5'5", 145lbs. Is 475cc too large? (Photo)

Hello and thank you for your question. You are a great candidate
for a breast augmentation.   In order to determine if 475cc would be a good size for you, it would be helpful to know your individual breast measurements.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.  This entire surgery
can be performed with a small incision technique.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a
surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

It is very difficult without assessing you in person to know if the implant sizes you mentioned will be a good size for you. Keep in mind that implant size selection not only depends on your personal preference, but it also depends on your unique measurements. There are various types of implants that can help you attain the look you are going for. A thorough consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will allow you to communicate what your desired result is and will inform you as to what is possible to achieve your goals. We have a device called the Vectra 3D imaging system that shows you what you will look like with any implant. Our patients are very happy with the choice of implant they make when using this system. To learn more about breast augmentation, you can read “A Comprehensive Guide to Breast Augmentation.”

Thank you for your picture and question. Implant sizing is a difficult process and takes a number of conversations between you and your board certified plastic surgeon. I will caution you that in considering a 475 cc implant, I do not think you are looking for a "natural look," and that is OK, but you need to be ready. Usually a rough estimate is that 150-200 cc is about one cup size in change, but this is only a guess. Using that metric, you are going to change size by 2-3 cup sizes. If that is not your goal, then you need to go back and discuss with your plastic surgeon about your goals. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, you appear to have a nice starting place and should have a nice result with breast augmentation surgery. Based on your photos, height, and your weight imagine that a 475cc high profile implant would give you a large and "augmented" look.  High profile implants tend to look less natural. However, the most important factor when sizing implants, is working closely with your surgeon in person to find the implant size that gives you the look that YOU desire. Careful measurements of your breast and chest wall will help determine which size implants will fit within your natural breast footprint. Taking into account your desired look, and your measurements, an implant is chosen that specifically fits your body. Unfortunately, online recommendations are not that helpful. Make sure that you have a good relationship with your plastic surgeon, so that you two can work together to find the right size. If you liked the look of the 475cc implants, then it sounds like you're ready to move forward. Good luck with the procedure!

It is very difficult to say if 475 cc would be too big or not.  Measurements would need to be taken of your breasts including base diameter in addition to sizing you in the office.We spend a great deal of time on sizing the patient during our preoperative appointment.  We look at photos together, consider the measurements, consider the patients desires as well as size the patient in the office with specially designed sizers.  Once our patients leave our office after their sizing they feel very confident in their decision.I would probably suggest that you spend some more time with your surgeon on having measurements taken and ask your surgeon for his/her advice on what would fit best in your body, in addition to possibly getting sized in the office.Hope that helps.

The implant selection should be based on a combination of your desired size, soft tissue dynamics, breast base diameter and skin elasticity.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach Trained, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dear toribelle,determining the ideal breast size and matching that goal for the patient is the most difficult part of breast augmentation. It starts and ends with the patient. 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 its 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, everyone of them have 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.
Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Don't get hung up on cc's.  A well trained surgeon will place sizers into the pocket during surgery.  Diameter is the primary assessment. This establishes cleavage and lateral fullness.  Once diameter is established, projection can be adjusted with the profile (moderate +, high profile, ultra high, etc.)  We like to progressively enlarge the breast with sizers. The breast enlarges symmetrically at first.  At a certain point the lower pole cannot stretch any further and the upper pole enlarges disproportionately until it looks unnatural, or the nipples point down.  We then back off one size and this gives us what we call "classy but juicy" in the patient with normal but small breasts to start with.  Drooping nipples, ptosis, tuberous breasts, severe asymmetries, etc., demand more sophisticated analysis and surgical options. Patients with wide cleavage to start with, are well advised to place silicone implants over the muscle to avoid armpit breasts and jumping breast deformity.  Be sure to consult several surgeons and chose  one that best evaluates your anatomy and offers common sense options.  There is no such thing as cup size.  If you buy ten bras, you will be a C in one, a D in another, and a B in another.   We like to think of a full "C" small "D" look, as a full but natural with a slope on the upper pole and proportional to the body shape of the patient.  There is no way to measure it because every patient has unique proportions.  A 500cc implant in a 4 foot patient might be grotesque, yet too small for a broad shouldered athletic 6 foot woman.

Thank you for the question. 
 Based on your photograph, I think that you are starting at a good place and should have a very nice outcome with breast augmentation surgery.


There are several steps taken to select a specific size/profile breast implant for a specific patient. These steps will vary from one practice to another.  I prefer to have a wide selection of implants (all profiles) available in the operating room. I use intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison. I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible. 


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.


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 words such as “natural” or "C or D cup” 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.


***In your case, my best advice: more communication. It will definitely worth spending more time (prior to the date of surgery) with your plastic surgeon to discuss further.  As you know, it will be important for many reasons, that you feel comfortable that you and your plastic surgeon are on the "same page" prior to proceeding.
I hope this helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with. 

 Thanks so much for your question. One important thing to consider is the width of your chest. 475cc implants come in a variety of different widths. For instance, the company Allergan makes five different widths for each volume. So depending on your chest with we can find an exact fit that would be more appropriate for your frame. So although it's important to decide the right volume it's also very important to find the correct width. With that said, a 475cc implant is a large volume. However, I think if you find the correct width, so that it fits your chest you can still be a nice overall result. Good luck.