Choosing Breast Implant Size
June 3rd, 2010
Breast enlargement or augmentation mammaplasty allows women to surgically increase their breast size.
“What implant size will be used?” This is a very personal choice, within the physical limitations of the patient’s own figure and stature. Some patients only want a modest increase in size. Many women choose breast restoration following a change in fullness that has diminished after nursing.
A wide range of implant “sizers” are provided during an office consultation. The sizers are used to approximate the patient’s range of choice for their new breast size. Breast implants are measured in milliliters or cubic centimeters and range from 100 ml to over 900ml (one measuring cup equals 238ml or one tablespoon equals 15ml) in approximately 25ml increments. The visual experience of seeing themselves in a mirror with the sizing implants positioned beneath their bra and/or clothing helps a patient to choose the appropriate implant. Patients often bring a spouse of friend to help them decide. Many return several times before finally deciding on size. Readers might remember that Melissa blogged that she wore her sizers for a few days before deciding. That being said, some patients express slight regret about not choosing a larger size implant following recovery. Several patients have decided later to increase their implant size and opt for a second surgery. In my experience, only a few patients choose to decrease the size of implants. At any rate, it is a matter of personal choice.
Not surprisingly, many women report that they experience an increase in their self-esteem and satisfaction of body image following breast augmentation surgery.
Reader Question~ Breast Implants
June 1st, 2010
From Rebecca:
Dr. Bashioum,
I have been to other plastic surgery offices for breast augmentation consultations. They have all told me that silicone was the only choice for me. Do you have any insight on why these other physicians are only pointing me to silicone?
There is a strong belief among many plastic surgeons that silicone gel filled breast implants are the best choice for their patients, because they believe that silicone gel breast implants both look and feel better. I cannot agree with these statements. The visual appearance of a patient’s breast is independent of what implant is filled with. Our Before/After photographs have shown the results of saline (salt water) filled implants. It is a choice that I leave up to my patients. In fact, Melissa discusses this topic in her patient blog. Click here to read about her decision.
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