Is 520 cc high profile too big for me? (photos)

You need a formal evaluation by a licensed plastic surgeon and expert in breast augmentations to determine what is best for you and your goals.Proper breast enlargement is not a "cookie-cutter" procedure where the same technique is applied to every patient. Every woman who comes to my practice has unique needs and different goals for her breast augmentation. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I always listen carefully to each woman's concerns and thoroughly discuss the key points of the procedure. I also take into account their overall height and weight, the size and shape of the underlying chest and ribcage, the tightness and elasticity of the skin, and the amount of natural breast tissue. Prior to the procedure, we discuss and make decisions regarding location of the incision, whether to place the implant under or over the chest muscle, and what type of implant to use (I offer multiple types of silicone gel breast implants, as well as saline implants).
My experience performing thousands of aesthetic breast surgeries in a wide anatomical range of patients enables me to achieve consistently beautiful and natural results that are customized to each patient’s body type and goals. These results are the product of extensive communication, meticulous planning, and skillfully executed surgery.
I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in Breast Augmentation surgeries. - Dr. Cohen

Thank you for your question. Based on your description, 520cc may be too big for you. I would advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination to discuss all possible treatment options and what your expectations are.

Hello and thank you for your question. You are a great candidate for a breast augmentation.  520cc may be a large implant for you. 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.  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. 

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Thanks for your question! The appropriate implant for your frame is best determined by an in-person evaluation.  At that appointment, we would take measurements, listen to your goals, etc to determine what would fit and provide a good surgical result. If you like the appearance of the B&A's of your surgeon, he/she is board-certified and you trust him/her, you should be fine. Be sure to express any concerns you may have to your surgeon. Good luck! 

Patients often think in terms of cup size when considering augmentation. Unfortunately, devices are sized in terms of milliliters (cc) of volume. This can lead to some confusion when sizing. Additionally, it is important to remember that cup size itself is not standardized with variations from one manufacturer to another. Unfortunately, as many women can attest their cup size in an industry leader such as VS is not necessarily transferable to another brand.
Another point which is often under appreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume which is already present. The implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients (often times it will not even confer the same cup size to different breasts in the same individual...remember they are "sisters" not "twins"). 
A general rule of thumb is that 125cc can represent somewhere between 1/2 to a full cup size increase. Smaller volume differentials (25-50cc) are typically less consequential representing a volume change of less than a shot glass. However, I have found these numbers, at least anecdotally, to be of little help. Patients often present with notions/goals which do not correlate with these sorts of sterile volumetric assessments.
When sizing patients, there are a number of useful tools including:
-3D imaging (has the added benefit of offering a volumetric analysis of the pre-operative breast)
-Breast sizers (rice bags)
-Goal photos
I also recommend that patients commit to a particular look rather than a cup size. Once a patient settles on a look that pleases them the overall cup size increase becomes less relevant.The key to obtaining a natural result is to stay within the parameters defined by your BWD.
With regards to your specific question, "too big" is relative. As long as you have been accurately sized according to your unique BWD, you should be fine. Without measures, it is difficult to offer more concrete advice. Based on your photos alone, I would guess that 500+ cc implants would likely be very large on your frame (they would be large on most frames).
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

Dear Thoughtful5676,
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

Hello and thank you for the question.  An in-person consultation is needed to give you a useful advice and I would suggest that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Many factors including patient's desired breast size, skin envelope (both quality and quantity) and breast width diameter among others are important in selecting the implant size. Choosing the right implant should be a shared decision between you and your plastic surgeon. In a typical consultation, you try a variety of in-bra sizers and in combination with several other measurements that your surgeon will do, the final implant volume is selected. Use of 'goal pictures' is  also an effective way to communicate your goals with your plastic surgeon. My best advice is that you communicate your goals and aesthetic ideals with your surgeon as clearly as possible and trust your surgeon's skills and abilities to deliver what you are looking for.
Best wishes and good luck,

Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

An American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon will be able to guide you to the correct size implant for your measurements and desires.  Measurements of the chest wall and breast imprint width as well as knowledge of all breast implant sizes and profiles should make this process easy. Try on a profile bra with 520 cc silicone HP sizers under a tailored blouse, tight sweater, swimsuit, workout clothes, and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected. Then compare how you look and feel with the smaller cc silicone HP sizers.

I would recommend that you go with the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy.  Choosing an implant based on an aesthetic goal that exceeds your anatomic capacity may lead to complications and possibly revision. Based upon his/her credentials, trust your surgeon to make the best decision in the OR when the implants are placed.

The optimal breast implant size, shape and texture depends on many factors, which can only be determined by an in-person examination. These factors include your chest wall measurements, your skin elasticity, desired results, and the techniques and skills of your surgeon. An implant of the same size would give a different result on two different individuals as each would have a different chest wall measurement. The best course of action would be to schedule an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in-person examination and a detailed discussion of your surgical options.

I know you would like a definitive answer, but as you can see, that is not something we can give you in an online consultation.  An in-person exam is necessary to determine skin elasticity and compliance as well as your personal desires.  Pictures of a desired look are generally most helpful rather than cup sizes. You look like a good candidate, but I would encourage you to meet with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss options and set proper expectations.