Are my breast implants too narrow for my breast width diameter, causing too wide a gap on my chest? (photo)

Question

I had a breast augmentation using 430cc ultra high profile round implants. The diameter of these implants is 11.1cm. My breast width diameter prior to surgery was 14cm on one breast and 14.5cm on the other. I am very concerned since my surgery over the extremely large gap between the implants on my chest, and I am worried that this is due to the wrong diameter of implant being used. Surely I should have had implants which more closely fit with my natural breast width diameter? Please help!

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, the gap between the breast is determined by your sternum width, the muscle dissection and to some degree the width of the implant, but I would say the width of the implant is the least. In general as the width of the implant gets larger it has more effect outwards on the chest.

Ramiro Morales, Jr., MD · Answer

If those are our true pre-op base diameter measurements, I would not have chosen and UHP implant and instead one with a wider base diameter closer to yours, with the caveat that it would have also caused  a little more side breast projection, perhaps something the surgeon was trying to avoid.  Go back to your surgeon and express your concerns.

Rohit Jaiswal, MD · Answer

If the measurements you listed of your breast base width and implant diameter are accurate, this may explain why there is a large intermammary distance (i.e. gap). However, if you are soon after surgery then the results may continue to change in your favor. I usually try to match the implant width closely with the patient's base width, as this will fill out the breast footprint and create the most natural full look. An implant that is too narrow for the base width will not fill out tissues as much as would be desired, while one that is too wide risks the formation of symmastia (aka: uni-boob) or excessive fullness on the outer breast. An ultra high profile implant should really only be reserved for patients with a narrow breast base width who desire a large size implant. Diameters of 14-14.5 cm would be unlikely to require an ultra high profile unless a very large volume was desired. An 11.1 cm diameter is more appropriate for patients in the 11-12 cm base width range. Hopefully there was a discussion between you and your surgeon pre-operatively regarding the impact of profile on implant choice. I explain to my patients that profile really only comes into play when trying to put more volume into a narrower space- I tell them to not focus on profile choice as much as figuring out the overall desired fullness/volume, and whatever profile matches the anatomy best will be the right choice. I counsel my patients to wait until the 6 month mark to know the final results. At that point, if revisions are needed we can discuss it at that time. Consider asking your surgeon about your concerns and about expected changes over the next few months.

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good morning!You're absolutely correct you need wider implants to fill the gap! I like a nice one finger gap unless a patient wants closer.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

Discuss this with your surgeon at your next visit. Mostly all of our patients desire as much cleavage as possible. We try to enhance that not only with implants of proper dimension but dissection medially as much as the insertion of the pectoralis major muscle will allow.

Are my breast implants too narrow for my breast width diameter, causing too wide a gap on my chest? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant Selection

Answer: Implant Selection

Answer: Gap between breasts?

Answer: Gap between breasts?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Are my breast implants too narrow for my breast width diameter, causing too wide a gap on my chest? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant Selection

Answer: Implant Selection

Answer: Gap between breasts?

Answer: Gap between breasts?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.