Breast implant sizing, worried about being too wide. (photos)

Question

Hi, I recently had my consultation and the surgeon measured both my breasts at a width of 12cm. My patient care coordinator then helped me try on sizes with diameters +/- 1cm. I am worried about looking overdone with the full profile implants (using natrelle soft touch implants) so decided to stick with moderate profile. I ended up picking the largest volume I could which was 345 cc with a diameter of 12.5cm. I’m worried about being too wide for my measurements. Should I size down or go hp?

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I wouldn’t focus too much on the base width. It is important to respect it and not go too crazy, but you don’t need an implant that is exact. I’m sure you will get a lovely result. Best of luck!

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Choosing an implant size/style is an important decision which is best made in concert with your surgeon. Ultimately, options are based on a number of factors including:
-Chest dimensions: This point is crucial as the width of your breasts defines the available "real estate" on which the foundation of your augmentation is built. This "foot print" is the absolute limit with which you are dealing.  Too "large" is not so much the risk as too "wide." You cannot build a 3 acre mansion on a half acre plot. An implant which is too wide (exceeding the available space on your chest) will generally over hang laterally making it more noticeable and occasionally contributing to discomfort and nerve symptoms (numbness or tingling). This will also contribute to a more unnatural look.
-Tissue quality: This relates to size in the sense that the implant will be suspended by your tissue. Too large an implant may place took large a stress on these suspending tissues leading to healing problems in the short term and bottoming out in the long term.
-Patient desire (what is the look you are hoping to achieve?)
My role as a surgeon is to manage expectations and guide you towards a prudent choice which can satisfy these reasonable goals. Often times, a surgeon can guide a patient toward a size/cc range and patients will make determinations on implant style/profile. Patient seeking more or less projection, or seeking a more pronounced or subtle upper pole volume increase can be guided toward an implant which will help them best achieve their goals. Additionally, technique variations (sub muscular vs. sub glandular) can also aid in obtaining the look you desire.  
There are a number of tools available to help guide patient/surgeon decision making including sizers, 3D imaging and goal photos. Each modality can help better communicate your goals to your surgeon and vice versa.
Ultimately, it is important to not marry oneself to a particular "cc" as oppose to a particular "look." Communication is key as you and your surgeon create your custom surgical plan. 
With regards to your specific question, your size choice seems reasonable. I think your will find that the volume step up from moderate to high profile will be significant enough for you to easily develop a profile preference.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

From your straightforward photographs, it seems you have very little lateral fullness. Therefore, you may want to consider adding some fullness on the side with an implant wider than your chest wall. If you have larger hips, you may want and implant even a little wider for balance.

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

Discuss this with your surgeon.  I try to land as close to BWD as possible with the implant width, and prefer not to go over that measurement with the implant width.  If you'd like to go larger, I typically recommend going up on profile rather than overshooting width for a number of reasons.  Full profile implants can still look very proportionate and not "overdone" if they are selected to fit your frame and placed appropriately!

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding breast implant sizing and for including photos.

In my practice, I recommend choosing an implant that fits your base with diameter or is slightly more narrow.

I encourage you to have two or more in person consultations with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to be sure.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Moderate profile will look a little more soft and natural. But you might end up having a little more “side boob”. The difference between sizes is a few millimeters, so you probably won’t notice a huge difference from that change. Going to a full profile will have a little more projection. But overall it’s a subtle difference. Bottom line, either is likely to look great.

Breast implant sizing, worried about being too wide. (photos)

Answers (6)

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