5’1, 58kg, BWD 14/14.5cm - would 12.5cm be enough & should I go up to 425/450cc? (Photos)

Hi! Very interesting question! Yes, I believe it would be. Especially if you’re afraid of larger implants looking too heavy. Because of your nipple to fold ratio and your height, I think they would probably be too big. Plus, if you go too big at first and you end up not liking it, reducing your breast size will be an issue because of the extra scars needed to tighten the skin after an augmentation.
I would trust your surgeon. 380cc seems big enough already for your frame. Any any case, if you decide to go up a size, a revision for bigger implants is pretty straight forward and there are no extra scars.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Thank you for your question and photos. As you undoubtedly know, a precise treatment plan or specific implant recommendation can only be determined with a careful examination and detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon. Volume (380 versus 450), is less significant than implant width and projection. However there is not uniform agreement on measuring BWD. Implant width is similar to shoe size, but not exactly. That said, the implant literally needs to fit into your breast and chest. The 380 Motiva may well “fit” your breast, but the volume and projection are what will determine the “look” you want, similar to the style or type of shoe you would select. Sharing photos with your plastic surgeon of your “wish” look is critical. It is true that for a given volume a high profile implant will have a narrower diameter, and it is also true that a patient with a broader chest or larger frame who gets large implants will look like a larger person overall. Other considerations such as saline versus silicone are also important, as are "round" versus "anatomical" or "form stable" or "shaped", smooth surface versus textured, and softer versus firmer with the different levels of gel cohesivity.

The term “natural” can mean different things to different people and the profile of the implant does not necessarily determine that. You can certainly achieve a “natural” appearing result with a high profile implant if properly selected, but as a rule, the larger the implant and the higher the profile, and certainly if the implant is positioned too high, the greater the chances you will look “augmented” because of exaggerated upper pole fullness or convexity.

In my practice, besides a thorough interview process and physical examination with careful measurements, we use on lay sizers within an unpadded bra to help you understand what you are likely to look like in a bra, bathing suit, or T-shirt with a given size implant. In addition, and this is critical, we ask all of our patients to provide us with photos of their desired final look, with images of women’s breasts that most closely resemble the look they are trying to achieve. This serves as a visual guide that thankfully rarely leads us astray. The most common reason for patient disappointment after breast augmentation is size-too big or not big enough. This algorithm which we have been employing for over thirty years has proven to be very successful.

Because all of these factors can leave you quite confused, it is crucial that you select an experienced board certified plastic surgeon whose aesthetics align with your own, and with whom you feel comfortable. Don't be reluctant to seek a second or even third opinion if necessary to be sure and feel confident about moving forward with scheduling surgery. Expressing your desired cup size is notoriously inaccurate, and final breast size is the most common reason for patient disappointment after breast augmentation, either too big or not big enough.

Take your time, do your research. Best of luck to you.