"Tasteful" is a subjective judgement....the question is will your soft tissues accommodate the larger implant. Likely an increase of only 100 cc (22%) especially as your current implants are 14 years old will be easily accommodated. Saline tends to project more that silicone for similar volumes and therefore when switching form saline to silicone it is not unusual to "upsize" the implant volume (like from 450 to 550) without a significant change in appearance. Also the pocket revision (likely closing off portions of the capsule from inside) to move your new implants more medially/less lateral fallout/better cleavage will be beneficial overall.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It will take a minimum of 100 cc for you to tell any difference at all. If you want to be a bit bigger, I think you're making a great decision.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Hi, thank you for your question! 100 cc's will not be a dramatic change in how you currently look. If your desired look is to be slightly larger, this could be a nice change for you. I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes. If you like the way you look from the front, but want more upper fullness when you look at your profile, then you want to change to an UHP implant. If you stay with the same profile, you will just get wider rather than stick out (project) further.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

That is about one cup size enlargement. It is all a matter of preference!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, this increase can usually be carried out very nicely even with a pocket modification.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Secondary breast augmentation is fairly straightforward, and going up about 50 to 100 cc is very appropriate because the tissues have had time to relax around the previous implants. If pocket work is needed, the shape of the implant can be altered to help with a narrower chest and the lateral breast repair while maintaining breast volume.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals--in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers and computer imaging, as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning)--will be critical.

Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation revision surgery (regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:

1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully.

Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.

2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon.

This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. For example, I have found that the use of know words such as “natural” or "D cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful. Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.

3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.

Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery, after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.

I hope this helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. No, I don't think 550 cc's is too much. Going from a saline to silicone implant, there will be a minimal size increase with that implant. The base diameters of the two implants may be very similar depending on which profile saline implant you have in now and the base fill volume of that implant. Your surgeon may want to consider using Seri surgical scaffold for lateral support of the implant, in addition to capsulorrhaphy, depending on the thickness of your tissue.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It's about a 1/2 cup increase, which isn't much of a difference. Saline can stay forever as long as they don't rupture, while silicone implants are supposed to be checked by MRI at 3, 5, 7, 9 years. Why do you want the extra expense? Be sure to get Rx for Accolate after the surgery to help prevent capsular contracture.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Going from 450cc to 550cc is not a big change at all. Think of it in layman's terms: 100cc is a third of a can of soda, so not an enormous change at all. That change will add some fullness, but other than that, I doubt most will even register a change unless you tell them you had something done. I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I think you have a good plan. Of course, without seeing you, it seems you would do very well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012