If you already have implants, then your decisions should be based on how you like your current size. If you are wanting a natural yet noticeable increase, I would think 550-600 seems quite large for your height, weight and chest width. High profile will tend to look more dramatic than other profiles so if you are wanting more projection and upper fullness, this could be a good option. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to determine the perfect size - it comes down to personal preference and which doctor you feel most comfortable with. I would recommend finding "after" breast augmentation photos online and showing your preferred plastic surgeon these photos. This is a great way to be sure you get the look you want.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You have to decide what is right for you. You can go to three more consultations and get three additional different recommendations. At the end of the day, you have to go with the board-certified plastic surgeon who is likely to give you the results that you expect.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

First of all, silicone requires a larger incision, has no adjustability, requires MRI's at 3, 5, 7, 9 years post op, and cost a lot more to start with. When you use a saline implant and place it under the muscle, it's very difficult to tell the difference between it and a silicone implant, which is why I recommend saline. For your small size, doubling the implant size will not look natural. I recommend high profile saline implants, 380 cc's filled to 450 cc's. This will make you a 1/2 cup larger but will add more projection than your current implants.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I would ask your board-certified plastic surgeon if he or she uses sizers while you are having the surgery performed. We always use sterile sizers and sit the patient up while asleep and see what it looks like when the implants are actually under the muscle. I find it helpful when patients bring in photos of their goal, and then we use these photos while the patient is sitting up on the operating table as a comparison. If you feel comfortable with your surgeon, this should help you trust him/her fully in the ultimate decision to getting you closest to your goal. Great question. Good luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

What I tell patients is that I can't put a gallon of milk in a quart container, so I make the pocket and have several sized implants available and put one in then another until I get one that looks full and natural.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

We offer a unique imaging system to let patients see what different sizes will look like on them. We can even do this by you sending us a photo.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. The truth is you can do all of those sizes, and virtually any size in between 320-600cc's silicone breast implants. The size a patient chooses has to do a little bit with breast width and body shape, but it is mainly patient preference. Although it is usually not a good idea to choose an implant width that is much larger than your natural breast width, it is certainly possible to do so, especially if the chest is naturally wide, and it is possible to make them look good. Just like patients like different color cars or different types of shoes, different patients like different breasts, so the choice is largely an individual one. In general, if you want the breast to look more natural typically a smaller breast size hats close to the base width of your breast will make them look more natural. Larger breasts sizes tend to look less natural, but can still look very good. In general, if you want to see a real difference in your current size and a new size typically you have to go up at least 100ccs. The average size we put in for a patient who is 5'3" is around 400-425 cc's, but it is not uncommon for patients that size to request implants in the 500-550 cc range. The best thing to do is to try on the implants in the sizes you are considering and see how they look. I wish you luck with your choices.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

According to the best studies published in plastic surgery journals, if your width is 12-12.5 then you should have 300cc implants. The amount could go as high as 390 if your breasts are empty and stretched. There is no system of measurement that suggests 450-600 for someone with measurements like yours.

You should avoid high profile implants because they create an abnormally spherical looking breast and put excessive pressure on the skin and soft tissue of the breasts, often resulting in uncorrectable problems later.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is difficult without pictures and an inpatient physical examination to give you any specific recommendations. We generally recommend patients bring several pictures of breast sizes that they are seeking 2 their consultation. At that point we can also check the quality of her skin and they're native breast tissue.my recommendations are you picked a plastic surgeon that has a good reputation who is board certified and has experienced in this procedure and discuss all of your goals and expectations with them. Be sure to bring a copy of a photo of the breast size that you are seeking. Best of luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Option 1 and 2 are virtually the same, and represent a near doubling of your current implant size, about a 70% enlargement. It makes me wonder if those surgeons took into account your desire to look 'natural', or if they determined that your vision of natural was more full and augmented looking. Additionally, some surgeons believe that the soft tissue envelope (your breast) is infinitely expandable, and any implant can be stuffed into it. Unfortunately, this is not true, and is one of the major reasons for complications and reoperations. Option 3 represents a 35% increase in volume, certainly noticeable, and perhaps a cup size change. Based on dimensional measurements (of which base width is only one, another more important measurement is nipple to inframammary fold length under stretch) this size may be more reasonable for you. Only a physical exam would determine this. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I will speak in fact. The diameter of a 550 Mentor Moderate Plus is 14.6- 600 is 15cm. 600 High Profile is 14cm. The diameter of the 450-475 Natrelle is 12.4-12.6cm. So, you be the judge.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question.
Best thing to do is communicate with your surgeon. I ask my patients to bring in pictures of breast sizes that they like and even dislike. I review these photos with the patient and discuss if it is reasonable with their body type, size,etc.. I take these photos to the operating room with me and when the patients is on the operating room table, I use temporary sizers to view how different cc's look on the patient. I sit the patient up on the operating room several times and compare them with the photos that they have chosen. When I see that I have achieved the patient's goals, I remove the temporary sizers and put in the implants. There is no guess work. I have all sizes from both manufactorers available to me at all times. This procedure takes more time BUT gives more exact results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

These questions are always difficult to answer without an exam. Base width is one important parameter in deciding implant size and shape, but there are a host of other parameters as well- especially in a patient who already has implants.

You will need to go up at least 125-150cc to see a significant increase in size- as to how your tissues will support these larger implants is another story that I cannot answer. I am glad to see that you have had multiple consults to get several opinions- and all are likely valid. At 5'5", a 600cc implant will likely not be what many consider a "natural" look and depending upon your body habitusmay make you look heavy in some clothes- something to keep in mind.

I hope this helps

Published on Jul 11, 2012

If you have 350cc already, then you need at least 100-150cc more to even see a change in the breasts. With a BWD around 12.5cm, the moderate plus range of implant woul be way too wide for your frame. That necessitates using a HP or UHP implant to maintain relative width but achieve more volume. A 500cc HP implant is 13.3 cm wide. A 600cc HP is about 14cm wide which is a big jump in width from 12-12.5cm. Without examining you it is impossible to say what would work the best, but something in the 450-500cc HP range is probably what will work.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Typically a size increase of 50cc is barely noticeable, an increase of 100cc is a modest increase and 150-200cc if your skin can tolerate it is a substantial and very noticeable increase. I would recommend discussing your desire with your surgeon and make sure your body can tolerate the size increase.

Published on Jul 11, 2012