Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right implant size is a deeply personal decision that depends on the patient's specific goals, body type, lifestyle, and the look she wants to achieve.
- Not every implant size is appropriate for every patient, as factors like chest width, natural breast tissue, and skin condition all affect which sizes are viable options.
- Your board-certified plastic surgeon will guide you through the selection process step by step, considering your anatomy alongside your aesthetic preferences.
- NOVA uses the Crisalix 3D simulator to help patients visualize how different implant sizes will look on their specific body before making a final decision.
- Bringing reference photos to your consultation can help your surgeon understand your aesthetic vision and recommend the implant profile and size most likely to achieve it.
Your breast augmentation is personal, and the decisions you make throughout the process will depend on the reasons for your decision to undergo surgery. Some women simply want to get back to a former version of themselves—the one they saw before they gained weight, lost weight, became pregnant, or breastfed. Other women want to feel more confident in their skin or better fill their clothes.
If you’ve decided to get breast implants, the next step considering the type, size, and shape of implants that will best achieve the look you desire.
Understanding the Surgeon’s Role in the Selection
Doing your research ahead of time can make it much easier to share your goals and ideas with your care team, but remember that you aren’t alone in this process. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will guide you through the decision step by step. Additionally, know that not every implant size and shape is an option for every patient. Which implants can be used successfully will depend on the height and width of your rib cage and other factors. If you are limited to certain sizes or shapes of implants, your surgeon will explain your options and limitations thoroughly.Choosing Your Implant Size and Shape
Different implant manufacturers use different terms to describe the shape or profile of implants, but you generally have two options: round or more natural teardrop implants. Round implants range from moderate profile (less projection) to ultra high profile (the most projection). When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia, you’ll quickly learn that your size options are actually quite limited depending on the elasticity of your skin and tissue and the diameter of your breast. During your consultation appointment, your surgeon will measure your breast diameter and assess the elasticity of your tissue. Using that information, he or she will share with you the possible options that are most likely to help you achieve the result you want. To help you make an informed decision, know that it is very uncommon for a patient to feel that her implant is too big. Instead, it is much more common for patients to share that they wish they had gone just a little bigger when choosing a breast implant size. For this reason, it is often recommended that once your surgeon narrows down your options—which will generally leave you with just two or three implants to choose from—that you choose the largest of the ones you are considering. Remember that when implants are inserted under the muscle, it takes an implant one size larger than the one you like the most to achieve the same result.Choosing Implant Type
You’ll have the option to choose between saline and silicone implants. You might hear silicone implants called “gel” implants. Silicone implants are more expensive than saline and provide a more natural look and feel; in fact, they feel much like your natural breast tissue, but just a bit firmer. Women with less natural breast tissue are less likely to experience visible rippling, too. There is one primary disadvantage to silicone implants: Because they don’t spill out when ruptured—and because the body doesn’t absorb the silicone gel—it can be difficult to know when your implant has been punctured or damaged. Saline implants, as the name suggests, are filled with sterile fluid. They are less expensive than silicone, and although they don’t provide the same natural look or feel, they do bring a couple of advantages; it is less likely that you’ll experience hardening with saline implants, and ruptures are very obvious, so you know when to seek medical care.Getting Started
If you haven’t already chosen a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can start your journey toward fuller breasts by scheduling a consultation appointment at NOVA Plastic Surgery in Northern Virginia today. During your consultation appointment, you can expect to learn about types, shapes, and sizes of implants, options for incision location, and placement options (over or under the muscle). Our expert team of breast augmentation specialists can be reached at 703-574-2588, or you can request an appointment online for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right breast implant size?
Choosing the right size starts with a clear understanding of your personal goals and an honest conversation with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Your chest width, existing breast tissue, skin condition, and lifestyle all affect which sizes are viable options. Your surgeon will guide you through the decision using measurements, trial sizers, and 3D simulation.
Can I just pick any implant size I want?
Not every implant size works for every patient. Your individual anatomy plays a significant role in determining which sizes can be placed safely and achieve a natural result. Implants that are too large for a patient's frame can look disproportionate and increase the risk of complications such as rippling and implant displacement.
What is the Crisalix 3D simulator and how does it help?
Crisalix is a 3D imaging system that uses a digital camera and your measurements to create a simulation of your body with different implant sizes and types applied. This allows you to visualize your potential post-operative appearance before making any decisions, helping you feel more confident about your implant size choice.
Should I bring photos to my breast augmentation consultation?
Yes. Bringing reference photos of results you admire is a helpful way to communicate your aesthetic vision to your surgeon. They can use these images to understand the look you are after and recommend the implant profile, size, and placement most likely to achieve a similar outcome for your specific anatomy.
What role does lifestyle play in choosing breast implant size?
Your daily activities, athletic pursuits, and clothing preferences all factor into which implant size will serve you best long term. Very active patients may prefer a more modest size for comfort during exercise, while patients whose primary concern is clothing fit or confidence may want a more noticeable change. Your surgeon will help you balance aesthetics with practical lifestyle needs.