I have a bwd of 13 cm and my breasts are close together. How important is the base width of the breast implant? (photos)

Question

I have a bwd of 13 cm and my breasts are close together. I am set on having small breasts and have tried on 200 Cc sizers and love them! How important is the base width of the breast implant and my natural breast width to the outcome of the procedure. I cannot imagine myself going any bigger, but I also do not want them to look like tennis balls (wide apart and fake looking).

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

For the purposes of a natural look the diameter of the prosthesis should not exceed the natural diameter of the breast.

Gehaan DSouza, MD · Answer

There are several important points to be made here

Your plastic surgeon should be the one guiding the decision making process when selecting implants.  The plastic surgeon should be placing an implant that fits each patient's breast well.  The base width is important when considering the implant because it serves as the base of the breast.
Here are some important points to keep in mind when selecting a surgeon for your breast augmentation

1. Make sure you have a good conversation about your goals with the plastic surgeon.  The surgeon and you can then come up with a good size and shape of implants to fit your breast.
2. Make sure the plastic surgeon is BOARD CERTIFIED by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is very important and you can search to confirm this.
3. Make sure you see the plastic surgeons before and after results.  Make sure his photos are in line of what you expect out  of the surgery.
4. Make sure you feel comfortable in the surgeons office with the staff.  At our office we treat our patients like family and are with them EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

Joshua B. Hyman, MD · Answer

The base diameter of the implant is the most important factor in choosing an implant and you should leave this part up to your surgeon. If you are at the point that you are measuring yourself than maybe you should find another surgeon because there may be a lack of trust in your relationship. I have not measured you: however, it sounds like you may want to explore a moderate profile implant. 200 is considered a small implant in the sense that it is below average nationally and you should strongly consider larger because it is common for women to wish they went larher. Make sure you are using some sort of sizing system when picking an implant size and not just cramming a implant under a padded bra. Hope this is helpful and good luck.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

The implant should be equal to the base diameter of the breasts.  If they are too narrow then the will fall off to the side and you will get a knuckling deformity medially when you lay down.  If you have a breast base width of 13 you want to use an implant of any profile that has at least the same width.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Base width is one of the factors considered for implant selection.   There are several factors that plastic surgeons consider when recommending implant sizes. I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients:1. Dimensional planning2. Gel Implant Sizing systemDimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. However, there are some limitations of what size we can recommend. For instance, some implants may just be too big for a narrow chest wall. Your surgeon can review this with you during the consultation.Gel Implant Sizing system – During the preliminary breast implant consultation, you will be provided with an option to “try on” a variety of implant shapes and sizes. You can also visualize the possible outcomes of your surgery which helps you to get that perfect size to give you the shape that you longed for. This way your preferences are known and you can then pick a range of implants that will “fit” just right to give a soft natural fuller look. Hope this helps.Dr. BasuHouston, TX

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Careful measurements of breast dimensions, including breast width diameter is part of the “process” of selecting the appropriate breast implant size/profile for a specific patient. Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering  breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant 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. I have found that the use of words such as  “natural” or "C or D cup”  etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate. Again, best not to discuss your goals and/or judge the outcome of the procedure performed based on achieving a specific cup size.
 The use of computer imaging technology may also be very helpful during this 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. I generally select appropriate breast implant size/profile after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers and viewing the patient's chest in the upright and supine positions.
I hope this (and the attached link) helps.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

In my experience measurement of breast Ace with is more important in evaluating the larger size of breast implant that can be tolerated then being a concern about smaller breast implants.  A 200 cc breast implant will be readily accommodated by your breast and if that is the size you want that is what you should have.It is important to focus on the look you want based on a breast implant sizing system of violation then being concerned about technical details.  For more information on choosing breast implant size please read the following link:

I have a bwd of 13 cm and my breasts are close together. How important is the base width of the breast implant? (photos)

Answers (7)

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