If you were once a full 40DD and want to look augmented, you will probably need more than 450cc to give you the result you want (remember, you will probably lose at least 75cc per side just with the skin resection for your lift, even if none of the breast tissue is removed).

With an augmentation and lift you're looking for the two operations to do three separate things. The lift will give you a new curvature on the bottom of your breast so that your skin is not "saggy" or deflated. Then the augmentation will give you the fullness you want up top. Finally, the lift will reposition your nipple into the center of your new breast mound.

If you were a full 40DD in the past, and assuming that you're at least 5'5" or taller, you almost certainly will need more than 450cc to fill out your upper pole the way it sounds like you want (and you probably wouldn't be asking this question if you weren't concerned that 450cc might be a little on the small side).

Unfortunately, with larger implant sizes, the risk of nipple or areola necrosis goes up rapidly with simultaneous breast lift and augmentation. Your surgeon may be wisely recommending a slightly smaller size in order to decrease this risk. However, if your implant isn't big enough to begin with, there's no way you'll be happy in the long run.

Without having seen you in person, I clearly can't give anything like a specific recommendation, but I have seen lots of patients whose bodies and goals seem similar to yours. I almost always recommend to them that they undergo two separate procedures (sometimes the lift goes first, sometimes the implant does - depending on how large they want to be and how much loose skin they have). It's a bummer to know you need surgery twice, but it's better to know it up front rather than only realizing after surgery that you will have to choose between not being as full as you want, versus having another operation.

Good luck - I hope everything goes just like you want!!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This is a very difficult question to answer. I would go back into consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon and try sizers on to make sure the "volume" you are choosing seems appropriate. Then, I would discuss the profile/projection of the implant to make sure that will meet your expectations. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This really depends on your height and width. A 6 foot tall woman needs a larger implant than a 5 foot tall woman, and a woman with 16 cm width of her breast should have a larger one than a woman 5 foot. 450 cc may be okay for a short woman, but you'd need to try it on to be sure. We always have our patients try on some different size implants and pick the one that they prefer. Good luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Every size is really personal. I have a thorough discussion with my patients and listen to what they want. Then together we decide how to proceed. About every 120-150cc will increase your cup size by one. If you are talking DD or XL sizes, you may want to visit my website www.XLBREASTIMPLANTS.INFO for that is my specialty.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for the question. Definitive advice would require in person evaluation, including careful measurements and careful communication of your personal goals, when it comes to providing you with specific enough advice to be truly helpful.

My best advice: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that he/she has significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, communicate your goals carefully as well. I find that the use of goal photographs and computer imaging are very helpful during this communication phase. Working together you will come up with a good plan to achieve your goals. Best wishes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for posting your question. The best way to find out the right implant size is to meet with a few plastic surgeons to get various opinions. It is impossible to know if 450cc's is the best size without seeing you in person for an evaluation. During my consultations, I take extensive measurements, look at my patient's overall body type/shape, show different pictures of breasts to get a visual of what look my patient likes, and have them use my The Look I Want interactive diagram to demonstrate what they like.

Published on Jul 11, 2012