For a 13 cm Diameter Implant How Large of a Pocket Should Be Made?

Question

I was wondering if there is an ideal pocket size verses implant width rule that surgeons follow. If I have 13cm diameter implants placed then how large of a pocket should be dissected? Thanks.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Taking into account that healing and capsule formation will cause a bit of scar tightening, leaving a bit of an "extra" space makes sense, and also allows your breasts to "move" naturally when you recline and stand. This allows softness and avoids (or decreases the chances of) hard, unnatural "Baywatch coconuts." Implant displacement exercises (often imprecisely called "massage") also help maintain a pocket that is a bit larger than the implant, allowing maximum softness and natural movement and "feel."

	But this is something that is truly a surgical detail you shouldn't need to be worried about. After all, you can't be telling your surgeon how to do the dissection while you're asleep, and if you are concerned s/he may not be doing the pocket dissection properly, then you should be seeking another surgeon!

	Still, this is a reasonable question, and your chosen surgeon should be able to answer this and a multitude of other details that reassure you his/her technical capability and precision is not something you need to be worrying about! For more information, click on the web reference link below. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

The pocket size needs to be at least 13cm wide. There is more to be considered however. You want the implant centered behind the nipple, so you want the pocket to be 6.5cm to the outside of the nipple, and 6.5 cm to the inside of the nipple. The pocket can be wider toward the inside, allowing a bra to push the implants in, but you must maintain adequate distance from the mid-line to avoid symmastia. Also, you do not want the pocket too wide on thr outside, or implants will fall off to the side when you are supine. 

	Additionally, you do not want the implant to extend beyond your natural breast tissue.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Assuming a 13 cm diameter implant is a good fit for your chest wall and your breast imprint, a 13 cm pocket should suffice for a 13 cm implant.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If your implant is 13 cms wide, then a pocket shoudl be developed that is slightly larger than the implant.

Tal T. Roudner, MD, FACS · Answer

The minimum diameter of the pocket for a breast implant should be very slightly larger then the diameter of the breast implant. If it is an anatomic breast implant even more so to avoid its rotation. For smooth round implants it should be slightly larger the the implant to avoid a capsular contracture. Many measurements of your breast should be taken prior to surgery to ensure the right implant is used.

	Good luck

For a 13 cm Diameter Implant How Large of a Pocket Should Be Made?

Answers (7)

Answer: Pocket dissection for implant

Answer: Pocket dissection for implant

Answer: Diameter of pocket for a breast implant

Answer: Diameter of pocket for a breast implant

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

For a 13 cm Diameter Implant How Large of a Pocket Should Be Made?

Answers (7)

Answer: Pocket dissection for implant

Answer: Pocket dissection for implant

Answer: Diameter of pocket for a breast implant

Answer: Diameter of pocket for a breast implant

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.