Breast augmentation with implants can help you revise your breast proportions to your liking. But with so many variables to decide between, choosing an implant size can seem a little daunting. By reaching out to a qualified plastic surgeon, you can confidently find your ideal breast size.
Once you learn about the range of implant options, the factors that might influence them, and the details to remember about your figure, you can find suitable breast implants that fulfill your aesthetic and functional goals.
At Gables Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jorge de la Pedraja can help you with this process. Here is an overview of choosing the correct implant size for your breast augmentation.
What Is Breast Augmentation, and Why Does Size Matter?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that allows you to enhance your breast size with silicone or saline implants.
Breast implants are available in various sizes and shapes, giving you the flexibility to select your ideal appearance. Since modern breast implants last at least a decade, choosing wisely is crucial for your long-term satisfaction.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Your Implant Size?
Dr. de la Pedraja will use his expertise to help you make the ideal choices, based on variables like these.
Your Current Breast Proportions
Your natural breast size, shape, projection, and contours are crucial when picking the correct implant size for your breast augmentation. By understanding what you want to change about your breasts, you can look for an implant size and material to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Your Overall Figure
Your body type – including your chest, shoulder, and hip proportions – also play a role in choosing your implant size. Your goal is to get implants that balance your silhouette and help you become more confident in your appearance.
Your Aesthetic Goals
Some women prefer subtle, natural-looking breast implant results, while others can’t wait to show off their enhanced figure. Depending on your inclinations, you can explore implant size options that feel more appealing to you.
Your Lifestyle
If you love sports, challenging workouts, and outdoor adventures, you may want to opt for more modest breast implants. Alternatively, if you are not worried about larger breasts impeding your physical activities, you may look toward larger sizes.
How Can You Determine Your Ideal Breast Size?
Seeking expert advice from a qualified plastic surgeon is the optimal way to determine your ideal breast size. Before consulting with a breast surgery expert, consider the following factors to narrow down your ideal breast size.
- Height
- Body type
- Aesthetic preferences
- Lifestyle
For instance, if you are tall and broad-chested, larger implants might fit your frame seamlessly. Smaller implants will likely be a better choice if you are petite. Still, implant size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, so you’d be wise to discuss all your goals and concerns with a plastic surgeon.
What Are the Available Types of Breast Implants?
Breast implants come in silicone and saline. Either type may last at least a decade before you begin considering a replacement.
Silicone
Silicone implants consist of an outer shell filled with a silicone gel. Most patients say they prefer the natural look and feel. While traditional silicone implants carry the risk of spreading the gel into the surrounding breast tissue in the rare event of a rupture, cohesive gel implants avoid this possibility due to their more stable form. The gel implants used today have a more cohesive gel to minimize gel bleed if there is a rupture.
Saline
Saline implants have an outer shell made of silicone and are filled with sterile saltwater. Unlike silicone implants, which come pre-filled, saline implants come empty. Your surgeon will fill them with the saltwater solution after inserting them into your breasts. This flexibility makes them adjustable.
While silicone implants are more popular, some women prefer saline implants for safety reasons. If saline implants rupture, the resulting health risks are minimal because your body will harmlessly absorb the sterile solution.
Other Variables
Both breast implant materials are available in a wide range of sizes. They also come in round or teardrop shapes, depending on whether you prefer a more dramatic or natural-looking enhancement. Additionally, silicone and saline implants come in different profile options that affect their fullness, shape, and how far they project from your chest wall.
How Do You Choose the Appropriate Implant Size and Profile?
When you start looking at implants, you may be surprised to find they do not correspond to your bra cups. Instead, these devices come in cubic centimeters. Many women choose implants between 250 and 500 CC, though smaller and larger sizes are available.
CCs do not directly correlate to a cup size increase because your proportions affect how implants may enhance your figure. If you’re taller than average or have a broad chest and shoulders, the number of cubic centimeters needed to translate to a cup size boost will likely be higher, as the implant volume will spread more thinly on a larger frame.
Implant profile refers to the fullness of your breast implants and how much they project from your chest after your breast augmentation. These options include low-profile, moderate-plus-profile, high-profile, and extra-high-profile. Your plastic surgeon can help you determine which profile may help you achieve your desired appearance.
How Can You Confidently Choose the Right Implant Size?
Discussing your goals and concerns with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon is the most effective way to find the correct breast implant size for you. Breast specialists have effective tools, visual references, and seasoned advice to help you make an informed decision about your breast implant surgery.
Ask your surgeon to provide the following.
- Before-and-after photos: View real-life breast augmentation results of patients with a similar body type.
- Breast measurements: Get personalized advice from your plastic surgeon about the size range of breast implants that may suit you.
- Reference implant sizes: Explore physical samples of implants that fall in the range of your ideal breast size and shape.
What Can You Expect During Breast Augmentation Surgery and Recovery?
Once you have chosen your ideal implant size with help from a qualified plastic surgeon, you can proceed with your augmentation. Since breast implant surgery is an outpatient procedure, you do not need to stay at t