How do SIENTRA silicone gel implants compare to other brands of implants in size/ CC's ?

I absolutely understand what you are describing, but this is NOT due to discrepancies between one company's size and another company's implant size. 400cc is 400cc regardless of implant manufacturer, just like a gallon of gasoline is the same volume whether you buy it at Texaco or Shell.What you may be seeing can be due to different breast size starting points, different chest wall anatomies, and different size (height and weight) patients whose breasts would look different even if identical implants were used.Plus, and this has not been mentioned by any of my colleagues, you can never trust completely data on the internet, as it may have been remembered incorrectly by the patient, the doctor, or whomever added the implant information in the patient description! Perhaps not common, but this does occur. That is why I verify from the patient's chart each of the implant sizes I include on our office's website, and I add the photos myself. The same goes for my photos here on RealSelf.Probably a majority of my colleagues do the same, but I know some patients add their own data (and can read the implant cards incorrectly, add the implant information from memory, or add the information from the doctor's memory). The point here is that if 400cc looks smaller than 250cc, there is definitely something else going on other than manufacturer differences.Try on implants in the surgeon's office, and trust that the size you try is accurate (the sizes are embossed in the implants). Then, understand that 400cc in a bra or stretchy top will look larger than that same exact size compressed by submuscular placement. Thus, if you like the look of 450cc in a bra while sizing, I would likely recommend using somewhere near 520cc in your body to give you that "look" you liked while sizing.For more information, you may want to read my Comprehensive Guide to Breast Augmentation by clicking on the web reference link below. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Hi BreezeBaby,Each company has slightly different sizes, diameter and volumes.  I have had the same experience as you. I have noticed the same thing on websites, that some patients with large implants look only a little bigger and others with smaller implants look huge.  It must relate to the patients' preop dimensions.  The best thing you can do it to spend a lot of time preop deciding on your size.I already know you
are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon because Sientra only sells to BC
plastic surgeons (by ABPS - The American Board of Plastic Surgery)
who are members of ASAPS (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery) and or a member of ASPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons). So that is great! Also Sientra is the only implant company who has a warrantee (C3
Program) if you develop a capsule after receiving their textured implants for primary augmentation. They
have a special process which makes the texture. This implant shell
is unavailable elsewhere.  Here are some tips for you on sizing:  Cup size estimates can be misleading,
but I generally advise patients that they will experience an increase of
approximately one cup size per 200 cc. You can try on implants in the office by
placing them into a special bra.Approximately 50 cc (1-2 oz.) is added to the final volume to account
for flattening of the implant in the partial submuscular pocket. Once you
decide on a size you like, then add on about 25-50 cc, because in real life the
implant will be flattened slightly by your tissues.Multiple measurements need to be taken to fit
an implant to your exact anatomy. Have your surgeon's office show you the
charts of the implant dimensions for the various profiles of silicone and
saline from the manufacturer. Then you and your surgeon can piece
together the puzzle by matching your measurements, with your wishes, versus
your tissue cover and the available implants to arrive at a surgical plan.Keep in mind larger implants tend to have
more problems over the years.Since
silicone implants wrinkle less than saline implants, they might be your best
bet.You can also approximate this at
home by measuring out an equivalent amount of rice placed into a cutoff foot of
old panty-hose, and put this in your bra.Wear this around the house for a while, and see what you think.Implant size must square with assessments of
tissue cover, breast diameter, and chest wall width.
Multiple measurements of your chest wall are taken (seven in total). Implant size selection has been an issue of
much discussion. Therefore, I use a wide variety of methods, but the implant size is
always established preoperatively.Also,
patients are advised to bring reference photos demonstrating their ideal size
and shape. A photo album of patient pictures is maintained to assist them.
These photos ultimately help in determining where the implants will be placed,
since they can be shifted inside (to provide more cleavage), to the outside, up
or superiorly, and down or inferiorly during surgery. In determining the final
size selection, I always place the highest priority on the preoperative
measurements and potential tissue cover. Then, the patient’s verbal requests
are factored into the analysis.Our
average size over the last 6,000 implants was 350. All the best for your surgery, "Dr. Joe"

These are similar in size .  they come smooth ,  textured and highly cohesive gel shapedthey are only sold to board certified plastic surgeons

Thanks for your question. This is a very common discussion that we have with patients. Ultimately the size of the breast is based upon the volume of the breast gland and that of the implant. As you can imagine there is a wide spectrum of native breast tissue in augmentation patients. With my patients I measure their base diameter to determine the width of an implant that will fit on their chest. Implants are like shoes, if you wear a 6 you can't fit into a 4 or an 8. There will however be a range of implant sizes that ultimately will give you the most ideal fit. The implant chosen needs to be proportionate with your frame. Hopefully you can find a Board Certified plastic surgeon who is an ASAPS member via the Smart Beauty Guide to assist you in this. Best of Luck!

Sientra implant sizes are comparable to the two other implant company's sizes except that the range between implants as they get larger increases. If you notice that one person looks fuller than someone else, it may have to do with the type of implant shape that was used. An anatomically shaped implant has less volume at the top and fuller at the bottom to mimic a more natural looking breast. A round high profile implant will be narrower at the base but provide more projection. A moderate profile implant is broader but may not provide as much projection.  The choice of implant depends on your own breast measurements and your desired outcome. As you can see, there is a variety of shapes and sizes of implants that you may want to discuss with your surgeon. And implants that are placed under the muscle initially may not look as full as after recovery in 4-6 weeks when the implant has dropped into the pocket. I hope that this helps answer your question!

Implants no matter the manufacturer if you have 350cc then you have 350cc in every brand. What is different between manufacturers is the "projection" of the 350cc. All 3 manufacturers have different projections you can have a 350cc in the lowest profile that for the same width in another profile could be 500cc or so .  You should ask your surgeon to show you the particular brand implant in 350cc in all projections that the manufacturer makes,this will help you to see the difference. It may not help you choose the size.  Try them on with a sports bra and understand they may look slightly less projecting when under your muscle.

The final look in size of the breasts will not only depend on the cc chosen, there is more more to it.Other factors that contribute are : shape of the breast, type of the chest wall (flat, rounded or square) and the quantity of mammary tissue on the paatient breast.Always consider that the final size of your breast will be a summon of all these factors that your surgeon, not you, will have to considered.

may differ but the dimensions of similarly sized and profiled implants are very close to each other, differing my millimeters at most.  Your surgeon will have preferences and you can either go with them, or ask your surgeon to use what brand you desire.

In breast augmentation I have chosen to spend time reviewing
photographs with patients to fully understand their expectation of size and
shape. Many times this simply raises
more questions. I will make measurements
and use the implant guides to allow the patient to understand exactly the sizes
that are reasonable for their body type and measurements.



Please find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
and member of the Aesthetic Society using the Smart Beauty Guide. These Plastic Surgeons can guide you on all
aspects of facial surgery, breast augmentation and body procedures including
tummy tucks or mommy makeovers!

Than return to your boarded chosen PS to fully discuss the style/sizes/look you desire. DO NOT DO SURGERY until you are fully satisfied...