Will 450cc high profile saline implants be too big for me? I'm 5'4", 124lbs, and I want to go from B to C/D. (Photo)

Sizing is perhaps the hardest decision
for a patient to make, as well as the surgeon. Cup size estimates can be
misleading, but I generally advise patients that they will experience an
increase of approximately one cup size per 200 cc. You can try on implants in
the office by placing them into a special bra.Approximately 50 cc (1-2 oz.) is added to the final volume to account
for flattening of the implant in the partial submuscular pocket. Once you
decide on a size you like, then add on about 25-50 cc, because in real life the
implant will be flattened slightly by your tissues.Multiple measurements need to be taken to fit an
implant to your exact anatomy. Have your surgeon's office show you the
charts of the implant dimensions for the various profiles of silicone and
saline from the manufacturer. Then you and your surgeon can piece
together the puzzle by matching your measurements, with your wishes, versus
your tissue cover and the available implants to arrive at a surgical plan.Keep in mind larger implants tend to have
more problems over the years.Since silicone
implants wrinkle less than saline implants, they might be your best bet.You can also approximate this at home by
measuring out an equivalent amount of rice placed into a cutoff foot of old
panty-hose, and put this in your bra.Wear this around the house for a while, and see what you think.Implant size must square with assessments of
tissue cover, breast diameter, and chest wall width.
Multiple measurements of your chest wall are taken (seven in total). Implant size selection has been an issue of
much discussion. Therefore, I use a wide variety of
methods, but the implant size is always established preoperatively.Also, patients are advised to bring reference
photos demonstrating their ideal size and shape. A photo album of patient
pictures is maintained to assist them. These photos ultimately help in
determining where the implants will be placed, since they can be shifted inside
(to provide more cleavage), to the outside, up or superiorly, and down or
inferiorly during surgery. In determining the final size selection, I always
place the highest priority on the preoperative measurements and potential
tissue cover. Then, the patient’s verbal requests are factored into the
analysis.Good luck, “Dr. Joe”

Unfortunately,
you have not told us your bra size just your cup size.If you are 32 or 34 each 100 cc’s of implant
corresponds to 1 cup size change.If you
are 36 or 38 each 200 cc’s of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change.From this, you can compute the volume
required to achieve your desired goal.I
always recommend small round textured silicone gel implants placed retro-pectoral
since they look and feel more natural, are more stable, less likely to ripple
or have complications needing revision.Implant profile is irrelevant in the retro-pectoral position since the
muscle compresses it.From your
photographs, your breasts are widely separated and pointing outward.You would benefit from a simultaneous lift
procedure.I recommend a new technique
called Breast Augmentation with Mini Ultimate Breast Lift™.Using only a circumareola incision it is
possible to reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness, elevate
them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.Through the same incision, implants can be
placed.Aligning the areola, breast
tissue and implant over the bony prominence of the chest wall maximizes
anterior projection with a minimal size implant.You will get a better long term result by
using a smaller implant and simultaneous lift rather than using a large implant
such as 450 cc.450 cc implants weigh
about 1 lb each, will extrude inferiorly and laterally requiring revision.22% of women who undergo breast augmentation
alone require revision within 2 years because they are dissatisfied with the
result.Frequent causes for
dissatisfaction are over implantation and not performing a simultaneous lift
when needed.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

If you go with the 450 cc implants you will more likely be a D cup rather than a C cup.  I don't feel it would be too large, but I certainly would go no larger.

Hello! Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size. The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements. Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size. I typically encourage my patients not to communicate her desires in cup size but more on the actual look and appearance. Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step. Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type, incision, placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and fitting the right implant for your breast width. Hope me that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Based on your photos- you are good candidate for breast augmentation. It is always wiser to determine the right size during the sizing process with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. In my opinion, you should have nice results with 375-420cc. But ultimately -- this is your decision.

Wow, well 450cc is lot of implant just so you know for someone who is 5'4" and looking to go up a cup size or two.  Just make sure that is the look you're looking for.  My experience is that 350-375cc would easily achieve a C/D however your frame may pull off 450cc well.   Make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified and has experience with fitting implants as implants that don't fit can have problems later.  Best Wishes!!

Thank you for the pictures. It's hard to say whether this implant will work for you. Implants provide results differently in different patients. Physical examination and in person consultation would give you a better opinion as to if this volume implant will meet your expectations. Good luck.

Thank you for your question and posting appropriate pictures. In general precise advice cannot be given online, however, based on the pictures and the implant size you have chosen you likely will be in the D cup range. It may be prudent for you to revisit your plastic surgeon and discuss sizing preferably undergo Vectra 3-D imaging to simulate you size after surgery. Breast of luck.

Breast implant size is highly dependent not only on your size and weight, but more importantly on your breast measurements and dimensions. Without examining you, it is difficult for me to tell you whether or not it may be too big for your breast dimension. 450 cc typically results in a D size bra cup, but all bras fit differently, so no guarantees can be made. It is a typical size we use in Las Vegas to achieve a D size bra. I have seen 450 cc look great in women with similar height and weight, and then too large in others. Every size looks different in every patient. I am not fond of the look of high profile saline implants, and feel that the high profile silicone implants look and feel a bit more natural. Keep in mind that in going with a high profile saline implant, you are slightly compromising naturalness; your appearance will clearly be typical of a woman with large implants. Also realize that larger implants such as a 450 cc implant will cause pressure on surrounding tissues, tissue thinning, risks for implant perceptibility and rippling, and even potential for tissue stretch and sagging over time. A lot depends on your current breast tissue thickness and overall skin tone. It is true, that most women wish they would have gone larger, so when trying to decide between two different sizes, I do usually recommend choosing the larger. 

There are several factors that plastic surgeons consider when recommending implant sizes. I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients:1. Dimensional planning2. Gel Implant Sizing systemDimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. However, there are some limitations of what size we can recommend. For instance, some implants may just be too big for a narrow chest wall. Your surgeon can review this with you during the consultation.Gel Implant Sizing system – During the preliminary breast implant consultation, you will be provided with an option to “try on” a variety of implant shapes and sizes. You can also visualize the possible outcomes of your surgery which helps you to get that perfect size to give you the shape that you longed for. This way your preferences are known and you can then pick a range of implants that will “fit” just right to give a soft natural fuller look. Hope this helps.Dr.BasuHouston, TX