180 cc gel breast implants?

180cc breast implants in a woman of your dimensions should equal to 1.5 increase in cup size. However, if your chest diameter is smaller than 32 inches, 180cc will have a greater increase in cup size. Remember, implants are heavy and will have long term effects on your tissues. The smaller the implant, the lesser the risks and complications associated with them. I hope this helps.Best wishes and kind regards,

Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately, without photos and more importantly, an in-person evaluation, it is nearly impossible to tell you what would be best for you.  I urge you to "try on" different sizes in order to determine which would be best for you.  I also recommend that you focus more on the "look" than the size as it is impossible to predict cup size prior to surgery.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Hello, I have heard others state the opinion that implants looks smaller under the muscle but I haven't observed this myself.  Your surgeon will be the best judge of the outcome you will have with 180cc implants.  Often patients will try on sizers, review before-and-after photos with their surgeon, or have 3D images taken to get a virtual idea of the potential result.

Hello,Thank you for your question. It will be useful for you to share your wish pics and specifically what you would like to change about your breasts with your Plastic Surgeon in person. Having said that, if your Plastic Surgeon uses dimensional augmentation, they will have measured your breasts carefully, taken into account your existing tissue/placement and discussed your aesthetic goals with you. If you have a small range of implants to choose from, my patients find it helpful to try on the implant sizers in the office with a form fitting T-Shirt in order to get an idea of how they will look. 180 sounds small but on a very petite frame, little amounts make a big difference. All the best

Although impossible to state definitively without personal examination, measurements, or at least a photograph (plus goal photos), 180cc implants are going to add less than a full bra cup size to what breast tissue you presently have (not too much, by your description). This may be "enough," but you are right about submuscular compression making chosen implant volumes seems a bit "too small."You might want to try on implants in the 200-250cc range just to see what this looks like, and whatever size you feel looks best will need to have about 10% additional volume to compensate for submuscular compression. Submuscular placement is essential for maximal tissue coverage and ripple avoidance. Saline implants (even overfilled) would not be a good choice for someone with your anatomy. Make sure your surgeon plans on adding about 10% to your externally-chosen size (try on implants in a bra or stretchy top in your surgeon's office--this is a very good aid to choosing the implants you want, and better, IMHO, than rice bags or water baggies), and ask for higher-fill cohesive silicone gel implants like Allergan Natrelle Inspira implants, which will reduce the potential for visible rippling after healing is complete.If in fact you are satisfied that 180cc implants are what you and your surgeon are going to use, make sure they are the widest profile that fits your breast base diameter or you could end up with little round breasts and unattractive wide cleavage. For more information, you may want to read my Comprehensive Guide to Breast Augmentation by clicking on the web reference link below. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

I appreciate your question.

The size of implant best of you  is dictated by your
chest wall measurements. Once we determine that we can choose the profile
based on what you want or need to achieve.  If you are seeking a natural look,
then the diameter of the implant should be equal to or, more ideally, smaller
than the width of your breast. The breast width is a measurement of how wide
your breast is at the base, which should be measured at the level of the
nipple. Choosing an implant that is smaller in diameter than your breast width
will avoid the "side breast" fullness that is often associated with a
more artificial appearance. Other than that, you should choose the
implant based on volume, not on the dimensions of the implant. You should
choose a board certified plastic surgeon that you trust to help guide you in
this decision.

Silicone will give you a fullness at the
top (upper pole fullness).

Silicone implants come pre-filled with a
silicone gel and are the softest implant available. They feel more natural,
which makes them a good option for women with less natural breast tissue; but
they require a larger incision. It may be more difficult to realize if this
type of implant has ruptured, so it is important to monitor them with annual
follow-up visits. Additionally, because this implant contains a more liquid
silicone (less cross-linked), if this implant should rupture, it will leak only
into the scar capsule formed around the implant but may cause some discomfort
or implant distortion.

Anatomic gummy bear implants might be a
good choice to give you volume.

These highly-sought-after, anatomic
implants offer a look that more closely resembles the natural silhouette of a
breast, and, therefore, are a very attractive option for individuals seeking a
natural-looking, aesthetic primary breast augmentation. Additionally, these
implants are an especially excellent option for patients undergoing restorative
or corrective breast surgery because they provide more stability, shape, and
reduced incidence of capsular contracture. Compared to other types of silicone
gel implants, the silicone in the cohesive gel implant is more cross-linked;
therefore, should the implant shell “rupture,” it maintains its shape and
silicone does not leak.

During your breast augmentation
consultation, you should feel the different types of implants available, and
try on various implant sizers in front of a mirror to help you to get an idea
of how you will look following the surgery. You should also bring pictures of
the look you would like to achieve, as well as a favorite top to wear when
trying on implant sizers.



The best way to assess and give true
advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic
surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!



Dr. Schwartz

As mentioned by another surgeon, it is difficult to tell how this size implant may look on your frame without photos or measurements. It seems that at your height, you would be able to have a bit larger implants to fill a B cup, although there is no standardization of bra cup sizes. Most patients in my office who have been about your size typically choose to have at least 200 or 250cc implants to obtain a B cup. But again, measurements and a physical exam are necessary to determine the best implant size to fit your body. Almost all of my breast augmentation surgeries (and I have performed over 6000 breast surgeries) involve placing the implant under the muscle for the most natural look and feel. Initially, implants placed under the muscle do appear smaller, but over time as the implants drop into place, they will appear fuller and more natural. I wish you luck in your future surgery.

Thank you for the question. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.

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 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. For example,
I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or "small B 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. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.

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.

I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast augmentation for petite patients) helps. Best wishes.

You will get the best answer
to your question by scheduling an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and discuss your unique
situation and concerns. The surgeon would meet with you, examine you,
physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full
medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of the operative procedure in
person and what to realistically expect. Then you can make an informed decision
on size and shape. Your surgeon should be able to explain to you why they
are recommending the size they are according to your current breast
measurements including your chest width and your desired outcome.

We have all our Breast Augmentation patients
not only utilize our 3D imaging so they can get a real visual on what the
implants will look like on them but also to actually try on the different size
implants with a tight bra and t-shirt to see what they might expect. That way
they have a good visual of what a 450cc implant will do as opposed to a 350cc
implant for example. You want to make sure that you see a surgeon that will
listen to you and your goals for the procedure and discuss in detail their
recommendation for size and shape not only taking into consideration your
desired outcome but also your breast measurements before the procedure
including your chest dimensions. And then let you try the implants that they
feel will give you the desired result so you are in agreement with the size.

There is  range of implant sizes that will work for you. 180 cc seems to be in range.  However it is best to be seen in person by the surgeon instead of guessing hypothetical sizes.