One of the pressing questions for women who visit a plastic surgeon for a consultation regarding breast augmentation is what size implants will be used. Many patients believe that this measurement is the most crucial factor, as it determines the future appearance and volume of their breasts. We discussed all the details of the breast augmentation procedure with Nikita Molotkov, a plastic surgeon at the "Family" clinic network.
Many individuals come for a consultation and even mention the desired implant size after reading information on various forums online or asking a friend who has undergone the procedure.
Nikita Molotkov Plastic surgeon at the "Family" clinic network In reality, the size of the implant is not the only critical factor in its selection; the shape of the implant (anatomical, also referred to as teardrop, or round) and its projection are also important. It’s essential to understand that the implant is selected by the plastic surgeon based on the anatomical characteristics of the breasts (their volume, shape, existing asymmetries), the shape of the chest, body type, and the preferences of the woman herself.
What size implant is considered large in plastic surgery? There is no strict classification. In my practice, implants over 400 ml are considered large. However, it's important to note that 400 ml can appear different on various patients. For one woman, it may result in a breast size increase of 3 cup sizes, while for another, it may only be 1.5, depending on their individual anatomical features. Therefore, one should not rely too heavily on the implant sizes of friends or “before/after” images found online.
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Now, let’s discuss a scenario where a woman comes to me for a consultation requesting the largest possible breasts. In this case, I have a specific range of implant sizes to choose from, from small to the maximum volume I can offer the patient, depending on her individual anatomical parameters. This choice is determined by the goal of achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the breasts both in and out of a bra, as well as ensuring safety and minimizing the risks of potential complications after the surgery.
Using implants larger than what the anatomy allows poses a risk of creating an unattractive aesthetic appearance of the breasts, as well as increasing the risk of postoperative complications.
We cannot go from a size 0 breast to a size 5 immediately; this would either be impossible or result in an unattractive outcome. Such procedures are performed only in two stages.
In the first surgery, we place the maximum safe volume of implants. After that, the woman undergoes rehabilitation, allowing her breasts to adjust to the implants, and her skin and soft tissues to stretch. After 8-12 months, we can then place larger implants in a second operation to achieve the desired result. We resort to this two-stage approach only when a single-step procedure is not feasible.
When aiming for the largest possible breasts, women should understand that beyond just size, the breasts must also be aesthetically pleasing, and the plastic surgery should not leave a “mark” on the patient’s health. A plastic surgeon could theoretically place a huge, unsuitable implant that the patient desires, but what’s the benefit if the breasts look unattractive and may need to be redone?