My doctor says he won't go larger than 300cc because not enough skin, is he right? (photos)

Question

I'm 5'4" and 135 pounds. I'm considering getting breast surgery and after looking up information on the internet for some time i finally decided to go to a consultation, I was thinking of getting around 450cc silicon implants but my doctor said he won't be able to go larger then 300cc and he might not even be able to do that, he says it's because i don't have enough skin. I go to the gym a lot and i am lean, my upper body has always been fairly lean.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons consider several factors when recommending a breast implant size, including breast diameter, the amount of natural breast tissue, skin laxity, the width of your chest and your figure. Your plastic surgeon might be right about 300cc breast implants being the largest your skin can accommodate, or you may be able to have 450cc breast implants with good results. You may want to schedule a consultation with a second plastic surgeon to see what size he recommends. If your original surgeon doesn’t explain, be sure to ask why he picked that size to help you better understand how breast implants may work with your frame.

John C. Pedersen, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question!  We as plastic surgeons l]like to use your breast diameter to help us determine what size may fit you best.   With any given diameter we can order several different projections ( hence several different sizes).  A 300cc implant may fit your diameter well, however you will also fit a higher "profile"implant ( a higher projecting) implant.  Pleas consult with your surgeon before your surgery on the alternatives available. In addition please take the time to discussed your nipple position. You have slightly diverting nipples and this can effect your final outcome.

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

This question comes up routinely and the reality is that not all implants will fit into a person's chest.  The combination of chest width, skin tightness and muscle tightness dictate the implant size.The downside of trying to jam in a large implant is that the only place that can 'make room for it' is the area by your fold.  Once the fold region is disrupted in an attempt to acomodate a large implant, the weight of the implant and the tight tissue are likely to force it down even further.  This results in a low seated implant and a high riding nipple.Is that the look you're seeking??  Probably not.You might consider the IDEAL Implant which has more margin for volume. It combines the best of saline and gel AND allows for additional volume add- if needed- during the surgery.  Click on the link below.In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Your surgeon likely recommended an upper limit of 300cc due to concern for your breasts being able to accommodate a larger implant.  The size, profile, and shape of
the implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.  
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hi there, Thank you for your question. It may be best to obtain a second opinion considering it is difficult to provide accurate information based on photos. Best, realdrsix

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question and photos. It can be confusing for patients to see different volume amounts attached to the ideal breast photos they see online. The exact measurements of your breast and existing tissue determine the implants which fit you the best. Someone with a larger build than you and slightly larger breast measurements would fit a different range of implant volumes. You may seek more than one in-person expert opinion to compare if you wish, but the best person to advise you about safe, proportionate implant sizing will be the Plastic Surgeon who consults with you in person.All the best

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. "Tissue based planning" relies on your chest and breast measurements and is the safest way to ensure good long term results. Your surgeon should determine what size and projection are necessary to give you your desired result based on your body's measurements. 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 breast surgery. Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery.

Jennifer Harrington, MD · Answer

Choosing the right breast implant size will highly depend on your anatomy and natural body proportions. In your case, your plastic surgeon is expressing concerns that going too large could pose a risk for complications and may result in an undesirable and unnatural look. My suggestion would be to clearly communicate your goals with your plastic surgeon and work with him to design a surgical plan that will help you to realistically achieve those goals. This way, you can ensure that the outcome will be in proportion with the rest of your anatomy, thus maintaining the natural balance of your body. If you’re still having second thoughts, you can always seek a second in-person opinion. Best of luck!

Sean Doherty, MD, FACS · Answer

The right size implant is always going to be dependent on each individual patient's anatomy. Could you go larger? Probably. But your body wouldn't be able to accommodate it and you would develop complications. I would encourage you to focus less on the size of the implant and more on the look that you are wanting to achieve. And if you don't like what your surgeon is saying, seek a second opinion. Best of luck.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your doctor who has examined and measured you will be the best one to decide what range of sizes will work best with your tissue and frame. Just because we can cram a larger size in the breast, doesn't mean we should. There are more long term complications with implants too large and heavy for your tissue.

My doctor says he won't go larger than 300cc because not enough skin, is he right? (photos)

Answers (16)

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