Which Breast Implant Size Is Right For You?

Posted on by Dr Mark Gittos - FRACS(Plas)

Which Breast Implant Size is Right for you? – Choosing the right implant

Are you planning to undergo breast augmentation surgery with breast implants? Are you concerned about choosing the right sized implant? How big should you go?

If you want fuller and more defined breasts, an important factor to keep in mind is choosing the breast implant. While this may add to your worries, Dr Gittos will help you decide on the best breast implant volume and profile that will suit your body type and cosmetic preferences during your consultation.

Dr Mark Gittos is a breast surgery expert and Plastic Surgeon in New Zealand who has helped hundreds of patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

Download Dr Mark Gittos’ Guide to Cosmetic Breast Surgery

Guide Ultimate Breast Surgery
Guide Ultimate Breast Surgery

Aspects to Consider When Choosing Breast Implant Size

In order to prevent complications, a breast revision procedure and poor cosmetic results, Dr Gittos considers the following factors when recommending the size of your breast implant:

Your Body Anatomy

Your body anatomy has something to do with the size of your breast implants. For instance, you might prefer higher projection breast implants if you are petite or short-waisted to make your breasts look fuller and better defined even on a narrower chest. On the other hand, Dr Gittos might recommend wider breast implants if you are tall or long-waisted. Read How to Choose the Best Breast Implant Profile and Projection.

Your Age

In general, the younger you are, the more elastic your skin is which makes it easier to decide on the size of your breast implant. Younger skin tends to adjust to your new breast profile, which prevents the incidence of chest tightness and other discomforts. On the other hand, if your skin is sagging due to old age, you may require a breast lift in addition to breast implant surgery to achieve optimal results.

Your Lifestyle

If you are physically active, Dr Gittos might recommend a slight increase in your breast size because bigger breast implants can interfere with your daily activities.

Your Cosmetic Goals

You might want to go for bigger breast implants. Dr Gittos will need to consider a few factors such as your body anatomy, age, and lifestyle. In general, unrealistic expectations would be a contraindication to the procedure.

Your Overall Health Condition

You cannot undergo breast implant surgery if you have an active infection of the breast, silicone sensitivity, autoimmune disease, psychological instability, or an unstable medical condition.

How to Choose the Breast Implant Size

It is important to keep in mind that every patient is unique; therefore, breast implants are not one-size-fits-all. In order to get the ideal breast implant, different strategies can be used:

  1. Wearing different breast implant sizers: this is basically like dress-ups for adults. It requires you to wear different breast sizers for several days in a row while you wear a different outfit and engage in your usual activities. This allows you to feel which breast implant size best suits your preferences and lifestyle.
  2. Use of 3D technology may help: 3D imaging allows you to get a glimpse of the expected results of your surgery by providing a simulation of an outcome based on the real image of your body. This device reproduces an image of what your breasts will look like with your desired breast implant size.   

Aiming for a Specific Bra Cup Size

Trying to estimate your desired cup size is not a realistic cosmetic objective because of the following reasons:

  • Bra cup sizes are widely inconsistent
  • Using cup size to determine your breast implant size is not the most reliable measurement
  • Bra cup sizes vary between brands (e.g. A C cup size in one bra brand could be a B or D cup size in another brand)
  • Someone who is 6 foot tall and a DD cup will look different to someone who is 5 foot tall with DD breasts. We look at your whole body not just the torso area

Most silicone implants are available in sizes from 100ml to 800ml. Saline implants can be overinflated to 1000ml or more. In order to avoid complications, it is important NOT to have an implant with a base width diameter that is wider than your breast. The most popular implant size range is 300 to 400 ml.  Watch for Boob Greed and Boob Envy – 80% of Breast Implant Patients wish they had have gone a bit bigger. Recent Patient Survey data suggest that when replacing their implants, many patients choose to replace their original implant with one that is 30-50ml larger. Silicone implants above 450ml are considered large and caution should be taken when considering very large implants.

Disadvantages of LARGE Breast Implants

A breast implant that is too large for your body anatomy can lead to the following drawbacks:

  • It can lead to unnatural and disproportionate breast size and shape
  • It can affect your activities of daily living such as running, stretching, or cycling
  • You will need to wear a firmer support bra
  • Heavy prosthetics can lead to breast tissue damage over time
  • Heavier breast implants can speed up the development of sagging breasts
  • You’ll need a breast lift if you decide to replace or remove your implants because the skin is stretched to some degree
  • You can develop pain and discomfort

The decision to undergo breast implant surgery is very personal and you should take your time to assess several factors such as your desired breast implant size to achieve a positive clinical outcome. If you’re considering a breast implant surgery to improve your breast profile as well as your self-esteem, schedule a consultation with Dr Mark Gittos.

Download the Motiva Sizing information PDF.

Further Reading about Breast Augmentation

Medical References

Finding a Breast Augmentation Surgeon in New Zealand

For many women in New Zealand, having breast augmentation is a life-changing experience. There are many qualified plastic surgeons, but it is always best to find one who is experienced in breast augmentation procedures. Breast implants come in many different shapes and sizes, and there are various insertion techniques, so find a reputable practitioner who can give good advice on the right implants for you. Before considering breast implants, it is wise to find a surgeon who is also up to speed with new non-invasive techniques for boosting the breasts, so you can investigate all the options before deciding on permanent surgical implants. Always Look for an experienced surgeon that you feel comfortable with and get a second opinion.

About Dr Mark Gittos FRACS (Plast) – New Zealand Plastic Surgeon 

Practice locations in Herne Bay Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty – Kerikeri, Whangarei, New Plymouth & Tauranga

Dr Mark Gittos is a leading Specialist Plastic Surgeon and operates a practice in Herne Bay, Auckland and in the UK. The practice focuses on both surgical and non-surgical procedures, each designed to help restore, improve or change a physical characteristic or problem. The first step in every case is to talk through your personal requirements and explore all the options, before deciding on the most effective solution.

Dr Mark Gittos offers high quality, natural-looking cosmetic surgery results and is highly experienced in Breast, Body and Face Surgery having performed over 4000 Surgeries in the last 26 years.  With worldwide expertise Dr Gittos is an expert in breast, face and body surgery for men & women. 

Naturally, before any treatment is begun, we will explain clearly the advantages and risk factors; so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision that is best for you. Visit the practice to find out more.

NEXT STEPS

Please NOTE: Dr Gittos only performs surgery on non-smoker patients with a BMI less than 30. To check your BMI please visit the NZ Heart Foundation website. For help giving up smoking before surgery visit the Smoke Free website

Do your Research

What to Bring to your Plastic Surgeon Consultation

  • Bring a friend or relative to help discuss the information and your choices
  • Take lots of notes and read the documents provided thoroughly
  • Dress in simple clothes as you may need to undress for examination
  • Bring your medical referral and any relevant medical documents or test results

Book your Initial Surgery Consultation

  • A Referral from your GP or specialist is helpful but NOT essential – you can have a consultation without a GP Referral
  • Email us or Call on 09 529 5352 to arrange your surgeon consultation appointment.
  • Book a consultation with Dr Gittos by paying the Consultation Fee – $350 incl GST

Traveling for Surgery? – Consider post-surgery luxury recovery in a Hotel with LuxeCare

Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.

Send an enquiry form today or phone  09 529 5352  during Clinic Hours