Breast Implant Size and Things to Consider Before hand

The size of breast implants is measured via cubic centimeter or cc instead of “cup” since every bra manufacturer follows its own standard.  Meanwhile, it is important to note that the volume is not the only thing that affects the final results as there are other contributing factors such as implant profile, shape, and placement.

During the previous years, a significant number of women who asked for breast augmentation wanted larger implants even if it meant having a “heavy” top look.  However, plastic surgeons today see a shifting trend toward smaller sizes to achieve the natural look.

The growing trend can be seen on some Hollywood celebrities who replaced their breast implants with smaller ones.  For instance, Denise Richards and Pamela Anderson have been reported to have undergone revision plastic surgery to downsize their implants.

Another good example is Kate Hudson who has been reported to receive small breast implants in 2010.  And because of the subtle changes in her bust size, no one would even know that she had the procedure if not only for her previous photos and videos showing how flat-chested she was back then.

As a general rule, very large implants will obviously look “fake” in addition to higher risk of complications as the body, especially the back and upper torso, has to carry more extra weight.  For this reason, a good plastic surgeon will make every effort to convince his patient that inappropriate implant sizes can lead to many problems.

The problem with inordinately large implants is that they may lead to premature sagging and tissue thinning as the breasts are forced to carry more weight.  To correct such complications, a revision plastic surgery—which may involve implant replacement or permanent removal of the device—is the only effective solution.

For thin patients, particularly those with limited amounts of glandular fats and tissue, very large implants can significantly predispose them to visible and palpable rippling, or sometimes even traction wrinkling especially if they will receive the textured implants with large size “graininess.”

Another consideration to make is that large breast implants can upset the center of gravity of women, which can affect the way they move.  With this consideration, athletes and patients who live an active lifestyle are generally advised to choose smaller implants to maintain their performance and good posture.

Because of the risk of excessively large bust size, implant manufacturers in the US do not sell silicone breast implants that are over 800cc.

Teardrop-Shaped or Anatomical Breast Implants

Anatomical breastimplants—also referred to as dimensional, teardrop, and contoured implants—were first used to reconstruct the breasts of post-cancer patients.  But in later years, some plastic surgeons have started using these devices in cosmetic breastaugmentation surgery.

Unlike round implants in which all the sides are symmetrical, anatomicalimplants have more volume at the bottom than on top, leading to a teardrop appearance.  But because of their shape, there is a risk of flipping over, which in turn leads to visible distortion of the breast contour.

To prevent the anatomical implants from flipping over, they always come in textured shell, which can prevent them from rotating.

The anatomical implants are available in different sizes and profiles (outward projection off the chest wall).  However, patients should bear in mind that these implants are only filled with saline or saltwater solution.

Anatomical implants filled with silicone gel are not available in the US because the “gooey” material cannot be molded into a teardrop shape.

However, there is a new type of breast implant called gummy bear implant (available in some European countries and Canada) which uses a gel more cohesive than the currently available silicone implant’s.  And with its form-stable characteristic, anatomical implants can now be filled with silicone.

It is important to know that gummy bear implants are not yet available in the US market, although some patients may have these new devices if their breast augmentation surgery is conducted by a surgeon involved in a nationwide, FDA-approved study.

While anatomical implants are used in cosmetic breastaugmentation, they are not as popular as the round implants because they are more expensive and can expose patients to higher risk of visible and palpable rippling (because they are always available in textured shell), particularly those with a limited amount of fats and tissue in their breasts.

Another consideration is that the anatomical implants can rotate inside the breast pocket, which in turn can disfigure the shape of the bust.  On the other hand, round implants can be subjected to gross movement and they will still not result to distorted appearance because all their sides are symmetrical.

Contrary to popular belief, there is really no significant difference between anatomical and round implants when it comes to the breast contour after surgery.  In fact, round implants will form a teardrop shape if these are held against the chest wall as the gravity works its wonder.