The most exciting – and maybe most intimidating – decision leading up to a breast augmentation surgery is which implant size is best for you. Perhaps you have in mind a particular breast size that you like from a friend or a photo online, and you decide to tell your surgeon the volume of implant you would like. However, there is a lot more to a breast implant sizing decision than that!
First, when it comes to choosing the right size, many aspects of breast implant measurements are important to know. Your surgeon should teach you about all of these at your consultation. The most commonly talked about implant measurement is volume, measured in the number of cubic centimeters, or CCs. This measurement does not give us much information about how the implant will look in your body, though. Aside from volume, your plastic surgeon will consider two other measurements: base diameter (the width of the implant) and projection (how far the implant will stick out from your chest wall). All of these factors together create the implant size.
However, the way the implant will look depends on a lot more than just the implant size. The final appearance of augmented breasts depends on the amount of breast tissue you already have, the position of that breast tissue, where the implant is placed, and the shape of your chest wall where the implant is resting. Your surgeon will help you understand how all of these variables will impact your breast augmentation.
Altogether, choosing an implant size is a cooperative decision between you and your surgeon. When I am helping my patients with the sizing process, I begin by measuring chest width. I use this information to start the sizing process by selecting implant sizes with a base diameter corresponding to that chest width. Generally speaking, each base diameter has a range of possible sizes, from a more modest to a more significant augmentation. We use these to choose special sizers to insert in your bra and get a good idea of how that implant size will look. I recommend that my patients bring a few different fitted outfits to try on with the implants to ensure they are happy with how a particular size looks. In my opinion, using your chest width to choose an implant size guarantees a proportionate result. Most women want this type of look!
It is crucial to me as a surgeon that my patients feel relaxed and comfortable on the morning of surgery and are not second-guessing their size choices. For that reason, I am happy to talk about implant sizing and try on different sizes with different outfits as often as my patients would like to guarantee that they will achieve their size goals. However, you should make sure that you feel absolutely confident with your implant size selection before proceeding with surgery.
At Astra Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, we believe plastic surgery can achieve beautiful yet subtle results that accentuate your natural contours. Whether you opt for surgical treatments or non-invasive procedures, your cosmetic surgeon should possess a thorough understanding of the body's symmetry and proportions to ensure the best possible outcomes.*
Schedule a consultation today to learn how Astra Plastic Surgery can empower you to take control of your look.
