Deciding between 275cc and 295cc - moderate profile round implants. I'm 5'2 and 110 llbs, 34B (photo)

Choosing the right size and profile breast implants for you: After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

The difference between 275cc and 295cc is minimal, and either one will give almost the same result. Even if you place 275cc in one breast and 295cc in the other, I don't believe you'll be able to notice the difference.

Besides, if I'm judging correctly based on the photos, and the body posture in them isn't deceiving me, one breast is slightly larger than the other and mildly ptotic. Maybe one of your breasts is already 30cc-40cc larger than the other and approximately 1cm more ptotic (sagging). Since you didn't mention this in your question, it suggests you haven't noticed it; therefore, even after the implants are placed, the 20cc difference won't make any noticeable change. In such cases, if your plastic surgeon suggests it, you can place the larger implant in the breast that is slightly smaller, and the smaller implant in the other breast.
Also, because sizers give an approximate idea and not a high-precision one, I would recommend using an implant slightly larger than 295cc.

The reason I mention this is that, based on my 27 years of experience in this field, individuals who focus on a minute detail of 20cc usually tend to under-correct their issue. The result of this is that after the surgery, they often feel they would have wanted something bigger.

Thank you for your question. You're correct that trying on sizers is not a perfect representation of your final result because the implants are sitting loosely on top of your breasts, rather than within the breasts. Many of my patients will go slightly larger to take this into account, especially if they are debating between two implants that are only a few millimetres different in size. Other ways to help narrow down the size include looking at before-and-after pictures of other patients with similar anatomy or 3D breast imaging, but these are not perfect either. Your own surgeon will be the best source of advice on your final choice because they presumably took detailed breast measurements and can advise which implants are appropriate for your dimensions.

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, volume does not change but rather shape when comparing pre-op sizing to a final result. I would not struggle too much over a small volume differential (20 ml). This is less than the volume of a shot glass and is unlikely to make a very discernible difference in outcome.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Thank you for your inquiry! During your consultation you can try on different implant sizes to see what size you prefer. We would love to sit down with you and come up with a surgical plan specifically for you. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this:
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you.

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

one of the hardest things with breast augmentation is nailing down the size of the implant that you wish that will achieve the goal you are looking for. Hopefully you have had a long discussion with your plastic surgeon regarding your goals. The implants mentioned are relatively small and may achieve an approximate 1 cup increase. This is great if this is what you are hoping to achieve. You mentioned moderate profile implant which are the widest implants and that can limit you a little bit on sizing given your frame. It tends to give a relatively bottom heavy her appearance to the breasts without a lot of superior fullness. If you're looking for some roundness in the upper part of the breast, not fake but just to improve cleavage, you may consider either moderate profile plus or high-profile implants. If the placement location is deep to the muscle, none of these profiles will make one look fake. In deciding between 275 and 295, the difference is only 20 mL. This is about a soup spoon difference in size and is unlikely to make a large difference one way or the other. Remember, when utilizing sizers and placing them in a bra, make sure that the edges of the sizer or or breast implant is snug against your skin, rather than leaning forward in the bra. The latter could cause you to choose a smaller size.

A difference of 20cc is minor when it comes to implants, so whatever you choose, you probably won’t regret your choice.

Thanks for your question! It's important to remember that 30cc is about a shot glass of fluid. It really is a very small difference between the two. If you liked the look of the 275 in the fitting and you are going under the muscle, choose the 295. You won't be disappointed. Good luck!

Dear Peaceful966747,

breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient.
When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.
Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.
Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.
You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The difference between 20cc is almost imperceptible visually. Honestly, this is more of a mental choice. A true high statistic is that when a patient is a few months post op, they do wish they would have chosen the next size larger. You need to lean into your phycological makeup and choose what is right for you.