6 weeks post-op. 450cc HP and I feel like I'm small. Will my breasts get bigger or smaller? Should I have gone bigger? (photos)

Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (ccs). One hundred seventy five to 200 ccs is the equivalent to a one-cup size increase.  Each bra company calculates bra sizes differently, so using cup size alone as a parameter can lead to miscommunication between surgeon and patient. It's too early in your recovery to jump to conclusions about the size of the implants, your cleavage, and position on the chest wall.  The final results won’t appear until after you have healed completely and the swelling from the surgery subsides. Swelling dissipation can take from weeks to several months.  Try not to judge the final result until the implants drop which depends upon so many factors, including level of dissection, laxity of tissues, size of implant, size of patient, etc.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello,When will women start talking about other more important measurements than BW? I guess it's when surgeons do, and unfortunately, most of my colleagues apparently don't. You are no different, thinking that matching the implant diameter to breast width is all that needs to be done to achieve a good fit. However, I can tell you it isn't, and your early results already hint at other issues that are important. Nipple to fold distance is just as important as, if not more important than, base width. Your original nipple to fold distance was short, and some of your post op photos already show a double bubble: where your original fold is now on your breast. Your tissue is already thin under there, and given a few more months and years will get thinner. You are already over your maximum volume. You should take a good six months to heal, then consider fat grafting if you want more volume. 

Congratulations on your surgery.  You are very early on in the process and things will continue to change and improve.  The implants are in a tight space and are being flattened right now.  Over the next several months the skin and muscle will continue to give and stretch and you will gain in projection.It is about 4-6 months before you can really appreciate your final result.  Be patient and don't stress right now and see how things look at that time.Sizing is very tricky process and we spend a great deal of time on it.  The patient's body (anatomy) and the soft tissues will ultimately determine how big one can go.  Going larger than what you body can accommodate is a set up for future breast revision surgery.Hope that helps.

Dear LZA22,
I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a breast augmentation surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process at 6 weeks  post op.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues around the implants are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides and the implants drop to their final position, you will be able to see the final result of your breast augmentation surgery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. Based on the photographs, you seem to have a very nice early outcome;  in other words, I think that your plastic surgeon has done a very nice job for you.  In my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. Although I cannot comment specifically about your anatomy and its limitations, (generally speaking) every patient undergoing breast augmentation surgery should understand that their anatomic starting point will limit the outcome of breast augmentation surgery.    In other words, a patient's starting anatomy will limit how large of a breast implant can be utilized safely. The use of a larger breast implant (than what is safely "allowed" by the patient's anatomy) can be problematic;  potential problems include breast implant displacement/malpostion issues ( such as bottoming out, lateral displacement, symmastia...) and/or significant breast implant rippling/palpability.My best advice: continued patience.  Keep in mind, that a significant percentage of patients at your stage in the recovery process feel that they are "too big" or "too small".  In the long run, once patients have adjusted physically and psychologically to their new body image, the vast majority of patients are very pleased.
 
Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on your surgery!

It is important to have an in-person medical assessment regarding this issue as it is difficult to determine virtually. Continue to update your doctor in the matter and follow their post-op protocol.

Please ensure to get cleared by your doctor before engaging in specific physical activity before the 3 month healing period has ended as the healing stage is crucial for healthy results.

It generally takes around 6 months to a year to see your final results. Your tissues will take time to relax and allow your implants to "Drop and Fluff" settling into place. Should a revision cross your mind, it is best to wait at least 6 months to a year before doing so.

Our tips for recovery following breast augmentation are to wear a supportive sports bra for 3 months post-operative and refrain from lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 weeks as we don't want any strain at your incision sites. Make sure to keep the area of your stitches clean by cleansing with hydrogen peroxide daily. Showering is encouraged! But, no sitting in water for 2 weeks following surgery (no baths, hot tubs, pools etc.).

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery. We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!
M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind