One Doctor Said I Can Go Up to 800cc Other Said I Can Only Do 400cc? Why Such a Differnce?

Cosmetic breast surgery is an art form as well as a technical procedure.  There are many ways to achieve a good result.  The one surgeon may be firm on the 400cc volume because the diameter fits your chest wall.  The other doctor may be trying to meet your cup size goal.  There are pros and cons that you must understand before having large implants placed.  Skin and breast tissue is permanently stretched.  Fallout and malposition may be more common as well.  Get a thorough explanation.

Breast implants come in multiple shapes and sizes. A breast implant should be placed under the pectoralis major muscle for the majority of cases, both for a natural breast shape and for safety in screening the breast with mammograms. Breast implant size and shape or profile, as well as what the implant is filled with is a very individual decision. It is great that you have seen two different plastic surgeons, and it is not uncommon to receive two different recommendations. I would agree that 400 cc breast implants are on the high side and that 800 cc breast implants should only be reserved for reconstruction. Of course, your goals and your plastic surgeons opinions should meet, however 800 cc is huge and for breast implants, bigger is not always better! 

I hope this helps.

Dr. Trussler

As you have noted, if you ask 5 plastic surgeons for their opinions, you will receive at least 7 opinions. Different plastic surgeons will give you different opinions based on their training, experience, and personal preferences. This range of opinions you will receive will potentially be confusing.

I would suggest that you do your due diligence carefully and choose your plastic surgeon wisely.  Then allow him/her ( after you have communicated goals clearly with him/her)  to choose the breast implants that will best meet your objectives.

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 cup” or "side boob" 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.


I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
 I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.

I hope this helps.