375cc high profile silicone implant appropriate for small petite frame? (Photo)

Question

A surgeon recommended 350-375cc range high profile, silicone breast implants placed under the muscle with an inframammary incision. I liked the look of 350cc sizers, however I'm concerned about the high profile with a 375cc implant potentially being too large on my frame. I am 5'3", around 100 lbs and pretty narrow/athletic/petite build. I don't want anything disproportionately large in clothes, but I don't mind a bigger/rounder look in a bikini. Do you agree with this recommendation?

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

If you like the 350cc sizers, then I think you will be happy with the HP 375cc implants. One advantage of a HP implant is that it will be a narrower implant that should fit your petite frame. Good luck!

Steven H. Warnock, MD · Answer

Hi! A 350-375cc high profile silicone seems like a reasonable implant choice, but I cannot say with full certainty without knowing your measurements. One of the most important measurements is the width of the breast.  You do not want an implant that is too wide or too narrow for your breast.  Knowing the dimensions of the breasts are important to determine what implant size and profile will fit the patient properly. If you like the look of the 350cc sizer when you try it on, then chances are you will like the 350cc or 375cc implants once they are in.  The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your decision.  It may be a good idea to follow up with your plastic surgeon again and discuss your concerns.Best of luck,

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello JP00998. There's no way to make a diagnosis online and to give you a recommendation for size without an examination. So this is just a guess. Based on your measurements bigger than 350 or 375 seem reasonable in my mind. There are many sizes that would look great on you and you should work closely with your PS to find the ideal size. Here are some tips that work really well in my practice:1) Guiding patients to explore reasonable options for breast implant size, usually two to three similar sizes, which allows the patient to visualize how different volumes affect their breast cup. 2) The best guide for a final breast implant size recommendation is derived using measurements from the patient’s own breasts and chest. 3) When measurements are considered then options for sizes can be presented. 4) I use the Mentor Volume Sizing System of breast sizers to demonstrate how these different volumes will look on a patient’s body. 5) This methods offers good reliability and is simple to use, but is not perfect.When patients feel confused we ask them back to the office to try sizing until they're very confident with the choice they're making. Best, Dr. ALDO.

Mark E. Mason, MD · Answer

Your concerns are very common especially for women who are thin or petite. This range of implants is the
most common in my practice since most of my patients want to be able to wear a
C cup bra. If you are narrow chested,
HP implants will give you the projection you want without being too big on the
sides under your arms. I would advise you to look at your surgeon's before and
after photos to find body shapes that are similar to yours and see what size
implants have been used to achieve their results. In my practice, we allow patients during their consultation to try on different implant sizes to get an idea of how they look on their own body. During the preoperative appointment, patient try on implants again within the recommended and desired range. Implants come in many sizes and shapes, and your board-certified Plastic Surgeon should be able to recommend the appropriately sized implant. Some surgeons use 3D imaging (which does not guarantee results), but the best way to see how an implant looks is to actually spend time trying on the implants as well as choosing to have surgery with a surgeon who has a wealth of experience.Good luck with your surgery!

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

Just remember to see a board certified plastic surgeon who takes the time to properly examine and evaluate you and measure you. The goal of breast augmentation is to optimally fill your breast pocket and measurements are needed to help ensure that. I typically take a series of 5 measurements that help me determine the size and also help me deliver a 24 hour recovery for my patients. I prefer using round, smooth silicone implants (moderate plus profile) because they give more of a natural look versus high profile implants. They also don't thin your overlying breast tissue as much. For more information about the 24 hour recovery procedure, please visit the following link. Good luck!

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thanks for your question
on which implant size would be best for you. 
Right now it sounds like you’re considering 350cc and 375cc.  Since there is no way to say definitively
over the internet which size would be optimal for you, take comfort in the fact
that the surgeon uses your unique measurements and is able to provide you with
a general range.  In many cases the board
certified plastic surgeon can best be your guide as they’ve met with you in
person and heard your aesthetic goals. You may consider doing 3-D imaging;
however with nearly all the breast cases we’ve performed, we’ve found patients
enjoy doing a live “try on” session where they actually can “try on” the
implant in a non-padded bra in our office. 
This does not give an exact measurement of outcome, rather it gives a
nice idea of what to expect. For patients who desire a more natural look we
like to recommend the shaped implant. 
For patients who desire a more full, voluptuous look we recommend a
higher profile implant. And remember that all breasts have at least some amount
of asymmetry (we like to say they’re like sisters and not twins).  My very best to you. – Dr. Brian Coan

Beverly Friedlander, MD · Answer

Hi, I have review the responses ahead of mine.  They are all valid and appropriate.  Rather than repeating them I will give you my opinion, keeping in mind that I am not privy to the interaction you have had with your PS and therefore have no knowledge of what you have expressed as your desired outcome.    Hi profile implants will more than likely fit well on your frame.  That being said, they tend to look fake because  of their increased projection.  If you want a more natural look, I would suggest a moderate profile implant keeping within the actual measurements of your chest.  Good Luck.  Dr bev

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The best
cosmetic result in any particular breast augmentation patient depends on a
variety of factors, including: Your individual anatomy, realistic expectations,
a thorough discussion with the plastic surgeon about the options, and an
understanding of the pros and cons of any particular implant choice. Proper
sizing is not just about the number of cc’s. The thickness of your tissue,
breast dimensions which include the
width, height, and projection, as well as chest wall width all need to be
considered when choosing an implant. Trying on implant “sizers” of various shapes
and volumes while wearing a tight t-shirt, bra, or bathing sit at a
preoperative visit will help you and your surgeon choose the optimal implant.

There are no manufacturers' standards for cup sizing in the bra industry. The
cups of a 32 C and a 38 C are significantly different. Cup size varies from
manufacturer to manufacturer and even within styles from any particular
manufacturer.

Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other
website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you,
physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full
medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure
would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that your plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are
comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Scott R. Brundage, MD · Answer

It is my feeling that when you choose an implant size it should fit your frame. In essence you should fit "top to bottom". You should want to simply look proportionate. Whether a 375 cc would be right for you would best be determined ahead of time with 3D imaging. This allows you to see a 3D image of yourself and then "place" these implants using a software computer program and actually see your outcome. Studies have shown this type of imaging is 90 % plus accurate. Using external sizers is another way but will not be as accurate since the implants will look a bit different when they are back below the muscle. If your surgeon does not have 3D imaging, show him/her photos from the internet from sites that show before and afters. Pick someone with a similar build and the outcome you would like. Then in surgery sizers are actually placed and you are matched up to the photos you showed.Hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your photographs, I think that you are starting at a good place and should have a very nice outcome with breast augmentation surgery.    Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery (regarding breast implant type/size/profile selection) is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. In bra sizers can be useful communication tools also. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or "C or D cup" or "bigger/rounder look" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. The use of computer imaging may be very helpful during the communication process.
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery ( after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers).
I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to breast augmentation for petite patients), helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

375cc high profile silicone implant appropriate for small petite frame? (Photo)

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