Breast Augmentation Volume. I was thinking between 250-300cc but my doctor recommends 350-360. Any advice?

Natalia
You are correct to be careful in choosing breast implant size for a natural result because you are petite and have little or no body fat. However, you do have breast tissue, and your breasts are very small but attractive. You can easily obtain a natural result with round smooth implants in the sub muscular plane.​ I do think that 250-300 cc mL implants are a reasonable size for your body type and breast base diameter, but physical examination is always needed. I also like to use the implant in brassiere technique to try different size implants to assist patients in choosing the best size for them. Another nice exercise is finding photographs of breast size that you like, and show them to your plastic surgeon. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon And be certain that he or she understands your desires! Good luck!

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

Unfortunately, you have not told us your bra size. If you are size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. If you are size 36 or 38, each 200 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. From this, you can compute the volume required to achieve your desired goal. I recommend smaller implants.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Good morning,
Did your doctor give you a reason for wanting to go so much larger than you feel comfortable with? It is hard to say the proper size without measuring your chest, but it's your body and your choice. I would be concerned with going with a surgeon with such a different opinion as your own. If there are problems postop they are likely to say "I told you so- you made the wrong choice" and blame you for any issues so perhaps you should keep interviewing surgeons until you meet the one who makes you feel most comfortable and confident moving forward?

Most of my 5' 6" patients choose 350 to 400cc implants but I think they are looking for more volume than you might be. Usually they want to be a "full C". In my office we lessen the guesswork by having patients try on implant sizers which can give you a close approximation to what you will look like post op. I suggest you do this to help pick out your final size. Good luck.

With your height I suggest at least 300 cc's. Still a pretty conservative size. Under 300 cv definitely too small

Dear nataliak1991,
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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Once you have decided to have a breast augmentation, an important desition is to choose a good volume. You have to consider some anatomic aspects of your body. You are a tall patient and you have a narrow thorax, so you will have more benefit using a projected or extra projected implant. Also, a volume over 350 cc will not look very big or overdone because you are tall and have a large thorax. A volume around 250cc to 300cc will fill good your breast but will not be that much noticeable. One great way to determine how you will look and feel with an specific implant volume is to play with implant sizers, that way you will see how your body will look and how much weight you will be adding to you back. Last advice, after surgery patients get used to breast swelling and bigger breast size, due to swelling. Once the breast unswells they miss that volume, so if you are not sure of going for a 300cc or a 200cc implant (because you look and feel good with both of them), go for the bigger one.

When you go for consultation, try on both sizes so you can actually see how large they look and feel on your frame. Don't let your surgeon talk you into a larger size if you don't want it.

Thanks for your question. I suggest you try on some sizers at your plastic surgeon's office. It seems like 250cc may be too small for your frame. If you want to stay on the small side, then perhaps consider 300-325.
Best of luck!