Is 450cc too big for my body?

If you tried on sizers in the office, you can feel comfortable with the sizes of the implants chosen.   Your plastic surgeon, I am sure, helped you further refine the size of the implant based upon your chest wall measurements, soft tissue quality, muscular anatomy, and active lifestyle.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Every woman's anatomy is different and unique. A great surgeon knows how to tailor the result for each individual no matter what their breasts look like. Your unique anatomy reveals that the distance from the nipple to the bottom of your breasts is short in comparison to the distance from the nipple to the top of the chest. Women with your anatomy need smaller implants, or an anatomic shaped implant, to give you a beautiful result. It is important to understand that the implant always has to be centered directly behind your nipple. A moderate plus implant is round, which means half of the implant has to be above the nipple, and half has to be below the level of the nipple to give you a great shape. A 450 cc moderate plus profile implant is too big for your breasts. There is not enough space below the level of your nipple to fit half of that implant. That means most of your implant will be above the level of your nipple. This will make your breasts look abnormally high, and your nipples will point down. I have seen many, many patients come to me for revision because of this mistake. In order to avoid this problem, you need a smaller size implant, so that half of it can fit below the level of your nipple, or you need the anatomic (otherwise known as "gummy bear" implants). The anatomic shaped implant concentrates the volume of the implant below the level of the nipple so that the breast looks balanced. You can review my website to learn more about the shapes of implants and how they affect the shape of the breast. We have a device called the Vectra 3D imaging system that shows you what you will look like with any implant. Our patients are very happy with the choice of implant they make when using this system. I highly recommend that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine what procedure and implants would be best for giving you your desired result.

It is very difficult to determine the best lift you will need (recommended based on your photos) or the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 300 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. The same process goes for just filling in the upper part of your breast without becoming much larger. Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the link below including silicone vs saline implant
#toobig #breastimplant

In general, 450 cc implants are on the bigger side for a 5'0 foot person.  Cup sizes are not standard across bra makers, and implant sizing is NOT based on height, weight, BMI, or capsize.  This is something you will need to do IN PERSON with an experienced surgeon to determine what works well for you, and to get advice about if what you like is possible and what to expect with regards to results.  Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified.  I've attached a link where you can start your search. 

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery.  450cc may be a large implant for your frame.  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. 
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Size of implants is variable and based on your photos you should be able to tolerate the size implants you are interested in. 

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and congratulations on your upcoming surgery.  Based on your narrative and frame size I would advocate speaking further to your surgeon about the implant size, and profile.  I would be concerned that the 450cc may be a bit wide and large for your frame.  Ultimately appropriate communication with your doctor about your desired results is needed to ensure your happiness with your augmentation. Hope this helps.

 implant size
The best way to pick implant size is based on your breast and chest width and not the volume. As the implants get bigger, they get wider. When the width of the implant fits the width of your chest, it will look nice and fit your frame. If the implants are too small, you will have a gap between them and they may look too far apart. If they are too wide, they will make you look top heavy as they may be too wide and stick well out past the sides of your chest. There are ways to get a bigger or smaller look.This can be done by picking a different implant profile. The higher the profile, the narrower the base width of the implant. If someone has a very narrow chest and wants to be big, they should consider a higher profile implant. If someone has a broad chest and they do not want to be too big but want to avoid the gap and still have cleavage without projection, they should consider a lower profile implant such as a moderate. There are options in between these such as the moderate plus. I prefer the underarm approach so there is no scar on your breast. The new silicone is the only way to go as far a rippling as the new silicone ripples much less than saline, especially in the larger implants. I personally prefer the smooth round implants under the muscle placed through the under arm to give you the most natural look and feel. This also leaves you no scar on your breast.  Dr Scott Ennis - Plastic Surgeon – Destin and Miami , Fl

You need to be seen in person to determine what implants might be right for you. It also looks like you may need a little lift.

The best cosmetic result in
any particular breast augmentation patient depends on a variety of factors,
including: your individual anatomy, desired outcome, realistic expectations, a
thorough discussion with the plastic surgeon about the options, and an understanding
of the pros and cons of any particular implant choice. Proper sizing is not
just about the number of cc’s or a specific implant type or shape. The
thickness of your tissue, breast dimensions which include the width, height,
and projection, as well as chest wall width all need to be considered when
choosing an implant. Trying on implant “sizers” of various shapes and volumes
while wearing a tight t-shirt, bra, or bathing suit at a preoperative visit
will help you and your surgeon choose the optimal implant.
Keep in mind that following
the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly
what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your
desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and
cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would
suggest that your plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ASAPS)  that you trust and are comfortable with. You
should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.
Robert Singer, MD FACS
La
Jolla, California