Voted At Bruno | Brown Plastic Surgery our doctors are often asked how to choose a breast implant size, and what type of implant should be used to achieve a patient’s ideal look for their breast augmentation procedure.
Breast Augmentation and Implant Sizes:
The first thing that is important to understand is that bra cup sizes vary wildly from retailer to retailer and are not an exact measurement of breast size. Breast implants are measured by exact volume in cubic centimeters (cc’s), so while a cup size might give you a ballpark range of the overall breast size you are trying to achieve, they will not help you choose an exact breast implant size.
Try to put the idea of a specific cup size out of your mind while you consider your options. Also, remember that your natural breast tissues will contribute to the overall size of your breasts after implants have been placed, provided your implants are not part of a breast reconstruction procedure.
In general, breast implant volumes range from about 120cc to 800cc. In choosing a breast implant size, it also helps to remember that your skin must stretch to accommodate the implants you choose. If you have poor skin elasticity or are prone to stretch marks, your cosmetic results may be best if you choose implants that will not put undue stress on your skin.
Choosing the Best Size for Your Breast Implants for your Washington, DC Breast Augmentation Procedure
Visualizing breast implant sizing is helpful to some patients as they begin to imagine how they would look with larger breasts. Our sizing kit allows us to determine the overall desired volume and an approximation of how you will look after surgery. We do our sizing with a personal fitted t-shirt to see a general idea of the effect breast implants would have.
A measuring tape can also help. Having your surgeon take measurements of your chest wall dimensions will help you get a better understanding of your existing body proportions and how they would change with different breast implants.
One of the best resources available to patients choosing a breast implant size is the gallery of breast augmentation before and after photos. Looking at before and after photos of other patients who share a similar build, existing breast size and desired breast size can provide some of the most useful direction to women considering implants.
Don’t forget about breast implant profiles!
In addition to different volumes, breast implants also come in five different profiles: low, low plus, moderate, full and extra full projections.
The implant profile affects the projection of your breast implants, and although they are not directly related to the implant size, they can affect how large or natural your breasts appear.
Breast Implant Types:
Bruno | Brown Plastic Surgery offers four types of breast implants:
- Saline implants: A silicone shell is filled to your preferred volume, increasing the shape and size of your breasts
- Silicone implants: More viscous than saline, a silicone shell is filled to the desired volume and offers a more natural look
- Ideal implants: Uses a series of implant shells nested together and two separate chambers that hold saline, providing a natural feel and youthful look
- Fat grafting: Uses liposuction to transfer fat from other parts of the body to the breasts, giving a fuller look
Input from Top DC Plastic Surgeons
From size to type to your individual lifestyle, if you’re considering getting breast implants there’s a lot to consider.
The doctors at Bruno | Brown Plastic Surgery will help guide you throughout the process of choosing your ideal breast implants.
Be sure to choose a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable asking questions and gathering all of the information you need to make an informed choice. Our physicians are experts at helping patients in Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. choose breast implants and can offer you invaluable input on your breast augmentation procedure.
Are you in the Washington, DC area and interested in discussing your breast augmentation procedure?
