550cc HP saline implants or 500cc? I am 5'8 and 140 pounds and I am having my breast augmentation in 2 weeks.

It appears that you and your surgeon need to discuss things further.  Sizing is a complicated process that should involve measurements, photos and sizing on you.  Just going off of photos alone will typically disappoint one of you.I would recommend you discuss this again with your surgeon and get sized so you understand what that particular size looks on you.  Also going with such larger implant size you would want to know if the measurement of your body can handle that size of an implant.  From a height and weight standpoint I would say yes, but there is a lot more involved here.  One of the most common revision breast procedures is for size change.  This really doesnt have to be as long as you are both on the same page.Hope that helps.

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

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well;..based in your question its difficulted evaulate your case if the question dont have a picture, its recommended to get a consultation in personal with a plastic surgeon.

Thank you for posting a question.  It can be difficult to narrow down the final choice of breast implants, but your surgeon will be the best source of advice.  In order to make recommendations about sizing, a proper breast examination is necessary.  The surgeon can then make suggestions based on your unique breast features like skin tone, tissue thickness, nipple position, presence of any sagging, and breast dimensions.

Sounds like you are having saline implants. The difference between 460 cc fill and 550 cc fill is that the implant gets narrower, more projected but firmer. In general saline implants feel heavier than silicones because of the physical property of water. They also feel firmer if they are filled to the max. So, you need to have this cleared prior to your surgery. Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon.

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 Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

My advice after doing these many years is not to have saline implants overfilled that much or at all. Overfilled implants ripple more , are firmer, and will feel bouncy.  I go to the exact volume on the implant and find this gives better results.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation. It would be helpful to view pictures of your breasts and to know your individual breast measurements in order to determine if 500 or 550cc would be better.  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
 

Dear syd_abbott,
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

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. 
That being said, 500-550 cc is a small range (50 cc differential is approximately equivalent to a shot glass) and is likely to make only a subtle difference. If you are dissatisfied in either direction (bigger or smaller), it is unlikely that choosing the alternative would have made a substantial difference
And most importantly...remember to love the look...not the cup.
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
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