Could I Go from 500 Cc to 1000 Cc?

Question

I currently have 500 cc HP silicone implants and want to go larger, desirably to 1000 cc. I am 5'10" and weigh 185 lbs. I have always had small upper body but large hips and legs. I like large breasts and want mine to be proportionate to the rest of my body, otherwise why bother going thru painful and expensive surgery? Most doctors don't talk about extra large implants, in fact they seem to be discouraging the idea. How should I approach the question during a consultation?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Simply by providing a photo from a plastic surgeon's web site demonstrating what you would like to look like. It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 350 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the below link.

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

I have lots of experience with XL implants, and the most important thing is to find a surgeon willing to go as big as you want, have a consultation, and see what their recommendations are. XL implants can be tricky and certain steps need to be taken to reduce the likelihood of complications, but patients do love them!

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

I am not surprised that you are meeting some resistence from many Plastic Surgeons. Any implant in that range is considered very large and the reasons we discourage it is because it can have significnatly higher rate of complications. It can also cause atrophy of the breast tissue that you have and also can cause a concave deformity of your ribcage, not to mention potential problems with you back, neck and spine. If you are determined to do this, you will need to find a board certified plastic surgeon willing to do it, which may be difficult. Please do not go to a non-board certified plastic surgeon or someone who says they are a "certified cosmetic surgeon".

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Body image is different for each individual. What one person feels is attractive others may think differently. The main problem with overly large implants is due to stress on the soft tissue due to the weight of the implant. Time, weight and gravity are not on your side.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

First the largest implant made in the US is 800 cc's. Saline implants can be overfilled to 1000 I suppose. Either way, these implants are very large and the heavier the implant the more problems you can have.

Could I Go from 500 Cc to 1000 Cc?

Answers (5)