Melissa is not alone in being confused about what size implant to choose.  It is amazing to me how often women say that wish they were larger after having breast enlargement surgery.   This happens in spite of the fact that we tell prospective patients that many women express this desire after surgery.  To help eliminate this problem, we have patients try on “sizing” implants prior to their surgery, sometimes they try on the sizers during multiple office visits.  In spite of our best efforts, more than a few women still express regret about the size they picked and wish they were larger.  Some patients choose to act on their desires and have a second surgery to be larger.  This factor accounts for many of the women having a secondary breast enlargement surgery.  My wife attributes this occurrence to the “diamond theory.”  Once you get used to a diamond ring or earrings- it’s most often tempting to want something bigger.  The size of diamonds seem to shrink when you get used to wearing them everyday!

Here are some reasons why I think some patients may experience this size envy.  Immediately following surgery, there is a significant amount of swelling.  This fullness can often be misinterpreted as the final size.  As swelling resolves, patients may now perceive a reduction in size.  This perception can lead to a disappointment in breast size.  During the healing period, the breasts also take on a more natural appearance, which may contribute to a feeling of reduction in overall size.

Finally, women incorporate their new breast size into their body image very, very quickly.  I have many patients tell me they forget to list their surgery when asked by other physicians regarding personal history of past surgeries.  This new body image can occur as soon as six weeks following a breast augmentation procedure.  Because there are only small scars after surgery, there is little or no reminder of the actual procedure and it is often likely to be simply dismissed.

For patients that do decide to increase their implant size, replacing them with larger ones is extremely straight forward, but a waiting period is needed to assure safety of the second procedure.  Most patients have little or no pain after the replacement.  They usually have a quick recovery and are generally pleased with the results.  So, if size really matters- only you are the final judge.

I’m certainly getting excited.  Nervous, not so much, because I know that I am in good hands with Dr. Bashioum.  But I am definitely eager.  I’m eager to see the way clothes will look on me.  I have lots of questions about the final result and I am very interested in seeing whether I made the right decisions.  Was saline the better for me over silicone?  When the enlargement is completed, how does it feel?  Did I choose the right size?  Did I go too big or not big enough?  I just simply cannot wait and wish the day were here already.

One of the toughest things I had to decide was what size I wanted to be.  This may be easy for some people, but this was definitely not easy for me.  I am a slight perfectionist and well, I only want to do this once, so I certainly wanted to be happy with the size I chose.  I want to be able to say, “I didn’t go too big.  I didn’t go too small, but rather like  Golidlocks- just right!  And no one can tell that I’ve had a breast augmentation.”  In order to do that, I need to take a few things into account.  The first this is my body stature.  I’m 5’6″ and weigh 115 pounds.  I want to chose a size that would balance well with my figure.  I started with the largest sizing implants for consideration, which was 400cc.  Boy did that make my husband and I laugh.  In fact, we smiled the entire time I was trying on my “sizers.”  With each sample size I tried on, I wore one of my favorite shirts.  I even grabbed a swimsuit top when I thought we were getting close to deciding and we eventually did.  We came to the conclusion that 275cc would be ideal for me, after taking my body frame into consideration and the fact that I am really active.  I find enjoyment in running, working out and need to remember that my body has been use to these activities with a small chest, an A cup to be exact.  But before I decided to go with 275, I took one last viewpoint into consideration.  Dr. Bashioum tells patients that a significant number of his patients wished they were larger after their augmentation.

With that being said, 300cc… that’s my Final Answer.

Read Dr. Bashioum’s  Fill ‘er Up post tomorrow, all about implant size