The number of cc's told to me by my PS differ from what the staff told me I'd be receiving over the phone. How do I know which info is accurate?

The number of cc's told to me by my PS differ from what the staff told me I'd be receiving over the phone. How do I know which info is accurate? Is that just the number or the implant? Will I still be receiving 450cc? Mentor moderate saline implant.

Answers from doctors (9)


Your surgeon will have the final say. If there is any confusion, defer to your surgeon as he or she will (should) know what the operative plan is.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Your surgeon will have the final say. If there is any confusion, defer to your surgeon as he or she will (should) know what the operative plan is.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Charles A. Messa, III, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Jan 15, 2017

Thank you for your question. You should discuss the size of the breast implants with your plastic surgeon. A Mentor saline implant has a minimal fill volume and an ideal "overfill" volume. Saline implants should have a certain amount of "overfill" to reduce the incidence of leakage and rippling. For example, if you have a 425cc moderate profile style 1600 saline implant from Mentor placed, the end fill volume should be 475cc. The amount of saline added may vary between the two breasts, depending on the presence of preexisting asymmetry. It's best to have your concerns addressed by your surgeon directly. Take care.

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Answered by Charles A. Messa, III, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Thank you for your question. You should discuss the size of the breast implants with your plastic surgeon. A Mentor saline implant has a minimal fill volume and an ideal "overfill" volume. Saline implants should have a certain amount of "overfill" to reduce the incidence of leakage and rippling. For example, if you have a 425cc moderate profile style 1600 saline implant from Mentor placed, the end fill volume should be 475cc. The amount of saline added may vary between the two breasts, depending on the presence of preexisting asymmetry. It's best to have your concerns addressed by your surgeon directly. Take care.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Robert Kearney, MD

Published on Jan 13, 2017

I doubt your PS would lie to you, there is no reason for him/her to. You can get a copy of the operative note and the volume will be printed on that note.

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Answered by Robert Kearney, MD

I doubt your PS would lie to you, there is no reason for him/her to. You can get a copy of the operative note and the volume will be printed on that note.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


James D. Wethe, M.D.

Published on Jan 13, 2017

Well, the easy and best answer is to direct that question to your plastic surgeon. Saline implants have an external shell that can accommodate a range of "fill" volumes. This means that a 425cc shell may have as little as 425cc or up to 475cc, or even more depending on the manufacturer's guidelines. I would directly ask your surgeon exactly what size "shell" will be placed and what volume will then be filled into that shell. The operative records will also reflect that information with exact amounts. Hope this helps, but certainly you should not feel timid about asking for this information. Commonly, you will also be given a manufacturer's card (which looks like a wallet sized credit card) that will have this information on it.

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Answered by James D. Wethe, M.D.

Well, the easy and best answer is to direct that question to your plastic surgeon. Saline implants have an external shell that can accommodate a range of "fill" volumes. This means that a 425cc shell may have as little as 425cc or up to 475cc, or even more depending on the manufacturer's guidelines. I would directly ask your surgeon exactly what size "shell" will be placed and what volume will then be filled into that shell. The operative records will also reflect that information with exact amounts. Hope this helps, but certainly you should not feel timid about asking for this information. Commonly, you will also be given a manufacturer's card (which looks like a wallet sized credit card) that will have this information on it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery

Published on Jan 10, 2017

The number of cc's listed on the breast implant paperwork indicates the minimal fill volume, NOT the total volume placed. There is also a maximum recommended fill volume. This allows the surgeon to "fine tune" your implant size to accommodate for optimal appearance and to help correct minor size asymmetry/differences. Lastly, a traditional saline implant does not adjust for the volume of the silicone envelope/"baggy" that contains it, whereas a silicone implant does. The only exception is the IDEAL structured saline implant, which will give you the true volume similar to a silicone implant. The IDEAL implant is a structured saline implant that has a similar feel of silicone but peace of mind of saline.

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Answered by Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery

The number of cc's listed on the breast implant paperwork indicates the minimal fill volume, NOT the total volume placed. There is also a maximum recommended fill volume. This allows the surgeon to "fine tune" your implant size to accommodate for optimal appearance and to help correct minor size asymmetry/differences. Lastly, a traditional saline implant does not adjust for the volume of the silicone envelope/"baggy" that contains it, whereas a silicone implant does. The only exception is the IDEAL structured saline implant, which will give you the true volume similar to a silicone implant. The IDEAL implant is a structured saline implant that has a similar feel of silicone but peace of mind of saline.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Joseph Cruise, MD

Published on Jan 10, 2017

Unfortunately, this is not an answer anyone on this forum can answer. If there is confusion between what is being said by staff and your plastic surgeon, I would ask to have your surgeon call you to confirm the size. Miscommunication can cause problems down the road, and that's not what you want when having surgery. Tell the office it's imperative you hear from your surgeon to clarify the implant size.

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Answered by Joseph Cruise, MD

Unfortunately, this is not an answer anyone on this forum can answer. If there is confusion between what is being said by staff and your plastic surgeon, I would ask to have your surgeon call you to confirm the size. Miscommunication can cause problems down the road, and that's not what you want when having surgery. Tell the office it's imperative you hear from your surgeon to clarify the implant size.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Published on Jan 10, 2017

Your plastic surgeon has marked in his notes what he has ordered for you. With saline, they can be filled more or less. I'm sure the staff is making that remark to you based on that experience. However, you should see your doctor and have the surgeon tell you what to expect. Also, once you have surgery, you will get a registry card with all the details, including what you had done.

Wishing you all the best!

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Answered by Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Your plastic surgeon has marked in his notes what he has ordered for you. With saline, they can be filled more or less. I'm sure the staff is making that remark to you based on that experience. However, you should see your doctor and have the surgeon tell you what to expect. Also, once you have surgery, you will get a registry card with all the details, including what you had done.

Wishing you all the best!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Edward Domanskis M.D.

Published on Jan 10, 2017

You can discuss the number of cc's with your plastic surgeon. In a saline implant, I normally place more than the shell of the implant. So, if the shell is 450cc, I put in more than that.

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Answered by Edward Domanskis M.D.

You can discuss the number of cc's with your plastic surgeon. In a saline implant, I normally place more than the shell of the implant. So, if the shell is 450cc, I put in more than that.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Susan Vasko MD, FACS

Published on Jan 10, 2017

I would call the office and ask that question, or request another appointment to ask your plastic surgeon. It may be a miscommunication within the office. Also, since you are using saline, the implant size and the final fill volume may not be the same. Your surgeon should be able to offer some clarity.

Answered by Susan Vasko MD, FACS (View Profile)

I would call the office and ask that question, or request another appointment to ask your plastic surgeon. It may be a miscommunication within the office. Also, since you are using saline, the implant size and the final fill volume may not be the same. Your surgeon should be able to offer some clarity.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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