Should I do 450cc high profile silicone implants?

For smaller women, less than 200 cc may equate to one cup.  450 cc is likely more than 2 cups and may be closer to 3 in a small woman.Kenneth Hughes, MDBeverly Hills, CA

Hello,No one can tell you what 'overly done' or 'natural' means to you.  I can tell you that at your height 450 cc is a large implant. There is no formula for implant size and cup size, so don't expect to get the bra you wanted. Best to do in office sizing with an unpadded bra to determine in real time an implant that will make you happy in the mirror. Best of luck!

I appreciate your question.

The size of implant best for you is dictated by your
chest wall measurements. Once we determine that we can choose the profile
based on what you want or need to achieve.  If you are seeking a natural look, then the diameter of the implant should be equal to or, more ideally, smaller than the width of your breast. The breast width is a measurement of how wide your breast is at the base, which should be measured at the level of the nipple. Choosing an implant that is smaller in diameter than your breast width will avoid the "side breast" fullness that is often associated with a more artificial appearance. Other than that, you should choose the implant based on volume, not on the dimensions of the implant. You should choose a board certified plastic surgeon that you trust to help guide you in this decision.

Silicone will give you a fullness at the
top (upper pole fullness).

Silicone implants come pre-filled with a
silicone gel and are the softest implant available. They feel more natural,
which makes them a good option for women with less natural breast tissue; but
they require a larger incision. It may be more difficult to realize if this
type of implant has ruptured, so it is important to monitor them with annual
follow-up visits. Additionally, because this implant contains a more liquid
silicone (less cross-linked), if this implant should rupture, it will leak only
into the scar capsule formed around the implant but may cause some discomfort
or implant distortion.

Anatomic gummy bear implants might be a
good choice to give you volume.

These highly-sought-after, anatomic
implants offer a look that more closely resembles the natural silhouette of a
breast, and, therefore, are a very attractive option for individuals seeking a
natural-looking, aesthetic primary breast augmentation. Additionally, these
implants are an especially excellent option for patients undergoing restorative
or corrective breast surgery because they provide more stability, shape, and
reduced incidence of capsular contracture. Compared to other types of silicone gel
implants, the silicone in the cohesive gel implant is more cross-linked;
therefore, should the implant shell “rupture,” it maintains its shape and
silicone does not leak.

During your breast augmentation
consultation, you should feel the different types of implants available, and
try on various implant sizers in front of a mirror to help you to get an idea
of how you will look following the surgery. You should also bring pictures of
the look you would like to achieve, as well as a favorite top to wear when
trying on implant sizers.

The best way to assess and give true
advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic
surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Director-Beverly
Hills Breast and Body Institute

#RealSelf100Surgeon

From the description of your body size, using a 450 cc implant may be too big and give you an unnatural appearance.  It really depends on your native breasts, and how loose they are now.  Photos would be helpful.

Hello Petite Mommy and thank you for your question! I want to start off
by telling you what I tell many of my patients: Do not focus on cc's or bra
sizes as many women see their friend with "x" number of cc implants
etc and think that they have an idea of what they want. There is a lot that
goes into implant selection -- your breast volume, the amount of cleavage you
want to achieve, your base width, your rib shape/projection, etc. Without
seeing you and doing your measurements, it is difficult to assess accurately
your final breast size or shape. Please also keep in mind that when it comes to
bra sizes, most women are not accurately sized for their bras.
The most important thing to consider is really the size and look that is
appealing to YOU with the implants you choose. Many surgeons have sizing models
whether using bras with implants or computer simulation. I encourage you to
discuss with your surgeon many of these considerations when deciding which
implant and size to use during your surgery. Additionally, a breast implant is
a round object and has a certain diameter. Your base width on each side of your
chest will determine "how big of a ball" or what diameter implant you
can reliably go up to with a socially acceptable cosmetic outcome. The implant
will "augment" or increase the size of your breasts to an amount
acceptable to you and your surgeon. There is no direct correlation with height and weight and base width and you will need to know your personal measurement for the most accurate advice.
I have found great success having my patients try on a sports bra and then we pick the implants based
on
their measured breast base width. If your base width were to support for
example up to a 500cc implant, I would have you try on the 500cc
implants in
the bra and then the 485cc or 450cc implants and afterwards select the
implant
that made YOU the happiest. In reality, don't stress too much as this is
not a
HUGE difference and should be the fun part of the process. Go with what
is
acceptable based on your measurements and makes you happiest and make
sure to
weigh the pros and cons of the options you are considering. You can also
compare the moderate profile with high profile implants and see which
look you
like most. The profile of the implant will determine how much upper pole
fullness and overall projection you portray. In my opinion, in a young
patient like yourself, high profile implants will give the breasts a
nice shape for augmentation.
Make sure to seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in aesthetic breast surgery. I hope
this helps answer your question and best of luck to you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sean Kelishadi

The
best cosmetic result in any particular breast augmentation patient depends on a
variety of factors, including: your individual anatomy, realistic expectations,
a thorough discussion with the plastic surgeon about the options, and an
understanding of the pros and cons of any particular implant choice. Proper
sizing is not just about the number of cc’s. The thickness of your tissue,
breast dimensions which include the width, height, and projection, as well as
chest wall width all need to be considered when choosing an implant. Trying on
implant “sizers” of various shapes and volumes while wearing a tight t-shirt,
bra, or bathing sit at a preoperative visit will help you and your surgeon
choose the optimal implant.
There are no manufacturers' standards for cup sizing in the bra industry. The
cups of a 32 D and a 38 D are significantly different. Cup size varies from
manufacturer to manufacturer and even within styles from any particular
manufacturer.
Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other
website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you,
physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full
medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure
would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that your plastic surgeon be
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are
comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in
person.
Robert Singer, MD FACS
La Jolla, California

Thank you for the question. Online consultants will not be able to provide you with specific enough advice to be truly helpful.  
Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.

Given that your surgery is coming up soon, I would suggest that you spend additional time communicating your goals/concerns directly with your plastic surgeon, preferably prior to the date of surgery.

Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:

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 are 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 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. For example, I have found that the use of know words such as “natural” or "C or D cup” or "increase 2 cup sizes" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.
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, after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.I hope this (and the attached link/video, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

There is nothing natural about a HP implant ! How large you can go should be based on you nipple to fold distance which cannot be shorter than the radius of your chosen implant. If you pick an implant with a larger radius, this will result in your nipples not being centered on your breast mound and thus a suboptimal result.

By your web name "Petite Mommy", I'm assuming you have a very small frame.  If this is the case then a 450cc implant will make you quite full.  If that is what you are looking for then your PS would know best what size might be best for you.

If you have adequate skin and breast tissue distensability that implant sounds like it should achieve close to your goal size. Equally important however is your shape or contour and this can only be evaluated in surgery with a sizer in place.  Please watch the video above to learn how I chose to make an implant selection. Regards and best wishes.Jon A Perlman, MD FACSCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryGeffen/UCLA Division of Plastic Surgery, Associate Clinical Prof.Beverly Hills, Ca.