Why do same size implants look bigger on some women than other women?

It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 350 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the below link.#breastaugmentation#findingtherightsize#BA

Thanks for your question - this is a very common one asked by my patients as well.  A given breast implant type and size can provide a very different result depending on a person's physical characteristics like their overall body frame, breast size and shape.  Sometimes it is difficult to get a sense of a person's body type based on a photo.  However, looking at before and after photos can be useful when done in consultation with a plastic surgeon who can show you photos of people with similar proportions as you.

The most common reason is all women start out with a different amount of breast tissue. In  addition to this they have different base width diameters as well as narrow v broad shoulders. All of these things will change the size or appearance of size.

Thank you for your question.  You are right in saying that implants look different on different patients.  This is due to the differences in patients' anatomies.  To determine what would be best for you, please see a board certified plastic surgeon.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Depending on the amount of breast tissue and the chest shape prior to surgery, implants will look different on different people.Take a couple ziplock bags and use rice to fill them with
the amount of volume that will be in your breast implant. You can use regular kitchen measuring cups to
do this. Then take it to the bra store
and try on different bras with the bags stuffed in. This will give you a cheap and easy way to
know what size bra you will fill out after the surgery.

Sheila Nazarian, MD

Beverly Hills