It can be challenging to decide on your own what size and shape of implants you want. The majority of the time, your surgeon will make recommendations based on what they believe is best for you, taking into account both your desired surgical outcome and your chest measurements.
In this guide, we review the following: How do I choose the right size for breast implants, how to choose breast size for reduction, implant sizes after double mastectomy, and how to choose the right size breast augmentation.
How do I choose the right size for breast implants
The thought of choosing exactly how you want your breasts to be can be a daunting experience, so we have put together some tips which we hope you will find helpful.
Don’t base your goals on bra size
The biggest confusion that we find patients have in clinic is knowing what size implant is going to give them a certain bra cup size. This is not how we measure patients and we do not use cup sizes as a unit of measurement in clinic. Bra sizes are not accurate and where you may be one size in one store, you can be a different size when shopping in another.
How many CC’s are in a bra cup size?
Breast implants are sized by CC which stands for cubic centimetres. The larger the CC, the more volume and the bigger the breast implant will be. We estimate that anywhere from 130 to 150 CCs will reflect an increase in bra cup size.
We try to discourage patients from being set on being a particular bra size as this cannot be guaranteed so it is best to work with the CC measurement of implants, and try a variety of sizes as well as different profiles too as these will all impact the final result.
6 weeks following your surgery, we will be able to estimate what bra size you may be but you will need to go and be professionally measured to ensure that you are wearing the correct sized bra post-surgery so we also do not recommend buying any new bras until this stage either.
Understand your body
When you attend an appointment with your surgeon, they will take a lot of measurements from you including details of your height, weight, body frame, shoulder width and starting breast volume. All of these will need to be considered when it comes to choosing your implant.
The best ideal size for a small frame is going to be different when compared to the best ideal size for a medium frame. So it may seem like your surgeon has suggested what you would consider to be a very large implant, but in relation to your body – it is likely to give the same result that a smaller sized implant would on someone who is more petite in frame.
Understanding your body and what is going to look in proportion to your body is very important and this will be the basis of your surgeon’s recommendation during your consultation. It is also important to understand that there may be a limit of how small or how large of an implant that your surgeon is willing to use on you – this will come down to what they think is suitable for you and your shape and is less likely to give your any complications or complaints post-surgery.
Know your comfort zone
Many people think that breast implants are only for people who are outgoing and like to draw attention to themselves – this is not the case at all. We see patients from a variety of backgrounds in our clinics all with their own reasons for wanting to enhance the size of their chest.
Our surgeons are very skilled in finding the right sized implants to give you confidence when wearing swimwear on the beach, but not damaging your credibility in a more professional setting such as in the office.
Your surgeon will take the time to listen to what you wish to achieve from breast augmentation surgery at your consultation so taking the time to consider your decision will help you to guarantee you are getting the results you want.
Consider your hobbies
Having breast implants should not stop you from undertaking any type of activity but sharing your hobbies with your surgeon can also help to ensure that your chosen implants are not going to impact your ability to carry out these activities at your current comfort level.
When it comes to fitness and exercise, the placement of your implant may need to be taken into consideration as well as the profile. We have performed numerous breast enlargement procedures on many athletic and active patients who have not experienced any discomfort or difficulty from having implants.
Vicky is a personal trainer and fitness influencer who came to us seeking breast implant surgery. Her hard work training in the gym meant she had lost volume in her chest and she was hoping to enhance her size without it impacting her weight training.
Although the 6 weeks of no exercise post-surgery was a challenge, Vicky is now back in the gym and says that the only thing her implants have changed is her confidence and she was gradually able to return to her level of fitness that she was prior surgery and beyond.
Research implant styles
Many patients are surprised to find out that there is not just one size of implant so taking the time to research the different shapes and profiles available will help you in preparation for your appointment.
Breast implants typically come in low, moderate, and high profiles. The profile of an implant refers to the amount of projection that the implant will have.
Implants also come in a variety of shapes, the most common being round or teardrop. Teardrop implants take on the shape of the natural breast whereas round implants are just round. Surgeons often have a preference over which type they prefer to use, and, in most cases, smooth, round implants can achieve a very natural result and is the common option for many of our patients.
how to choose breast size for reduction
Women who choose to have breast reduction surgery are typically extremely happy with the results. Most patients feel that they are much more comfortable, fit in clothes better, and can exercise much more easily. For all these reasons, the patient often sees tremendous gains in self-esteem, fitness, health, and appearance.
Choosing a size after surgery depends on each patient’s goals, desires, starting size and shape.
For example, a young, fit woman who is an active athlete who is a D cup starting out, may wish to be a small B cup afterward. And this may suit her frame and sports endeavors. This breast size after surgery may be inappropriate, indeed impossible, for a patient with a much larger size and significant skin droop. For many patients who are exceptionally large, anything smaller than what they have is an improvement, even if that means ending up a D or DD cup size.
It is difficult to predict cup sizes after surgery for a number of reasons. Bra cup sizes are not standardized between manufacturers, so a C cup in one company may be a D in another. So instead of focusing on cup sizes, most plastic surgeons consider skin measurements in centimeters as a better way to size patients. We measure from the base of the neck (what we call the “sternal notch” to the nipple distance). We then measure from the nipple to the bottom of the breast- the “inframammary fold”. Now we have real numbers to compare among patients.
Regardless of a patient’s height or weight, we find that as long as the nipple height is near the height of the inframammary fold, and the distance from the nipple to the fold is not more than 10-12cm, then patients are pretty comfortable with their breast size. With these measurements, a woman’s bra straps do not have to work very hard to keep the breast in a centered position. We would rarely see such measurements in patients seeking reduction surgery unless they were in the active athlete category and wanted the benefit of a smaller size so they could more easily take part in their profession or hobby, such as tennis, gymnastics, golf, or running. ( The “sports reduction”, as I call it, is a fantastic procedure in the right patient).
So if, for example, a patient comes into the office with a starting breast measurement of 35 cm nipple to neck, and 15 cm to the fold under the breast, then we can be VERY sure that our final result will be MUCH more comfortable. If we raise the nipple height to the level of the fold under the breast (24 cm is likely in this patient) and define a distance from the nipple to the fold of 8 cm, then in most cases, this patient will be a small D cup after surgery. For a very wide and heavier patient, the bra size may still be a DD, though a more slender patient may end up with a C cup with these same measurements. but most all patients will end up very happy!
For patients who want to be significantly smaller– some just have suffered too long with very large breasts and want to be as small as possible– more tissue can be removed to make a smaller size. In a larger, heavier patient, this means that the breast will be quite flat and not at all “perky”. Perkiness is not typically a concern of such patients who just want comfort. For smaller and more petite patients who want a very small breast size, this can also be accomplished with breast reduction surgery, though they do run an increased risk of numbness or inability to breastfeed after surgery. Each patient must balance these pluses and minuses of surgery to make the best decision for themselves.
implant sizes after double mastectomy
Breast implants (silicone or saline) are a good option to rebuild a breast’s shape after a mastectomy. While the main focus is to add volume and size to the reconstructed breast, other procedures such as changing the size/shape of the new breast, and enhancing the opposite breast to match size are common as well. For example, you may elect to have a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation on the other breast to achieve breast symmetry.
Procedure Options
ONE
- A tissue expander will be inserted into the breast area
- Tissue will be expanded through multiple visits to the surgeon’s office for tissue-stretching
- A same-day surgery will then exchange the tissue expander for a permanent implant
TWO
- If you have the right anatomy and are considered an appropriate candidate, an implant will be inserted immediately without the tissue expansion process
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
- Your reconstructed breast will likely not have the same sensations as the breast it replaces
- You will always have visible incision lines present on the breast, whether from reconstruction or mastectomy
Are Breast Implants a Good Option for You?
Breast implants are a good option for you if:
- You are able to cope well with your diagnosis and treatment
- You do not have additional medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair healing
- You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring your breast and body image
Although most women qualify as breast reconstruction patients, there are several factors that may disqualify you. Our highly trained and caring plastic surgeons will discuss this with you at the time of your consultation.
Further Interventions: Breast Implant Exchange/Removal
For personal or medical reasons, you may wish to have your breast implants exchanged for a different type or size, or removed permanently. Older implants (usually after 10-15 years) are often replaced with more natural feeling implants. Breast implant exchange may also be done to remove and replace older implants which have displaced, become encapsulated, ruptured, or leaked. A breast lift sometimes follows.
Is an Implant Exchange or Removal a Good Option for You?
A breast implant exchange or removal may be a good option for you if you experience:
- Poor healing and scarring
- Dissatisfaction with implant size, shape, type or placement
- Capsular contracture (hardened scar tissue)
- Implant rupture
- Implant leakage
- Implant displacement
Insurance Coverage
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) includes protections for individuals who elect breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy. WHCRA provides that group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide coverage for medical and surgical benefits with respect to mastectomies must also cover certain post-mastectomy benefits, including reconstructive surgery and the treatment of complications (such as lymphedema).
- It is always good to check with your individual health insurance carrier for definitive information regarding your coverage.
how to choose the right size breast augmentation
4 Tips for Choosing the Right Breast Implant Size
4 Tips for Choosing the Right Breast Implant Size
One of the most frequently asked questions when considering a breast augmentation is, “What size implants should I get?” Choosing the right size for your body can be an exciting, yet difficult decision, and working with an experienced plastic surgeon can be the first step toward making sure your breast implants are everything you want them to be. To help make things a little easier, we’ve provided our top four tips for choosing the best implant size for you.
1. DON’T MEASURE ACCORDING TO CUP SIZE
It can be tempting to think about your breast augmentation in terms of cup size, but this way of thinking could lead to inaccurate results. In reality, bra cup sizes can vary, sometimes quite significantly, depending on the brand and style. This is also a very subjective way of thinking about breast size, as what one person has in mind when she thinks of a C-cup isn’t necessarily the same C-cup that another woman might be thinking of.
Instead, breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (ccs) of volume, which can ensure standard, accurate measurements every time. If you’re unsure of what a certain volumetric measurement equates to on your body, talk to your plastic surgeon about the various sizing methods that he or she uses to help you visualize the implants prior to surgery. (The American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery)
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROFILE
In addition to implant size, you’ll also want to consider what profile might best meet your goals. In terms of breast augmentation, the profile refers to how far the breast protrudes outward from your body. Thus, a high profile will be the most significant, a low profile will be the most subtle, and a moderate profile will be somewhere in the middle. If you’re looking for very dramatic results, a high profile might be the best option for you, whereas a low to moderate profile can offer more subtle, natural-looking results. (Aesthetic Surgery Journal)
3. UTILIZE SIZER BRAS AND PHOTOS
Even though two women may have the same size implants, each may have a very different look, depending on the natural shape of her body. Because every woman is built uniquely, it can be helpful to use sizing tools like sizer bras and before and after photos to visualize the implants on your body. Keep in mind, though, that while photos can be very helpful when communicating your goals to your plastic surgeon, know that your results may not look exactly like the photos, as your body shape may be different from the pictured woman’s.
4. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR THE BEST PROPORTIONS FOR YOUR BODY
The best candidate for a breast augmentation will maintain realistic expectations about her results throughout the entire process. While breast implants can certainly work to enhance the natural contours of your body and even boost your self-esteem, they’re not meant to act as a magic wand for all body image issues. Remember that your body is unique to you, so your breast augmentation results will also be unique. When choosing an implant size, it’s best to keep in mind that you’re looking to highlight your curves, not completely change them. (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
Once you’ve decided that breast augmentation could be right for you, the next step is to find an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon with whom to work. When choosing a surgeon, it can be a good idea to schedule an initial consultation to make sure you feel confident and comfortable in your ability to communicate your goals and needs with him or her. You should also feel that he or she is properly trained and equipped to guide you through the breast augmentation process, as well as help you choose the best implant size for your body.