Breast Implant Sizes-Why So Confusing?
When you first get started learning about breast implants, the choices ahead of you may seem daunting. Should you go with saline or silicone breast implants? Is the best placement under or over the chest muscle?
No aspect of breast implants concerns our New York breast augmentation patients more than size. And since there are at least three breast implant characteristics that play a critical role in how big—and how natural—breasts will look after plastic surgery, it’s no wonder many women are puzzled.
Here are some important dimensions of breast implant size and how to think about the part each one plays in your ultimate results.
Base width is one breast implant measurement that’s often overlooked in a discussion of breast implant size, but it’s critical. Simply put, the base width of an implant needs to match your overall frame. The implant needs to be wide enough to create some cleavage, but not so wide that it spills over the side of the chest. That isn’t the look most women want!
Projection, or as breast implant manufacturers term it, “profile,” is the measure of how far an implant sticks out from the chest wall. Most manufacturers offer several profiles, using terms like “moderate” and “high.” The higher the profile, the more prominent your curves will look.
Volume is the measurement most people familiar with breast implants mean when they say “size.” The volume of silicone gel or saline solution filling an implant is measured in cubic centimeters, or cc’s. The higher the volume (the more cc’s), the larger the implant.
Of course you can see that all three of these dimensions work together. For example, a high profile breast implant filled with 350 cc’s (a fairly typical size) will have a smaller base width than a moderate profile implant with the same volume.
Sometimes women express frustration with these concepts when they consult us about breast augmentation in New York. It’s understandable, since most people think about breasts in terms of cup size. But rest assured, these measures aren’t designed to confuse you! All these breast implant characteristics are key to achieving the appearance you’re looking for.
You can also take comfort in the fact that no breast enlargement patient is expected to choose implants by herself. In fact, your most important choice is a board certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience with breast augmentation. New York and New Jersey residents—and indeed, patients from across the country—often decide to work with us. We can help you understand all the ins and outs related to size, and you can actually experience the effect of different sizes when you try on our special bras and sizers.
If you’re researching the right cosmetic surgeon for your needs, we would be very happy to hear from you. Just give our Park Avenue office a call at 212-570-6080.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
