Trying to decide between 375cc or 400cc implants. Any suggestions? (photos)

Question

I am 5'5 and 130 pounds with very broad shoulders. My main concern with implants is not having cleavage; at my consultation I told the doctor I wanted to look proportion and he suggested a 375cc silicone implant. After looking at pictures I think a little bit bigger wouldn't hurt because I want a full C or small D cup. (I'm starting at a 34A)

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, did your plastic surgeon indicate that 375cc was the maximum safe size they recommended for your body type, or were they just recommending that size because you mentioned you wanted a more proportionate result?  Perhaps the 400cc size would be reasonable for your body frame - you could check with your surgeon and try on the larger sizers.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

In regards to implant size and type, there are many variables in recommending 
implant size/type. I base my implant recommendation on patients' body 
(chest height, chest width, existing breast tissue) as well as their 
desired look.  Review before and after photos and see what kind of look 
that you want. Please share your desired look with your plastic surgeon 
and see if she can meet your expectation.Implants come in different types (silicone, saline), shape (round, anatomic), and profiles and volume. More meaningful recommendation can be made based on direct examination and in-person consultation. Please visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon.  Best wishes.

Michael B. Tantillo, MD · Answer

Breast implant selection is best done in the setting of a formal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Choose your surgeon carefully; this is the most important decision you will make in regards to your breast augmentation. All members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are board certified in plastic surgery with experience in cosmetic surgery.  surgery.org will give you a list of such surgeons in your area.

Come to your consultation prepared to discuss your aesthetic goals - bust fullness, figure balance and breast shape.  Bringing photos to illustrate your point can be helpful.  After an examination your surgeon will be able to discuss and recommend particular implants that will best achieve your aesthetic goals.  Some surgeons will use various tools to help patients choose their implants.  Implant sizing, 2D photography, 3D photography and photo gallery review are a few.  Ultimately I believe the patient should make the final decision with regards to the implant.  I believe the surgeon's role is to offer advice; I do not think the surgeon's role is to dictate which implants patients choose.

John J. Obi, MD · Answer

Actually you probably would not be able to tell the difference between the 375 and 400 cc implants as that is less than 2 tablespoons difference overall.  I would suggest you visit your surgeon and try different sizers on to get a more realistic idea of the desired size.  You should be settled on the desired size before your surgery and trying different sizes may be beneficial.JJO

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you are nailing down between two sizes, then a baggy test  may help nail down the final size. Best of luck.

Steven M. Lynch, MD · Answer

Hi,  Yours is an easy question to answer.  Stop struggling for a choice of 25 cc difference.  25 cc is esentially one tablespoon and two teaspoons!!!   15 cc is a tablespoon. Three teaspoons are in a tablespoon.  Take your breast size and add it to any implant to get your total volume.  Suppose you are 150 cc....A cup or so.  Now you add 400 cc.  Total volume is 550.  If I augmented you with a 400 cc on one side and a 375 cc on the other, making you 550 on one side and 525 cc on the other, then I could not tell the difference !   If I let you see an implant of 525 and another of 550 and had them on a table, neither you nor I would be able to tell the difference.  I prove this to patients in the office all the time.  Stop worring.  Both win.  One word of caution. Understanding that I cannot tell your actual volume and this is a discussion only, I do have a comment that you might want to consider carefully.   You want a full C to D cup in your question statement.  Be careful that BOTH of these implants  might be too small !  Be very detailed with your plastic surgeon.  It is more common for post augmentation patients to say they went too small rather than too large.   Good luck with your procedure.

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello beachgirl16. There is not a very noticeable difference in 375cc vs 400cc however if the devices are of differing profiles that could make a difference. You should return to your plastic surgeon to discuss your options and expectations. Good luck. Dr. Burnett

John Davison, MBChB, MSc, FRCSEd(plast) · Answer

HiThanks for your question. There is little difference between the two really. Yiou are probably better choosing the larger one - unless your surgeon feels that it is too wide for the base width of your breast. Good luck

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

There is not much difference between 375cc and 400 cc implants. I would suggest going back to your surgeon and discussing the size again. You might even try on a 375 cc and 400 cc sizers so that you can get a better idea of the two sizes. For my women who cannot decide between two sizes so close together, we usually choose the larger size.

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there, thanks for sharing your question and photos. It is hard to tell from your pictures what implant you will benefit most from. Either consider consulting with a different plastic surgeon for a second opinion, or discuss with your current surgeon that you wish to be a bit bigger. They will appreciate the open communication, but also remember to take what they have to say into consideration. Best to you. -Dr. Coan

Trying to decide between 375cc or 400cc implants. Any suggestions? (photos)

Answers (10)

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