I'm 5'7", 175 lbs, 34DD, & have saline implants 330cc. Wanting to switch to silicone. Is 750cc the right way to go?

Question

I am wanting to add volume lost at the top of the breast and wouldn't mind to be a little bigger. My breast fall to the sides when I lay down and was suggested 750cc would fill my "pockets" which would eliminate this issue and add back the volume lost at the top of the breast.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

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 especially when it comes to revision surgery. 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.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Switching from 330 to 750 is a significant change in size.  If that is what you are looking for then you should be fine.  Preventing the breasts from moving out to the sides when you lie down is not as easy as switching out the implants.  It will fill your upper pole.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   Physical examination would be necessary to give you accurate advice; whether or not breast implant pocket “repair” (capsulorrhaphy) would be necessary will depend on this physical examination. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures and direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror and lying down) 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. I have found that the use of words such as  “natural” 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 ( 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 revisionary breast augmentation surgery concerns), helps.

Marcel Daniels, MD · Answer

The bigger the implant the more it weighs. Bigger implants will temporarily give you the fullness you want, but over time the added weight of the implant will stretch the skin out and may even worsen your lateral fall.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

750 cc seems to be larger than you may want if you are seeking natural looking results. Consult in person with 3 board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

I'm 5'7", 175 lbs, 34DD, & have saline implants 330cc. Wanting to switch to silicone. Is 750cc the right way to go?

Answers (5)

Answer: Bigger implants

Answer: Bigger implants

Answer: Breast Implant Revision to restore volume loss from a saline to silicone breast implant revision.

Answer: Breast Implant Revision to restore volume loss from a saline to silicone breast implant revision.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I'm 5'7", 175 lbs, 34DD, & have saline implants 330cc. Wanting to switch to silicone. Is 750cc the right way to go?

Answers (5)

Answer: Bigger implants

Answer: Bigger implants

Answer: Breast Implant Revision to restore volume loss from a saline to silicone breast implant revision.

Answer: Breast Implant Revision to restore volume loss from a saline to silicone breast implant revision.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.