Are 400 cc Implants Too Big for Someone with AA Cup? (photo)

Judging by your pictures, you could certainly tolerate bigger implants, but I would strongly suggest two things: 1.) Get true subfascial placement not submuscular and 2.) get low profile implants.

 

As a cyclist, any augmentation involving the muscle will be strange looking and feeling when you cycle or do anything involving arm movement.  I use  a unique technique called cold-subfascial augmentation that preserves complete fascial support without involving the muscle but there are other subfascial techniques that will serve you well.  Do not go with subglandular either as this technique will give your breasts a very low aesthetic lifespan.  I hope this helps!

 

 

All the best,

 

Rian A. Maercks M.D.

Thanks for your question.  Thanks also for the excellent photos including your base width. I am concerned you do not have much skin or stretch.  400 cc may be hard to pull off even with a high profile device. Also, larger implants could interfere with your cycling. Good luck.

Implant size is subjective as to which size is best for you.  I, however tend to agree with the recommendation of something in the low 300's.  They mat be a little smaller than you might ideally want, but given the fact that you are very thin and athletic, they will be less of a problem interfering with exercise  and wearing a sports bra. Try finding photos of other women similar to you on the internet where the size implant used is designated and you will become more comfortable making a size decision.

For your stated objective, then your surgeon's recommendation is sound. The size of the implants are based on a combination of a patient's goals
and objectives and her anatomy. In order to provide a natural looking
augmentation, the surgeon needs to evaluate many factors including soft
tissue coverage, skin laxity, chest wall width, breast imprint width,
the shape of the breasts and relative level of constriction to ensure
that the breast implants are appropriate for your body. Consult in
person with the other 3 experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to
understand your options.

If you are a competitive cyclist, it may be worthwhile to consider a subfascial/subglandular approach to your implant placement.  In order to make an accurate size recommendation, I would need to assess your chest wall and breast mound measurements and characteristics.  Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection.

Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.
The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor.   The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant.   It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you.
I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.
Dr. Gill

Without a formal exam it is diffiuclt to say what would be best for you.  If your skin is a bit loose and the dimensions are appropriate, a 400 cc implant may be OK. Hard to say without the exam.  To get a rough idea in your mind, it may be beneficial to perform a "baggy test."

Thank you for the question and pictures. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give you precise advice without a full consultation;  this would involve direct examination and a thorough discussion of your goals.

I would suggest that you do the following:

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're 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 which operation and/or 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 “C to full C”  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.
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 hope this helps.

A good plastic surgeon can grow skin on your breast to any size you want. Implants under the muscle need 50+ more cc's to look the same size as sizers in your bra. They will not look fake. The commonest reason for re-operation is going bigger. Don't let the doctor tell you what size you should have. Find a surgeon who'll give you what you want.  Dr Foster

Your question is a good one.  Generally, the larger the implant, especially in a woman with little native breast tissue, the more artificial the result will look. This has to do with too much upper fullness, as well as proportion with the rest of your body.

Make sure you have shown the photos of the finished look you like to your surgeon. During surgery he should be able to try test sizers under the muscle until finding the volume that most looks like what you want. If he plans to go to the OR with just the one predetermined preop size you might want to try a different surgeon. It is the surgeon's job, not yours, to pick the volume that gives your preferred look. And you never really know what the look will be until you try that volume in place under the muscle.