I am 26, 5'7", 160lbs, 38a bra size. 600cc too large? (Photo)

Yes. 600 cc is too large. It may create a nice look, but you have excellent anatomy and a large implant will stretch your breasts, thin your skin and breast tissue, and cause more rapid sagging. There's no fix for these changes once they occur. Choosing the appropriate implant size depends on your breast dimensions and your goals.  Make sure you find a board-certified plastic surgeon who will speak with you about all of your options and give you honest opinions about the downside of overly large implants. 

Hi O,  600 looks like it would be pretty big for you.  If you want to go for it, inquire about the Ultra High profile. It would possibly be a better fit for the footprint of your breast. 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.  We spend up to two hours for our BA consults
to be sure there is careful communication. We do a full exam in front of a
full-length mirror taking six exact measurements.    We
put your photos on a large computer screen for imaging, and go over your
“ideal-size” photos. We then save this information to your password protected
“web account.”
     First and
foremost the implant should fit the dimensions of your breast and tissue cover.
 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".
 Higher profile implants tend to have a smaller diameter.  Higher is really a marketing term, but often
translates into the same volume implant with a narrower base.  Saline implants actually tend to decrease in
diameter as they are inflated!  The average size chosen over our last 7,000 breast implants was
“350cc”.  BUT, 90% of our patients tell us they wish they were
bigger a year after BA.  (We will see you
every year for routine checks at no charge.) It’s like your mind incorporates
the "new you" into your own self-image over a period of time. 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 1-ounce (25cc) 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 25cc, 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.  Finally,
your verbal requests are factored into the analysis.
     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-Recovery (Flash-Recovery or
Rapid-Recovery) Breast Augmentation articles from peer-reviewed surgery
journals.  It is a surgical procedure that
uses special instruments and techniques to minimize tissue damage and avoid
touching the ribs. It causes far less trauma to surrounding tissue than
traditional approaches, and it dramatically reduces pain and recovery time. In
published studies of BA patients, 95-percent of women interviewed after the
procedure returned to normal daily activities within 24-hours. Quick-recovery
BA is not a “gimmick.”  These specialized
techniques, which actually speed recovery and get you back to your daily
routine, kids and work, are published in our plastic surgery journals.  Because these PS journals are “peer-reviewed”
and edited, they are the gold-standard in our field as being valid science.
Therefore, these are sound techniques, not marketing hype. 
     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”
 
 

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Although I do not have your breast measurements, I am going to take a guess and say that you breast width is around 12-13 cm? That being said, I think that a 600 cc implant is very large and I would caution you that it might be too big for your frame. I think the only way to get an implant that large in you would be to use a very high profile implant and this would give a very augmented and unnatural look. If this is the look you are going for, then that is your choice. But if you are interested in a natural look and a pleasant aesthetic outcome, I would suggest you have a consultation with a local board certified plastic surgeon and try on some sizers to get a better idea of what a reasonable implant might be for you.Hope this helps!

Dear omiller6,determining the ideal breast size and matching that goal for the patient is the most difficult part of breast augmentation. It starts and ends with the patient. We have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements. Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If its too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match. Of all of my breast augmentation patients, everyone of them have been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result thats either too big or too small.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MSCertified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Hi Omiller. A 600 cc breast implant is a very large breast implant and a great deal of weight for you to suddenly begin to carry. I'm wondering what is your goal? It's a better idea to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and consider your options after trying sizers.Best wishes, Dr. Aldo

Yes, in my opinion, 600 cc's is too large , particularly if you  plan to  have more children .  A  large  C  to small D cup breast  can be achieved with implants much smaller than 600cc, and look  terrific and natural.

we will say its too large BUT what are you wanting and how much better would your life be if you could have that, knowing that it could lead to problems down the road necessitating more surgery?  I prefer to fully inform my patients and if they want a size that is large for them, they are told what I think and of the issues down the road, but if they really want to go for it (and it can fit on their chest), its ultimately their decision.  You have a broad chest and it does take more volume than someone with a 32 inch bra.  If you are comfortable with the look a 550 cc sizer does for you, a 600cc implant will be fine.

Thank you for the question.  Based on your photographs, I think that you are starting at a good place and should have a very nice outcome with breast augmentation surgery.  
 
 
Ultimately, careful selection of plastic surgeon and  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  "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. 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 surgery sizing concerns) helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Thanks for the question and for including a photo.  As you might imagine, this is one of the most common questions we are asked. Unfortunately, even with good photos it is not possible to pick the best implant for a specific patient without a full consultation to go over goals and a full examination to understand the anatomy of that individuals chest. Choose an experienced surgeon, you should do well. 

You have excellent breast anatomy and I fear that a 600 cc breast implant will distort an stretch  or very nice normal breasts.  Choose an implant that is based on a measurement of the base width of your breast.  He should choose a breast implant that is no larger than the width or diameter of the base of your breast.  Implants and the 250-350 cc range should give you a very nice full breast without damaging your normal breast appearance. To learn more about sizing please read below: