Will 485cc silicone implants look too big if I am 5'2", 121 lbs, and have an athletic build? Please help! (Photos)

If your surgeon is deciding on an implant volume based on other women’s photos, and talking about bra cups, you should really keep looking. There is no relationship between implant volume and bra cup size. As I’ve proved in my semi-scientific test on insta, people looking at two women most often picked the one with the smaller implants because they appeared bigger in that woman. This means that looking at other people’s results and knowing their implant size is useless. So, how do you pick implant size? First, your surgeon needs to determine your ‘maximum anatomic capacity’, which is the largest implant volume your tissues can safely accommodate without unnecessary escalation of risk of complications or re-operation. Next, using a dedicated sizing system, he can determine the implant size that makes you happy when you look in the mirror, to determine your aesthetic goal. Hopefully, the implant necessary to achieve your goals does not exceeded your maximum capacity. 

Thank you for your questions. you have B-Lite in Turkey. you can have your procedure in Turkey we have B-Lite implants.

Breast implants are sized according to their volume in cubic centimeters (cc).

How do you know what size implant to choose? Looking at pictures and talking to friends who had a breast augmentation might help.

Off course the volume will depend on the shape and size of your actual breasts, your frame and the size you want to achieve.

Our plastic surgeon will advise you thoroughly. Bringing pictures of a desired restult to be shown to our surgeon, might be very helpful.

Hello, thank you for your quesstion. A board certified plastic surgeon will be able to guide you to the correct size implant. Based upon measurements of your chest wall and breast imprint width as well as knowledge of all breast implant sizes and profiles should make this process easy. Try on a profile bra with various silicone sizers your PS recommends under a tailored blouse, tank top, bikini, 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. Select the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy. Choosing an implant based on an aesthetic goal that exceeds your anatomic capacity may lead to complications and possibly revision later in life.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of former patients with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. My patients tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size breast implant is right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the implants 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.
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author                               
RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Induct

Thank you for your question.  Breast implant selection is an exciting, but stressful part of the breast augmentation process as there are so many choices and because there is no direct correlation between cc size and ultimate bra cup. The best recommendations for implant style, size or shape requires an in-person examination that allows for the measurement of key breast parameters, as well as permits an in-depth discussion as to your desired goals and outcome. I would recommend seeing additional ASPS board certified plastic surgeons to ensure that the implants you decide upon are the right ones to meet your expectations.  It sounds as if it may be wise for you to "try on" several of the implants so that you can have a better visual representation as to what they would look like.  Best wishes

I agree with you that with your petite size and small frame that 485cc will be too large and at least a D cup. Most of my patients your size wide up choosing somewhere from 300 to 375cc depending on the exact wishes. I would seek more opinions and try on implants. Good luck.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  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
 

Dear Kkdraft66,
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

From your story and photos you are correct to be concerned. Your “wish” photo is unlikely to be achieved with that size implant. 485 is a large implant for your frame that is not likely to look “natural”. It will almost certainly be a D or larger, and will appear augmented. I would consider a second opinion by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon whose results align with your own aesthetic. Best of luck to you. 

It does not make sense that your surgeon is able to look at those breasts and predict that they are D cups without knowing the patient's height, physically measuring the patients, evaluating the amount of their existing breast tissue, and putting all the information together to determine which size and profile are right for you. It is best to have an in-office evaluation so that careful measurements can be taken to determine the best size implant for your chest diameter, several upper body measurements, and current breast tissue. Once you have the measurements, they are all put together to determine the right implant from the right manufacturer. Breast implants of the same cc's can look and feel extremely different depending on the profile and material. In my office, I have the MENTOR breast implant sizing system where different size molds are used so you can literally see how the breast implants will change your breast size and help finalize your decision. Hope this helps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon