Help with implant size. How would 400-450cc look on my body frame? (Photo)

Always a tough question without looking at you in person, however based on your images and photos along with your height I think you may be going a little too big. For the average height patient I like to stay under 400cc unless the patient has specific requests. When patients try on implants in our office, we assist them in trying them on in clothes and then recommending an implant that looks a little big in the mirror- yet tasteful. The implant sits under skin, breast tissue, and (for most) under muscle so the size is not as dramatic after surgery. The other critical thing are your breast measurements. Since there are multiple implant shapes, the key is not to go with an implant that is too wide for your frame and breast width. I hope that helps. Best Wishes!!

An accurate answer is not possible without better photos and more information. The photos you have submitted suggest that you already have generous volume and implants in that size range would be aesthetically excessive.

The choice of implant size/volume is a decision which is best made in concert with your board certified plastic surgeons. There are a number of factors which play into the decision including patient desire and chest measurements. Ultimately, your surgeon, based upon his/her exam will be able to guide a prospective patient toward reasonable options.
There are a number of tools available to help a patient make decisions with range offered by their surgeon including sizers, goal photos and 3D imaging. However, it is important to realize that these are "guides" and not "guarantees." They are meant to offer a patient a reasonable estimate on which to make decisions.
3D imaging has become an effective tool for discussing options for patients and narrowing down choices. However, it is important to remember that the imaging is only a simulation. There is no substitute for the experience of a board certified plastic surgeon.
It is vitally important to spend time discussing the results of your imaging consultation with your surgeon. As this will help clarify your goals/expectations and guide your surgeon in adjusting those expectations as needed. With regards to your specific question of sizing, offering any solid advice without an in-person exam or measurements is difficult. None of your potential choices are unreasonable. Ultimately deciding between them depends on your goals. My recommendation is to begin with a profile. Then given your breast width evaluate the available options in the given profile for your specific width.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon

Dear ARJones93,

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 your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this:
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you.

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant sizing is a very important process. The working breast width (diameter is critical in selecting an implant with proper width. The skin stretch will determine how much projection is ideal. The skin pinch will then determine implant size/position as well. You need to find a highly experienced American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified Surgeon with extensive aesthetic breast surgery experience. Ideally, one with a 3D simulation software that can show the potential result on your direct breasts/tissues.

Hello,
You can always try a rice sizer which I believe is a great option as well to see what cc would be on you. Always do what you feel is right, I never choose the size for my patients.

When evaluating what breast implant would look best on most patients, the breast dimensions of; the breast width, as well as the distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold under stretch, help determine what breast implants will naturally fit within a normal boundaries and skin stretch of the breast. Any implant fitting within those measurements will fit and look natural because it will give you a bigger version of the breast that you started with. Implants which go beyond those boundaries require a release of the normal boundaries of the breast which can lead to predictable problems in the future. At 5‘4“ and your wished 120 pound final weight, you are petite. 400 cc or greater implants will look fairly generous on you. It may make sense for you to invest in some additional consultations to get some additional opinions of what’s best for you. Best wishes.

Thank you for your inquiry! Focus on how the implant looks on you, not the numerical size. Most plastic surgeons offices have implants you can try on during a consult. Bring in some tops and try on!
We would love to meet with you to discuss your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA