Follow-up Question: Is 600cc to big for my size, I have 500cc expanders in right now.

Question

Hey Im 28 years old 5'2 150pds.I had a breast reconstruction because I have the Brca 2 gene. And at 25 yrs old my twin was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 So I decided to get breast reconstruction for prevention measures. I was a 36b/c depending on bra. My doctor put in 500cc tissue expanders. I was wondering if 600cc will be too big for my size??? In what bra size would that make me??? Are should I stay at 500cc cause I do want that natural look.

Dana Coberly, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In my opinion
I would stick with what your Plastic Surgeon is recommending.  You no longer have normal breast tissue and
your skin maybe very thin from the mastectomy. Remember the final implants will
look and feel different than the expanders/ Just make sure to let your surgeon
know what you are looking for. Don’t worry about the bra size. If you are not
happy with the size, ask your Plastic Surgeon if he/she feels comfortable with
adding a little more to your current size. 
If your surgeon does not want to do anymore expansions ask if fat
injections would be an option at your second stage surgery. As long as you feel
that you look ok in clothing, stick with what you have and look forward to your
final results.

Best of luck to you!

E. Stirling Craig, MD · Answer

It is difficult to say what your ideal size would be without seeing you as height/weight do not necessarily correspond to body type. For example, some people have broad shoulders, narrow shoulders but that is not reflected in your height and weight. I would say that given the size specifications that you stated the difference between 500 and 600 cc is usually about a cup of almost a cup size. The average cup size difference is about 150 cc, but again this will depend on how wide of an area that 150 cc is spread out over. If your chest is narrow, then 150 cc will easily be an increase in one cup. If your chest is on the wider size, then 150 cc will be spread out over a larger area and will not really equate to an increase in one cup size. The 'natural look' I think comes from matching the size of the implant, style of the implant (anatomic or smooth round) with the body type (narrow or wide chest, etc,). I hope that helps!

Helena Guarda, MD · Answer

If your expander is filled to 500 cc , then this should give you an idea of what this will look like. Going up to 600 may or may not be a good choice. This depends on the thickness of your skin envelope and if it will expand further to 600.  I often add fat grafting with implant placement to provide a thicker skin envelope. I recommend discussing size with  your PS, they will have better knowledge of your skin and tissue. Best of luck

Follow-up Question: Is 600cc to big for my size, I have 500cc expanders in right now.

Answers (3)

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