I'm on the petite side and was wondering if 475cc or 495cc is too big for me? (Photo)

Hi Ba,See the excellent answer below.  I agree with you, 475 or 495cc is really getting up there is you are 4'11".  First and foremost the implant should fit the dimensions
of your breast and tissue cover. Here are a few tips for you because this is perhaps
the hardest decision for a patient to make, as well as the surgeon. Also see
the video attached to my answer. Balancing
the implant to your over-all body shape and tissue cover is essential.The
main thing is to have the diameter of the implant fit the diameter of your
breast "foot print". Cup size estimates can
be misleading, but I generally advise patients that they will experience an
increase of approximately one cup size per 200 cc. You can try on implants in
the office by placing them into a special bra.The implant is also flattened
somewhat when under the muscle, so it is a good idea to bump it up a bit. Approximately 50 cc (1-2 oz.) is added to the final volume to account for
flattening of the implant in the partial sub-muscular pocket. Once you decide
on a size you like, then add on about 25-50 cc, because in real life the
implant will be flattened slightly by your tissues.Multiple measurements need to be taken to fit
an implant to your exact anatomy. Have your surgeon's office show you the
charts of the implant dimensions for the various profiles of silicone and
saline from the manufacturer. Then you and your surgeon can piece
together the puzzle by matching your measurements, with your wishes, versus
your tissue cover and the available implants to arrive at a surgical
plan.Keep in mind larger implants tend to
have more problems over the years.Since
silicone implants wrinkle less than saline implants, they might be your best
bet.You can
also approximate this at home by measuring out an equivalent amount of rice
placed into a cutoff foot of old panty-hose, and put this in your bra.Wear this around the house for a while, and
see what you think.Implant size must
square with assessments of tissue cover, breast diameter, and chest wall width.
Multiple measurements of your chest wall are taken (seven in total). Implant
size selection has been an issue of much discussion. Therefore, I use a wide variety of methods, but the implant size is
always established preoperatively.Also,
patients are advised to bring reference photos demonstrating their ideal size
and shape. A photo album of patient pictures is maintained to assist them.
These photos ultimately help in determining where the implants will be placed,
since they can be shifted inside (to provide more cleavage), to the outside, up
or superiorly, and down or inferiorly during surgery. In determining the final
size selection, I always place the highest priority on the preoperative
measurements and potential tissue cover. Then, the patient’s verbal requests
are factored into the analysis.Our
average size over the last 7,000 implants was 350. 90%
of our patients wish they were bigger a year after BA.I t is like your mind
incorporates the "new you" into it's self-image over a period of
time. We use
the quick recovery approach, so click on the web reference link below to have
this explained and you can see the list of Quick (Flash) Recovery Breast
Augmentation articles from peer-reviewed surgery journals.Be sure
to see only a board certified plastic surgeon (by ABPS - The American Board of
Plastic Surgery) who is a member of ASAPS (The American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery) and or a member of ASPS (The American Society of Plastic
Surgeons). Also, ask if the PS has an established, high volume breast
augmentation practice, performing several hundred breast augmentations each year.
Be sure the PS has been in practice for a while, about 20-years might be a good
gauge.Does the PS offer all three
incisions?Discuss the implant type (gel
or saline), shaped "gummy bear" or non-shaped, smooth or textured,
implant pocket (over or under the muscle) and the "quick recovery
approach."Ask to see their before
and after photos if you didn’t see any on their website. If they are
experienced, they should have several 100 breast implant patients for you to
view. I would also recommend that your doctor offer you the chance to
talk to past patients who would be happy to discuss their experience with
you. You need to feel comfortable, so make sure the environment is safe
as in an accredited surgery center. Also, ask a prospective surgeon if he or
she has ever published journal articles in professional peer-reviewed journals,
which they can provide you.                         All the
best, “Dr. Joe”

With breast augmentation, one has to
determine if they want to “look real or fake”. In general that size (475-495cc) is large for someone that is 4’11”.  If you are slowly loosing weight, you may
want to defer surgery until your weight loss has stabilized.  At times, large implants may make patients
look top heavy.  This needs to be discussed in detail with your plastic surgeon at consultation.

There are good implant sizing systems that will allow you to "try on" implants that you are considering. There's no reason to leave this part of the decision-making to chance.