My BWD is 12cm (two doctors measured me at 12 and another doctor measured me at 11.5) My surgeon has recommended I go with either 335 (11.5 Diameter) - 345 (11.75 Diameter) high profile silicone. I know the difference is minuscule but I am wondering what would happen if I went with the 11.5 diameter implant if my BWD is 12cm. Will they look weird / too tubular / not wide enough? I have very broad shoulders Thanks!
January 25, 2020
Answer: Base width and reality So, the term base width has been used so often and it has driven many breast augmentations to be bad breast augmentations, because the implant pocket (space for the implant) has been over-dissected to make room for an implant which is too large. Also, the base width simply cannot be measured that accurately by you standing in front of a doctor, or Vectra machine. The measurement is a rough, very rough, approximation.So why does it matter and how do you use it or even find it? When the dissection is done, an experienced surgeon will be able to see the exact base width by going from one anatomic margin (lateral sternal border) to the other (lateral attachment of the breast to the serratus anterior muscle).So how is this used? It's really not that complicated. Most state of the implants will use a projection which is a little higher, so with a little more narrow base implant width per volume. We call this 'high profile' or 'moderately high profile'. Stay away from medium profile and ultra-high profile. I bring several sizes to the operating room and try and use the exact one the patient and I decided on. It may be necessary however, to use an implant which is either slightly smaller or larger, so there is no 'wrinkling' when the implant is placed.This is a little simplified but definitely not a cut and paste answer!Hope this helps.Bottom line, if you're choosing an implant based on base width, you're on the wrong track. Go with doctor experience.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
January 25, 2020
Answer: Base width and reality So, the term base width has been used so often and it has driven many breast augmentations to be bad breast augmentations, because the implant pocket (space for the implant) has been over-dissected to make room for an implant which is too large. Also, the base width simply cannot be measured that accurately by you standing in front of a doctor, or Vectra machine. The measurement is a rough, very rough, approximation.So why does it matter and how do you use it or even find it? When the dissection is done, an experienced surgeon will be able to see the exact base width by going from one anatomic margin (lateral sternal border) to the other (lateral attachment of the breast to the serratus anterior muscle).So how is this used? It's really not that complicated. Most state of the implants will use a projection which is a little higher, so with a little more narrow base implant width per volume. We call this 'high profile' or 'moderately high profile'. Stay away from medium profile and ultra-high profile. I bring several sizes to the operating room and try and use the exact one the patient and I decided on. It may be necessary however, to use an implant which is either slightly smaller or larger, so there is no 'wrinkling' when the implant is placed.This is a little simplified but definitely not a cut and paste answer!Hope this helps.Bottom line, if you're choosing an implant based on base width, you're on the wrong track. Go with doctor experience.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
January 24, 2020
Answer: BWD is not the most important measurement Everybody talks about BWD like its the only measurement, but it is not, nor is it the 'most important'. What is your nipple to fold distance on stretch? If it's 6 or 7, those implants will either leave you with a low nipple position or a double bubble, depending on what the surgeon does in the operating room. If its 8 or more you'll be fine. If your surgeons didn't measure, you need to go to one who does.
Helpful
January 24, 2020
Answer: BWD is not the most important measurement Everybody talks about BWD like its the only measurement, but it is not, nor is it the 'most important'. What is your nipple to fold distance on stretch? If it's 6 or 7, those implants will either leave you with a low nipple position or a double bubble, depending on what the surgeon does in the operating room. If its 8 or more you'll be fine. If your surgeons didn't measure, you need to go to one who does.
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