Can I fit a smaller implant than my BWD into my breast?

Choosing an implant size/style is an important decision which is best made in concert with your surgeon. Ultimately, options are based on a number of factors including: -Chest dimensions: This point is crucial as the width of your breasts defines the available "real estate" on which the foundation of your augmentation is built. This "foot print" is the absolute limit with which you are dealing. Too "large" is not so much the risk as too "wide." You cannot build a 3 acre mansion on a half acre plot. An implant which is too wide (exceeding the available space on your chest) will generally over hang laterally making it more noticeable and occasionally contributing to discomfort and nerve symptoms (numbness or tingling). This will also contribute to a more unnatural look. -Tissue quality: This relates to size in the sense that the implant will be suspended by your tissue. Too large an implant may place took large a stress on these suspending tissues leading to healing problems in the short term and bottoming out in the long term. -Patient desire (what is the look you are hoping to achieve?) My role as a surgeon is to manage expectations and guide you towards a prudent choice which can satisfy these reasonable goals. Often times, a surgeon can guide a patient toward a size/cc range and patients will make determinations on implant style/profile. Patient seeking more or less projection, or seeking a more pronounced or subtle upper pole volume increase can be guided toward an implant which will help them best achieve their goals. Additionally, technique variations (sub muscular vs. sub glandular) can also aid in obtaining the look you desire. There are a number of tools available to help guide patient/surgeon decision making including sizers, 3D imaging and goal photos. Each modality can help better communicate your goals to your surgeon and vice versa. With regards to your specific question, undercutting your base width is always preferable to exceeding it. The reason for BW measurement is to ensure your implant is adequately camouflaged by the overlying soft tissue. Exceeding this limit will likely lead to an easily perceived implant behind the native breast. Ultimately, it is important to not marry oneself to a particular "cc" as oppose to a particular "look." Communication is key as you and your surgeon create your custom surgical plan. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Dear hyyfa,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

One option is to use 3D breast implant imaging where you can choose the exact implant to simulate the appearance. In my opinion you'd be fine with the 335cc your doctor has picked out.

Hello and thank you for your question. BWD gives a good guide when selecting the proper implant, however it is common to go larger or smaller than this exact number based on a variety of factors (e.g. implant volume, projection, body type, etc). Something very important for you as the patient to remember is that if the difference is between 12.5 cm and 11.25 cm, it's less than half an inch difference from the implant diameter and your breast base width, so even though the number can be concerning, the actual size difference is essentially negligible. I hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Dr. Donald Groves
Plastic Surgeon

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

335 cc is not a small implant. It makes most women a full C. But if you wanted to go larger you could. You should discuss with your surgeon. If you go over 400 cc you’ll be at least a small D

Choosing an implant's base width needs to take into account your breast base width and the tissue thickness otherwise it will widen the breast significantly. There is generally a range of bandwidths that will fit a breast properly and this is based on measurements taken of the chest. The bigger issue here is that you seem to have a lack of trust in your surgeon, so perhaps you should question whether you've chosen the right surgeon. If you don't trust their advice on implant size why are you letting them operate on you?

Yes, the implant diameter can be smaller than your base, but we prefer not larger than your base. A 1 centimeter difference is very small and your will not have the "rock in the sock."

Breast width is a helpful factor when selecting an implant, but there is some wiggle room. I use sizers during surgery. This helps to get the patient as close to their surgical goals as possible while still respecting their anatomy and optimal aesthetics. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.