I have 500cc implants and looking to go bigger. I'm thinking of 800-1000cc. Is this too big? (Photo)

Chronic pain, capsular contracture, implant migration/bottoming out, areola widening, and nipple numbness are just a few long term consequences from larger implants. I wish more of my colleagues were open and honest about the risks and complications associated with large implants. Please visit the breast augmentation revision forum on this site for more information to make an educated and informed decision.Best wishes,Gary Horndeski M.D.

It is very difficult to determine 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. Choose 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 350 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. . 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 below link.

Good evening!When done properly, XL augmentations should have no increased risks over the long term- last year alone I performed 200 augmentations at or above 800cc. I think you are an excellent candidate for an XL revision.I would recommend the following:1) a nipple incision- the safest way to place XL implants2) The Internal Bra, my strong permanent internal suturing technique which supports your larger implants over the long term3) overfilled saline implants in the 800-1000cc range, size to be determined when I measure your chest, we review photos together, and you have the opportunity to try on the implant sizers here in the office over your current implantsHope this helps!

Implant sizes whether too big or too small can be very subjective. 500cc is already fairly large but obviously you don't think it is big enough. The larger you go your skin needs to stretch and will thin to some degree. 800cc is the largest silicone implant so I'm assuming you are considering saline. You will likely see more rippling as the skin and breast tissue thin with time. Feel free to come in for a consultation for further recommendations. Best of luck.

Hello, and thank you for this question. I certainly would want to caution you as to not go much larger. I cannot tell that based on your pictures seemed like you have significant fullness already. Many patients would be unhappy several years down the road due to very large pendulous breast implants that caused worsening of any potential breast sag. In addition that very large implants may also thin out the skin envelope.

Thank you for the question and picture. You will find that online consultants will not be able to provide you with specific advice in regards to selection of specific breast implant size/profile to achieve your goals. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals will be critical.
Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering revisionary breast augmentation 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. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining 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 "D or DD cup” or "too big" 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.
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 ( after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers). Viewing the patient's chest wall in the upright and supine positions, with temporary sizes in place, help select the best breast implant size/profile for the specific patient.
I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to larger breast augmentation surgery concerns), helps. Best wishes.

The best way to get an answer is to see you in person and judge the quality of the skin and your breast dimensions. Although I am not afraid of large implants, going to 800 ccs (the largest in silicone) or even higher can lead to long term consequences which need to be reviewed in detail.  I would suggest looking at photos of patients of your height/weight/build who have had 800-1000 cc implants in place for more than one year.  Best wishes.

The best way to know is for you to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you, review your history and then they can make a recommendation for what you could go up in size to. It can be done but as to whether it is the right thing to do and which implant to use is very important.I hope this helpsDr Edwards

Thank you for your question and photos and "too big" is a value judgement but those are the largest implants availableDr Corbin

It really depends on what size you want to go to.I have specialized in XL breast implants for many years. Yes, you should be able to go bigger with an open capsultomy and if not enougfh room then placement of a tissue expander and then switching to a custom silicone breast implant. You need to contact a plastic surgeon as far as costs are concened.