What Would You Recommend for Small Asian Frame Seeking Natural Looking Breast Implants?

if a woman wears a size 36 AB bra and would like
to be a C cup, which is the average size that women wear and the average size
bra that is sold, she needs a volume of approximately 350 to 390 cc to make
that change. This becomes less if she's wearing a 34 bra, because it has a
smaller strap size and the cups have a smaller diameter. A smaller diameter
implant would then be a volume of approximately 300 to 350 cc. In the same way
if she was more petite, maybe a double zero or size one and wore a 32 AB bra,
then to become a 32C cup she would only require about 250 to 300 cc. It all depends upon your personal goals and desires

Asian patients can pose unique challenges in breast augmentation.  Typically Asian women have a smaller body habitus and a paucity of breast glandular tissue.  Asian patients can also have a poorly defined inframmammary crease (IMF) making the IMF incision problematic.  Asian patients can also exhibit unique wound healing properties causing their scars to be thicher and darker (mildly hypertrophic).  The IMF incision can be highly visible because of the darker scars and poorly defined IMF.  The periareolar incision is sometime preferred because the incision can be better concealed.  However, Asian women can also have smaller nipple areolar complex measurements making it difficult to place a form stable anatomic implant (Allergan 410 style) or even a standard cohesive gel implant.  Patients with small areolar dimensions may need a saline implant which can be placed through a smaller incision.  Finally, implants should be placed under the chest muscle (submuscular) due the smaller breast size of Asian women and the need to conceal the implant under the muscle.  All these factors come in to play with typical Asian breast augmentation.  For those patients willing to accept the IMF scar, an anatomic form stable (Allergan 410 style) implant under the muscle usually yields the most natural result.  However, it the IMF scar is a big concern then a periareolar saline or small gel implant might be the better alternative. Finally, 3D preoperative imaging can be extremely helpful in choosing a style and profile which meets the patients goals and expectations.  

I use a technique known as dimensional breast augmentation in order to help my patients choose the best implant size or style. Every woman has a different body type and goal, meaning that the same implant won’t be satisfactory for all patients. Dimensional breast augmentation solves this problem by using a formula that calculates pre-surgery body measurements and expectations. This helps me find the most appropriate implant size and style to achieve the most natural-looking results.To ensure that the formula works — and to help you visualize the prospective change — you will be given different sizers of breast implants to try on and assess. This ensures that the post-operative results will be as close to your intended results as possible. If trying on a certain size looks or feels unnatural, it’s easy to change before going forward with your procedure. As a result, you may benefit from the smaller sizes you mentioned to achieve a more natural look, however it really relies on a physical examination. This examination would involve taking measurements. Your original body contours (including height, weight, breast width, breast height and the distance that exists between the nipple and breast fold) alongside your desired cup size are assessed.

   I always try to guide patients as they are sizing.  To give an idea of what is average, the average breast implant placed in the US is 350 ml.  Therefore, 150 cc implant would be very small.  However, I never have a problem putting in a smaller implant.  It is always a technically easier operation.  

Thanks for sharing your story. It seems you're pretty petite. It also sounds like you didin't have a good consult with the surgeon you saw. It's always a good idea to get at least 3 consultations before having surgery. Next time, be sure you a board certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

For your frame, it would not be unusual to have a narrow breast diameter. The implants that work in this diameter are in the 220-280cc range. I'm in agreement with you that the sizes you mention are probably a good fit for you.

I prefer the moderate plus implants; the high profile implants work if the surgeon is willing to underfill them (but has higher incidence of deflation).

Also, it may be worth considering a saline implant because Asian skin does not hide the larger incision required by silicone implants.

Regardless of the woman's size, the goal for breast enhancement/augmentation should be to provide a beautiful shape. Often this is subjective, as illustrated by the size of implants your consulting surgeon's recommended which may be different to your expectations. While I prefer a more natural slope, some women clearly state that they want to be full on top or larger in size. I will want to meet her goals it they are reasonable and can be achieved. Bring pictures of results that you find beautiful from the web and magazines and consider finding a surgeon that has a Vectra 3D imager to get an idea of different implant sizes in your body. Most importantly, your surgeon should listen to your expectations and do their best to meet them. I use formulas to begin the conversation and to point out the concept of implant size based on anatomic dimensions. Within the dimensions there are different implant profiles/projections which are designed to provide enhancement depending on the breast volume. A thorough evaluation and good communication with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who you feel comfortable with is key. It is your goals that matter. 

Implant sizes are very diffucult to determine without an exam and a few measurements. I would suggest going for a second opinion and bring photos to help explain your expectations.  I would also suggest bring photos of what you think is natural and not so natural.  Communication with your surgeon is necessary in obtaining the most desirable results. 

The size of the implants are based on a combination of a patient's goals
and objectives and her anatomy. In order to provide a natural looking
augmentation, the surgeon needs to evaluate many factors including soft
tissue coverage, skin laxity, chest wall width, breast imprint width,
the shape of the breasts and relative level of constriction to ensure
that the breast implants are appropriate for your body. Consult with 3
experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand
your objectives.

Biodimensional planning can help your surgeon select a breast implant within the proper size range for you. It is important to have the right size and shape of an implant. Position of the breast implant is equally important. You don't want implants too high, too far apart. Even small breast implants, if not ideally laced can look unnatural.