Help! I Can't Decide on a Size, and my Surgery is on Friday.

There are different schools of thought on how to choose the best implant size, and no method is perfect. For example, it is not uncommon for a patient to feel that the implants are a bit too large early on, then just right when swelling subsides and they settle a bit, then maybe cuold be a bit larger after a few months. I presume that you had the opportunity to try samples on in a bra to preview them. Again, this is not a perfect way to predict, but it helps you and your surgeon communicate. Another approach is for the surgeon to make the decision based on measurements, but that is less likely to give results consistent with what the patient wants. I encourage patients to forget about cup size and focus on what looks right with samples in a bra, but having said that an increase of 2 cup sizes is usually at least 300cc. Sounds like you are in good hands and have had good advice.

Your situation is not uncommon when patients are left to figure this out based on photos, their friends outcomes from surgery and searching the internet. Getting to the final breast implant choice is a process. You need to do your homework by looking at and bringing in some photos that you like and that closely represent your starting breast size and shape. During consultation, we will discuss your subjective goals (desired look, cup size, likes and dislikes) and assess your anatomy. Validated 3D simulation tools like Vectra 3D are helpful but can not be completely relied upon. Taking in all of this information and using my experience I can then provide a narrow range of implant dimensions (volume and profiles) that will safely achieve your goals. Fretting between a 250 cc and a 300 cc is unnecessary. Both will achieve similar outcomes. Adding 50 cc (approximately 3 tablespoons) will achieve a little more roundness and fulness while likely fitting into the same cup size as the 250 cc. I disagree that the final implant size should be determined during surgery for most patients. Spend the time prior to surgery to make this important decision.

The difference between a 250 cc and 300 cc implant is relatively small and should not be a source of concern.

When deciding to undergo surgery you must be 100% comfortable with decision.  As a plastic surgeon, it is quite alarming to read that you do not know what size you want to overtake.  It makes me wonder, are you comfortable with your choice to have surgery in the first place?  A surgeon can recommend any size that they personally believe would look natural on your body, however, at the end of the day your decision is the only one that matters.  Due to the fact that you have consulted with 3 different plastic surgeons you clearly have received various opinions to help you make your final decision.  With that said, you do ot want to have any regrets-surgery is something that should be taken very seriously, so if you do not want to risk the unnatural look go with your instinct! Good luck!

I agree with my colleagues that the implant size should be determined by the Plastic surgeon after adequate consultation with the patient. However, the patient should have the final decision. This should be a joint effort.  The goal of the consultation should be to educate you and allow you to make an informed decision on the proper size to meet your desired breast size.

Your question suggest that you did not spend enough time with your Plastic Surgeon. Choosing the correct implant size is a very technical and complex procedure. If you have any doubts, please request another visit with your Plastic surgeon. Try on the implant size and make the decision with your surgeon. If your trust your surgeon, go with his recommendation. Good luck.

I also recommend you try on different size implants to determine what size you would be most happy with. This is a very common problem with patients who are simply told what size implants they should get. Would you buy a car without driving it?  That said there is not a tremendous amount of difference between a250cc and  300cc implants once it has been in for 3 months and your breasts have had time to adjust to them.

"trying on" a breast implant sizer while wearing a non-padded bra and a fitted top will allow you to see the what different sizes of breast implants actaully will look like on your body type. 

Doing the "rice test", or even a computer simulation can also be helpful.

Deciding on a number without first seeing yourself in a mirror is not the best alternative in my opinion.

Good luck with your surgery, but you really should not have too many doubts at this point if you had an adequate consult.  You can always do the rice test and see what you like.

You forget top post a photo. So my guess is follow your chosen surgeons advise, otherwise if you are that unsure reschedule the operation. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

This is a very very very comon question. First of all most patients want a "natural" look but almost all love their look regardless of how "natural" they look. Most patients are concerned about going too large but almost all feel that they could have gone larger once the augmentation is done. 

The larger the implant relative to the breast tissue, the less natural the result. Saline also is les natural than the gel implants especially if the patient has little breast tissue.

Just to cause you more confusion i would say use 300 cc gel implants. But this is something that is best discussed in person with your Dr.