450cc too big for me? Breast lift with silicone implants (Photo)

Question

I’m having a breast lift with implants, due to sagging and obvious asymmetry. I am 5’3”, 125lbs, currently in 32DDD bra. I had my pre-op and choose 450cc silicone implants (425cc in the left/smaller boob) to achieve 32D/32DD. He will have to take much more tissue from the right to make them symmetrical. I’m concerned the 450/425 cc will be too big? Will that get me 32D/32DD? I don’t want to be DDD after the lift; I prefer more manageable breast size.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A small implant with a breast lift would produce a nice result to meet your goals. You could opt for the breast lift and have breast fat transfer a few months later.  Try on a profile bra with various silicone moderate cc sizers (400-450cc) under a tailored blouse, tight sweater, swimsuit, workout clothes, and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected. Adjust the cc's until you can convey to your PS the natural-looking results you are seeking.  Based upon his/her credentials, trust your board certified plastic surgeon to make the best decision in the OR when the implants are placed.

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. An in-person consultation could provide the best options for you. You may benefit from the Breast Augmentation procedures combined with achor type lifting. The ideal size can be set only during in person examination taking into consideration your chest wall, weight and body proportions. The decision of the implant's place made depending on your breast tissue. I personally prefer inframammarial approach, which is also the most common technique in the world, as this allows the most beautiful shape of breasts on one hand and minimizes potential complications in the post-operative process on the other hand. 
An experienced Board certified plastic surgeon could evaluate your case properly. To find out more please click on the attached link. 
  
Best Regards

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   
It is definitely worth spending more time (prior to the date of surgery) with your plastic surgeon to discuss further.  As you know, it will be important for many reasons, that you feel comfortable that you and your plastic surgeon are on the "same page" prior to proceeding.  Show your plastic surgeon what you mean by your goal of "DD cup"  using as many visual aids as possible.   As you can imagine, these terms can be interpreted differently by different people. This additional communication will go a  long way when it comes to helping alleviate your anxiety prior to proceeding.
 Some general thoughts regarding this combination procedure may be helpful to you:
 Generally speaking, patients undergoing the breast augmentation/lifting combination operation should understand that it is significantly more complex than breast augmentation surgery only and that it is associated with a significantly higher risk of complications and need for additional surgery. 
Also, patients undergoing the combination breast augmentation/lifting surgery should understand that there are limits as to how large of an outcome can be achieved, given that breast lifting surgery does involve breast skin removal. On the one hand, breast augmentation surgery is expanding the breast skin “envelope” while breast lifting is (by definition) tightening up the breast skin envelope. These 2 forces are counteracting each other. 
Therefore, it becomes important to remove the appropriate amount of breast skin and to use the appropriate size/profile of breast implants to balance these 2 forces appropriately and to allow for achievement of the patient's goals while minimizing risks of complications. 
In my practice, "tailor tacking" is an important part of the mastopexy and mastopexy/augmentation procedure. It involves TEMPORARY  closure of the skin (for example with temporary skin staples)  to double check the amount of skin that is to be excised during the procedure. This maneuver is done to ensure that enough skin, but not too much, is removed. On the one hand, it is important that enough skin be removed to achieve the aesthetic breast lifting results the patient is looking for; on the other hand, is important not to move too much skin creating tension upon closure and potential wide scars.
 
Also, generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation/lifting surgery (regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work. 
2. Again, have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining which operation and/or breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals.
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural or larger breasts” or "DD or DDD cup" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. The use of computer imaging may be very helpful during this communication phase.
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery. The use of temporary intraoperative sizers with the patient in the upright position makes selection of the best breast implant size/profile relatively easy.
Best wishes.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Based on your photographs, the best shape and contour could be achieved with a smaller implant and a breast lift. 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

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

If you are currently a 32 DDD and do not want to be a DDD, why are you getting implants?  There is common misperception that implants are required for upper pole fullness.  The technique I recommend is a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  Implants are not lifetime devices.  450 cc implants weigh 1 lb each and will result in descent of your breasts again.  You should not undergo implantation if you already have DDD breasts.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

450cc too big for me? Breast lift with silicone implants (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast lift with implants, 450cc

Answer: Breast lift with implants, 450cc

Answer: Implants are not required for upper pole fullness

Answer: Implants are not required for upper pole fullness

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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450cc too big for me? Breast lift with silicone implants (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast lift with implants, 450cc

Answer: Breast lift with implants, 450cc

Answer: Implants are not required for upper pole fullness

Answer: Implants are not required for upper pole fullness

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.