Which Breast Implant Size is Right for Me?

Once you have chosen your breast implant material (saline vs. silicone) it’s time to choose the shape and size of the breast implants that will look best on you and achieve your appearance goals! In this article board certified Detroit area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali offer information and tips for choosing the breast implant size that’s best for you.

Remember, when it comes to breast augmentation, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all breast implants. Depending on a variety of factors including heredity, pregnancies, your body shape and proportions, your height and weight, your natural contours, and your lifestyle and aesthetic desires, breast implants must be individually chosen to match each woman and meet her appearance goals.

“Choosing your implant size is a very personal decision,” says board-certified Detroit area plastic surgeon, Dr. Ali. “It is important to first identify your perfect outcome, and then communicate it to your plastic surgeon the best you can.”

In addition to determining the size or “volume” of the breast implant that will look best on your body, the profile, or projection is an important consideration. The “projection” is height of the top of the breast implant from your chest – in other words how far it stands outward from the chest wall.

Don’t Obsess Over Breast Implant Cup Size

“Too many times, patients worry more about cup size and less about the way their new breasts will look and feel,” explains Dr. Ali. “Since cup sizes vary wildly among undergarment manufacturers, they aren’t a good guideline when deciding what size breast implants to get.”

Additionally, a “D cup” may look huge on a woman with a petite bone structure, but may not look big enough on a taller woman with a broader chest area. In stead of measuring breast implant volume by inexact cup size, implant manufacturers measure them using precise cubic centimeters or “CCs”. Breast implants can vary greatly in volume – from as little as 80CCs to as much as 800CCs.

But instead of focusing on a number, patients should focus on of the overall look they want.  You can do this at home with the rice test – or if you are in the greater Detroit area you can come into AMAE Plastic Surgery for Vectra 3d imaging. Vectra 3d is a revolutionary digital imaging system that provides a three-dimensional computerized image of your body with different breast sizes from every angle. This enables you to compare your breast implant options – and see the expected outcomes before your breast implant surgery.

Breast Implant Rice Test

Some people may want to try out different sizes at home before they commit to a breast implant consultation. The “rice test” can give you a rough idea of what breast implants will look and feel like. This fast and simple method lets you see what you may look like with different-size implants – however it is not exact like Vectra 3D imaging at AMAE Plastic Surgery in the Detroit area.

Here are the steps for the breast implant rice test:

• Cut off the feet from pantyhose and discard.
• The new ends will become the mock “breasts,” so place the shortened stocking around your neck, adjusting it to the right length so each end reaches to your ideal breast height.
• Tie the end of each foot.
• Add dry (uncooked!) long-grain rice to each end of the stockings.
• Wear the stockings around your neck.
• Experiment with different fullness in the stockings
• Wear the makeshift rice “breasts”  under different types of clothing (loose, tight, etc.).
• Ad or remove rice and adjust the shape, until you get the size you like.
• Once you have the general size you like, remove the rice separately from each stocking and measure how much rice you thought was ideal for each breast.

A basic guideline for how much rice equals a breast implant is as follows:

• 60 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant = ¼ cup;
• 120 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant= ½ cup;
• 175 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant= ¾ cup;
• 225 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant = 1 cup;
• 345 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant = 1.5 cup;
• 450 cubic centimeters (cc) breast implant = 2 cups;

Breast implants typically increase in increments of 10cc or more commonly by 25 cc. When you visit top Detroit area implant surgeon Dr. Ali, he will typically start by placing a 100 cc breast implant in your bra, then move to 125 cc, and possibly 150 cc, etc. to help you decide which implant size will achieve the exact look that you desire. Then he can also move on the Vectra 3d imaging to refine the size, shape, location and profile (projection) of the breast implants that will look best on you.

Consider These Breast Implant Factors

Keep in mind that your own unique body should determine what size implants you get. Some factors to take into consideration when choosing breast implant size are:

• Existing breast tissue: Have you always naturally had small breasts due to heredity or exercise? If so, you’ll want a different size implant than a mother whose breasts have lost volume after pregnancy, leaving her with excess sagging skin or breast tissue.

• Skin elasticity or tightness: Are you prone to stretch marks? Is your skin naturally resilient? The type of skin you have should also be part of your decision-making process, as breast augmentation will cause skin to stretch. Going “too big” for the amount and elasticity of the skin you have can cause issues down the road.

• Weight: Have you had significant changes in your weight? Whether due to lifestyle, genetics, disease, pregnancy, or any other cause, weight fluctuations can affect how your body will look with the new implants.

• Height and Frame: Keep in mind that the same size of implant will look completely different on women with different “frames” – including height, chest width and bone structure. 100cc breast implants may look large on a very petite women, but bee too small for a larger patient. Remember, it’s more about “proportion” than size when selecting the most attractive breast implants. If you stray too much from your body frame, you may end up with an unnatural look or one that causes back strain down the line.

• Desired outcome: Do you want larger breasts, or are you simply looking to balance out an issue with asymmetry? Do you want or need more lift and volume? These are items to discuss with your breast implant surgeon, as well.

• Lifestyle: Are you an avid runner, weight lifter, cycler or dancer? Very large breasts can be uncomfortable for certain active lifestyles.

• Your Natural Anatomy: Each woman has her own natural anatomy and contours, developed over time. And her own unique appearance preferences. Therefore, it is up to YOU to decide what overall implant size and shape is ideal for you. A partner, family members, or a friend who is curvier or thinner than you, may all have different ideas. But remember you are doing this for YOU, and nor someone else, so that you love your new body!

Top Detroit Area Breast Implant Surgeon

At your consultation, Dr. Ali will take careful measurements to determine your exact chest wall size, as well as examine your breast tissue, skin condition and muscle tone. Since virtually all women have some degree of asymmetry with their breasts, each breast will be evaluated individually to achieve a symmetrical and beautiful outcome.

If you have sagging skin, drooping breast tissue,  or lax chest muscles or Dr. Ali may also recommend an additional procedure, such as a breast lift, to get the most beautiful results.

As you can see there are many decisions to be made when selecting the best breast implant that is right for you. The only way to truly understand your options is to schedule a consultation with a top Detroit area breast surgeon like Doctor Ali – who has helped thousands of women get the body they love with breast implant surgery. If you are considering breast implant surgery, he will be happy to offer you a consultation including Vectra 3D imaging – to help you decide the right size, shape, and placement of breast implant for you.

Feel beautiful inside and out, with breast implant surgery. And remember, financing options are also available.

Detroit Area Breast Implant Consultation: 248-335-7200