I Am 5'6, Size 32A my Surgeon is Recommending 220cc Silicone Implants HP Partially Under? (photo)

Thank you for your question. I think you have good reason to be concerned. Many surgeons never use high profile implants and 250 cc is a very conservative size for you. I rarely put in an implant less than 270-300cc but for someone your size it would typically require more volume like a 300-350cc implant. You should discuss this with your surgeon, and consider getting a second opinion. Good luck

I think you should be concerned. I rarely put in an implant less than 300cc. 

You need to discuss it with your surgeon, and if he is not willing to go larger, then get a second opinion.

Good luck.

Thank you for your question and for providing photos. While it is impossible to precisely select an implant size without examining you, I would admit that the implant choice would be of concern to me. It is not the absolute volume of 220cc that is of most concern to me. I would be more concerned with the base width of the implant. A breast augmentation always looks its most natural when the width of the implant matches the chest width. This avoids the big space between the breasts that some women get after an augmentation.

The 220cc high profile implant is a very narrow implant. My concern is that it would leave you with a gap between your breasts and look very implanted. A wider implant would give you a more natural look, and the profile of the implant could then be chosen based on how full you wanted to look. This three dimensional approach to implant selection should help you get a natural and more predictable result.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery.

Jeff Rockmore

The two main manufacturers of silicone implants, Mentor and Allergan do not make a 220cc HP implant. You should double check your doctors' recommendation. There is a 200 and a 230cc HP implant from Allergan which are very narrow, 9.7 and 10.0cm respectively. Mentor makes a 200, and a 225cc HP silicone implant. These are also very narrow, 9.7 and 10.1cm, respectively. You do appear to have a narrow chest but I doubt that these implants would fill out the diameter of a breast that would fit perfectly on your chest wall. The problem with implants that are too narrow is that the cleavage is not as close and the side of the brest can seem too flat. The breast should slightly stick out past the edge of the lateral chest wall when looking from the front. After 10 years of experience I never use such narrow implants. The implant diameter is almost always more than 11.0cm. This provides the best proportions. An 11cm implant is 300ccHP. Consider it.

This is the approach I use to help guide my patients with their implant size selection:

I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients:

1.Dimensional planning
2.Gel Implant Sizing system

Dimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. However, there are some limitations of what size we can recommend. For instance, some implants may just be too big for a narrow chest wall. Your surgeon can review this with you during the consultation.

Gel Implant Sizing system – During the preliminary breast implant consultation, you will be provided with an option to “try on” a variety of implant shapes and sizes. You can also visualize the possible outcomes of your surgery which helps you to get that perfect size to give you the shape that you longed for. This way your preferences are known and you can then pick a range of implants that will “fit” just right to give a soft natural fuller look.  If you have decided on saline implants, then based on the gel sizer you select, we can guide you to the saline implant that achieves a similar look.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Basu
Houston, TX