I'm 5 ft. and 104 lbs, have I made the right choice of cc for my size? (photo)

Question

I'm 5ft 104lbs I don't know how much breast tissue I have but I seen a lot of stories where girls are the same stat and same amt of tissue if not less, they get 350 cc and get the look I would like so I told my doc I wanted 450, then changed to 375 filled to 400, and I would hope that's enough, but then I think about the amount lost with under muscle and I feel I should stick with the 450, I'm so confused.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Choosing your breast implant size is a very complex decision that depends on many things - not just what you want to look like. It has to do with what size fits your body. An implant that is too big for you will have a significantly higher rate of complications afterwards. You should meet with your plastic surgeon again...and again....and again...until you are comfortable.

Jeffrey Rockmore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The choice of implant size is something that creates much confusion and anxiety for women planning on breast augmentation. While there is a tremendous amount of information available, the final choice can be difficult for some women. I would have a couple of suggestions:-Try to think 3 dimensionally as opposed to only considering the volume and cc's. A more predicable and better result can be obtained if the implant is selected using a 3 dimensional process. Choose an implant who's width matches the width of your chest and breasts. Then pick a profile based on the amount of projection and the look you are hoping to achieve. This will allow you to back into the volume as the last dimension.-Don't get hung up on relatively small volume differences. It is difficult is not impossible to see the difference of 25 cc's in implants. This is 2 teaspoons of fluid and hard to appreciate once the implants are placed.-Return to see your plastic surgeon as many times as it takes until you are comfortable with the implant choice. Some plastic surgeons use sizing systems or imaging to help with your selection.Ask your plastic surgeon to help with this process. You will feel less anxious about your breast augmentation if you are comfortable with your selections before having your procedure.Best of luck with your breasts.Jeff Rockmore

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS · Answer

Always the biggest concern of my patients.  It is a great idea to re-visit this with your plastic surgeon.  What methods have you used?  Ideally, implant sizers are used during consultation.  And also 3D imaging.  Bring photos of the look you like to your consultation.  A 400 cc implant may be perfect for your friend, but unless she is your body double that information won't help you too much.Best of luck.

Charles Cope, MD · Answer

Hi. Without a photo out of your bra seeing how much loose skin you have I can't give you
an exact answer. This is not a large size difference between 400 and 450. As your surgeon to show you pictures of patients with similar body frames and these size implants.
Try to find someone with a Vectra 3D imaging machine in your area to simulate
your breast augmenation result - in a recent article (Oct 2013) of Plastic
& Reconstructive Surgery Journal (Plast. Reconstr. Surg.132: 810,
2013.), the main Plastic Surgery Journal worldwide, the 3D imaging VECTRA
machine was found to be beneficial for patients considering breast augmentation
surgery.
The article concluded that patients prefer a center that offers
three-dimensional imaging technology; they feel that the simulation is very
accurate and helps them greatly in choosing the implant; and that if they could
go back in time, they would choose the same implant again. 
All the best with your decision. Regards Dr Charles Cope

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering 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're looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work, helping patients with revisionary breast surgery specifically.
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.  him
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 “C or D cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him 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.
I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery) help.

I'm 5 ft. and 104 lbs, have I made the right choice of cc for my size? (photo)

Answers (5)