No One Can Tell I Had Any Work Done After my Breast Augmentation?

You and/or your surgeon were correct in adding additional volume to your chosen "tester size," but 50cc was on the low side, as was your estimate of 400cc adding two cup sizes.

I have told my patients for years (and stated many times on this site) that it takes about 250cc to equal about one cup size, so by this method, you would have added just over 1 1/2 cup sizes to whatever breast volume you started with, not 2 cup sizes! I also tell patients that they should expect that I will add between 50-100cc to whatever size they like in the sizing room. In other words, if they like a 250cc implant and are a petite woman, then I would usually add 50cc for the "below the muscle" visible difference. A woman who likes the 600cc sizers will likely require about 700cc implants (anatomy allowing) to get that same look they preferred in the sizing room. At 350cc, I would probably have used implants in the 425cc range. Although that is only 25cc more (less than an ounce) than your 400cc implants, it would have been closer to the size you want, since you are obviously too small now. This is, BTW, the most common reason for re-operation!

Perhaps you really need to reevaluate your size choice, since it appears you will require re-operation to become happy with your result. You may actually need 500cc or more to get the look you desire, and if you want a (less natural) higher, projecting "look," you may prefer moderate plus or high profile implants, depending on your breast base width and implant base diameter so as to avoid a too-wide cleavage.

No one wants to be "too big," but "truly upset beyond words" is equally bad. Please do more homework before you ask for secondary surgery, and wait at least 3 months (6 months is better). Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

400cc by itself is certainly a noticeable volume that should not go un-noticed.  Two possible reasons why a 400cc would go un-noticed is if you already had large breasts and proportionally this was not such a big increase (however you would have to have had large breasts to start with) or perhaps you wore pushup bra or other bras that added the appearance of volume to your breasts which now is being done by the implants.  It is also possible that the volume you got is not 400cc... is it possible you got less than 400?  Or perhaps you had a leak?  

What was you initial cup size?  What is your height and weight?

While the average patient's change in breast size post-op is usually two breast sizes, the final result is quite variable for a number of reasons.  Pre-op simulation with computer simulation or implants in the bra is not completely accurate because it cannot completely simulate the bodies effect on the implant.  Additionally, the variability of the skin envelope, breast tissue,breast volume, muscle size, and skeletal configuration all have a significant impact.  Despite a surgeons's and patient's best efforts final postoperative size can only be estimated not gauranteed. At least one study has shown that the use of pre and postoperative photos of patients with similar breast size, height, weight and a postoperative result that the patient likes is a very useful tool in improving satisfaction with postoperative breast size.  This information is used with measurements, other simulations and patient desires to achieve the desired outcome.  I would recommend you pull up photos on a website like implantinfoof results you like and share them with your surgeon.  Good Luck!

 

  It seems unusual that a 400cc implant has not provided you with a significant size change.  It's possible that you were wearing heavily padded bras pre-operatively so that you had been accustomed to your look?  

Sizing methods can fall short as the implants can look very different under the tissues at the time of surgery. The shape of the selected implant can also affect your final appearance as well(mod or high profile).

It's best to wait at least 6 months to a year to  judge your final outcome and to consult with your surgeon for a possible size increase.

I am sorry to hear that you did not get the result that you were expecting after a breast augmentation. Selecting an implant size is something that creates significant stress beforehand, and the final selection is not always what is expected. While sizing systems, testers, and computer imaging can be helpful, it can sometimes be inexact, and occasionally women wish that they went with a different size.

The best advice that I could give would be to give it some more time. Your breasts need to further heal and you need some more time to get used to the result. If after some more time, you remain dissatisfied with the size, the implants can be exchanged for a larger size. I am sure that your plastic surgeon would be happy to discuss this with you when the time is right.

For now, hang in there.

Jeff Rockmore