Choosing the proper breast implant size is far from a random process. Rather, it must be considered based on several factors, including your desired look and overall body shape and size.
Also notable is that published rates for implant size change between 12 and 15% within the first year. That means it is critical to discuss your short-term and long-term objectives with a plastic surgeon you know you can trust before going into breast augmentation surgery. How do we choose the implants of the right size? Consider the following.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Implant Size
The following are some of the most important factors to consider when it comes to breast size and implant size. Remember that just as every person’s body is different, you need implants sized to fit your body. Some of the factors that play a role in this decision include the following:
Body Frame and Proportions
Your body’s shape, your height, and your natural breast tissue all impact implant size and profile recommendations. Before breast implant surgery, you’ll have a conversation with your surgeon about your expectations and desired look, but also what your limitations may be. Your doctor will then offer suggestions based on these goals.
With factors such as:
- Chest wall size
- The amount of existing breast tissue
- Overall breast width and implant diameter
- Patient needs for saline implants or other types
There are thousands of implants and many options to select from, but with the methods our plastic surgeons use, we can narrow the field down to about 30 based on medical factors such as your body size and your existing breast tissue. From our experience, we know exactly what will fit within your body and meet any necessary health objectives.
But now, how do we select the perfect implant set for you?
Considerations
Lifestyle breast implants? How does your lifestyle play a role in the breast implant sizes selected for you? Factors such as your activity level, the profession you work in, and the personal lifestyle you enjoy and want to continue to play a role in breast enlargement. Too large or the wrong size could make it hard for you to participate comfortably in the activities you desire.
Aesthetic Goals
Your plastic surgeon will always discuss your aesthetic goals with you, and there is no one method that is “right” for everyone. Breast implant sizing does have to do with aesthetics. We do not promote a one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead, our goal is to create the right balance between a natural look and a more enhanced appearance based on your objectives and desires. Your body shape and size matter, of course, and we consider your overall expectations. To help you choose, we use visual examples with you, giving you more of an authentic realization of what you can expect based on the implant size you select.
Choose the Implant Size: A Guided Approach
ICLS takes a patient-centered approach to everything we do, including choosing breast implant sizes that fit your specific needs. In this guide, we will provide answers to common questions about breast enlargement and the overall expectations you can have.
It’s critical that you feel informed and supported. At ICLS, our objective is to always provide you with safe breast implant surgery that also contributes to your aesthetic goals. Consider the following.
ICLS’s Approach
During ICLS’s consultation for breast augmentation surgery, our team will work with you through a comprehensive but transparent process to give you insight into each of the options that fit your body shape and size. We focus on giving you the time to consider a variety of options, and we offer the research you need to make a decision that truly fits your needs. We also always offer customized support, which means you can expect our team to listen to you and offer solutions and insights that may be available to you.
ICLS prioritizes finding the right match for each person’s unique anatomy and aesthetic desires. That means we do not focus on a specific size for your breast implant; we’re after the look.
So, let’s consider how we do that a bit more thoroughly. Since you are not considering a specific size breast implant but rather your unique look, we work through a five-step process outlined here that allows us to match each patient’s unique anatomy with personal goals.
Step 1: VECTRA® 3D Imaging
We do not just guess what type of breast implant size will work best to create your desired result. Instead, we use technology to get the right breast implant size. The Vectra 3D imaging process assesses your anatomy and breast shape. It’s a first consultation, a first step in the process.
Our clients often find that this 3D image allows them to see their breast enlargement options in a more realistic manner. It clarifies what a specific size or shape of breast implant will look like for you.
With this step, we can start the conversation about your aesthetic goals, whether you want a more natural look or are after moderate enhancement. For those that want a larger size, we can talk about the benefits of larger breast implants specific to your body’s structure and anatomy, giving you options but also informing you of what those options look like, not just a “small, medium, or large” selection.
Step 2: Measurement and Body Structure Analysis
With those images, we can begin to gather more information and details to create a more defined level of expectation. Detailed measurements are critical. Every person’s body structure is different. Your shoulders, hips, and chest posture all contribute to the way your breast implants will look and function for you. This influences implant fit and how they will look once in place.
Our team respects your anatomy. By taking this approach, we prevent an unnatural look from occurring. That includes not encouraging smaller breast implants when your desired look is enhancement. The right-sized breast implants blend both aesthetics and the body’s natural shape.
All of this work reduces our thousands of options to around 30 suitable choices for you. There’s still a lot of opportunity to customize solutions to fit your specific needs here.
Step 3: Homework
Improperly fitted breast implants are one of the most common problems associated with client satisfaction. It’s essential to find a way to blend your body’s shape and structure with what you desire your outcome to be. In this step, we do that.
We encourage you to do some research yourself. Bring in photos that communicate your goals and show more of what you want—or do not want—in breast size changes. The goal of this step is to ensure your plastic surgeon has a clear understanding of your vision and goals. That way, we can take that information and create the ideal blend of anatomy and aesthetics.
Step 4: Homemade Implant Exercise
How can we get a good visual of what you specifically want? One way is to make you create a homemade implant. This exercise may sound silly, but it is one of the best ways for you to get a clear idea of what to expect.
Curious about how a specific implant size might look on you? You can create a DIY “mock implant” at home to visualize the result. Here’s how:
Materials Needed:
- Grab the toe end of a pair of pantyhose (they’re soft and flexible), and fill it with dry rice or quinoa.
Shape It:
- Tie the open end of the pantyhose securely, and shape the filling into a flat “hamburger patty.” This replicates the general shape of a breast implant when viewed on the hand.
Adjust Size:
- Add or remove rice/quinoa to achieve the volume you’re considering. Place the filled pantyhose on your chest to get a feel for the size and proportion relative to your body.
This exercise gauges a comfortable volume for you without the push-up effect of a bra, giving you a more realistic experience of what to expect.
Keep in mind that part of this process involves trying it out. Once you make a size that you believe is right for you, try it out. Don’t use a push-up bra, but wear it with a tank top. That gives you a more realistic view. You can adjust it as many times as you like. This helps you to have a more concrete understanding of what one size may look like or the other.
Once you find what you like, bring that with you to your appointment. That gives you the hands-on information we need to fully understand what you want in your breasts.
Step 5: Pre-operative Appointment
The final step before your breast augmentation is your pre-operative appointment, which is held about six weeks before your surgery. You’ll come into ICLS for this one-on-one appointment, where you can get essential information and guidance. We can also discuss your ideal breast implant size.
When you come in for this breast augmentation pre-operative visit, our goal is to ensure you are fully aware and understanding of what your options are. More so, you should feel empowered, informed, and confident not just about implant volume or whether you are getting round implants but also that you are in good hands. Ask every question you have.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, we want you to be fully confident in our team and in the breast implant size and shape you select.
How Does Implant Size Affect Cup Size?
It is very common for women who are seeking out a breast implant to ask this question or to say they want a bra cup size of a specific number. Your breast implant profile will be different based on a variety of factors.
Implant size is measured in cubic centimetres (CC). It is common for people to confuse this for bra cup size. However, as we have mentioned, your cup size is dependent on other factors, including your body shape, natural breast size, chest wall, the amount of breast tissue present, and your chest width.
All of these factors affect how the breast implant volume interacts with the cup size you have. That doesn’t mean our team can’t help you choose the right size, though. Instead, we are looking for more information about what you desire the final look to be when considering your breast augmentation.
Keep the Following in Mind About Breast Cup Size and Bra Cup Size in Relation to Breast Implants
- The implant volume and cup size don’t have a precise conversion due to brand and style variability.
- A small increase in volume can be more noticeable in someone with a petite frame.
- A person with a broader frame will need to increase the volume to get the same effect.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. Instead, we look at your desired breast implant profile, factors about the breast shape, and even the bra cup you desire and create a cohesive plan for moving forward. ICLS offers a very personalized approach through this process, ensuring implants always suit your unique anatomy.
When considering breast augmentation procedures and cup size, consider the following implant size and cup size chart as a rough guideline.
Breast Implant Volume to Cup Size Chart
| Breast Implant Volume (cc) | Estimated Cup Size Increase |
|---|---|
| 100-150 cc | ~ 1/2 cup size |
| 150-200 cc | ~ 1 cup size |
| 200-300 cc | ~ 1 to 1.5 cup sizes |
| 300-400 cc | ~ 1.5 to 2 cup sizes |
| 400-500 cc | ~ 2 to 2.5 cup sizes |
| 500 cc and above | ~ 2.5+ cup sizes |
Let the Team at ICLS Offer You a Breast Augmentation Consultation That Answers Your Questions
Choosing the right breast implant size is a personal decision best made with professional guidance. To help you get the right breast implant for your specific needs, work closely with our team to understand your options and achieve the best look for you.
Schedule a consultation with us to explore breast implant size options in more depth. Your surgeon can help you make better decisions about what will work for your body and needs.
FAQs
What if I want to change my implant size in the future?
While it is always a good idea to get the right breast implant size from the start, it is not uncommon for women to want and need to make changes over time. If you have saline or silicone implants, it is possible to change the volume over time as you need and want to. Most women can make changes.
Can I achieve a natural look with larger implants?
Your breast implant’s profile is your own. The same implant put into someone else will have a different result. If you want a natural look, not necessarily an enhanced look, your plastic surgeon will help you choose the right size and implant shape to meet this goal. Depending on your body’s shape, you can certainly have very natural-looking breasts with larger implants.
Does implant size impact recovery time?
A variety of factors impact breast augmentation recovery time. The size of the implant can make a difference if it is significantly larger than what you have now. Other factors, such as the doctor’s skill and the placement of the breast implant, can also play a role.
Does the profile of an implant affect its size?
Breast implant profile can have a significant difference. In some situations, women are able to achieve their ideal results in breast augmentation surgery through a higher profile implant rather than just going for a larger implant. Choosing a low-profile breast implant or a high-profile breast implant can create a more enhanced look for you.