Even before you visit your surgeon and discuss sizing options, it is a good idea to experiment on your own so you have an idea about what feels comfortable.
A good starting point is an honest assessment of your body's overall stature. If you have a petite build with small shoulders and a narrow ribcage, a more modest one will have a more dramatic effect and look more natural.
Going too large might look abnormal or even feel uncomfortable, whereas if you're taller with a wider frame, larger may compliment your shape better.
You can get a visual by making your own trial bra inserts at home by densely stuffing a soft bag with rice or another similar material and placing them inside a snug fitting sports bra. Even better is to buy professionally designed bra inserts that are sold usually in sizing kits online.
After you've decided on a general size and look on your own, consult with your surgeon about the possibilities and what he or she thinks would provide the best results. Bringing pictures of what you like and dislike will also give the surgeon a better idea about what you're looking for. Often times a surgeon will let you try on the actual implants inside of a sports bra.
The other factors that will also affect implant sizing are placement, preexisting tissue, and shape of the chest.
An implant placed underneath the muscle will appear smaller than the same size placed above. How large you are to begin with will also influence the size choice. If you have little breast tissue and a small cup size initially, a very large breast size might be impossible to achieve.
The same is true concerning the anatomy of your chest wall. The way the ribs curve can change the symmetry and look of implants. All of these issues should be considered before undergoing breast enhancement.
Beyond size, to some degree you can also choose the shape of the implant. There are two main shapes used in breast augmentation today: teardrop and round.
Teardrop shaped make the breast look fuller towards the bottom and have a more sloped appearance. Some people find that this is a more natural look, but it is normally pricier and most patients choose the popular round shape.
Round implants increase the fullness of the breast overall and give the most amount of cleavage. Although you can choose the shape of the implant, the general look of your breasts will more than likely not drastically change beyond size.
By preparing beforehand, you'll feel more confident when you discuss your options with your surgeon. It is important to be realistic about your expectations, but make sure your surgeon listens to your needs and desires. Making a wise, thoughtful decision now will save you from difficulties later.
Breast implants come in various sizes defined by the amount of saline or silicone volume within the implant. For example, smaller breast implants come in sizes such as 200cc, 250cc and so on. The largest implants come in sizes like 1200cc, 1600cc, and 2000cc. The most common breast implant size is around 350cc.
Each plastic surgeon is different and will discuss the breast size topic with you differently. In short, doctors will talk about it this way:
1) Some will talk about bra cup size with you, but they will be sure to talk about it in general ways.
2) Other doctors will only talk about breast implant sizes.
3) Still others will keep the topic so general that they will prefer to use terms like ?Big, Bigger, or Biggest?.
Why are there so many ways to approach the subject of cup size? The first issue has to do with the variety of ways in which bra manufacturers define cup size in their bras. Unfortunately there is no strict standard in the industry. You have probably already noticed that a bra from one manufacturer fits you as a B cup, while a bra from another company may fit you as an A cup. Savvy to this problem, doctors recognize they cannot possibly fit you to each of these manufacturers.
Another issue has to do with communication between the patient and the doctor. One patient's mental vision of a C cup may be very different from that of another. Using before and after photos of other women is a bit helpful but fraught with problems as well. These pictures are not only two-dimensional, they are of breast implants placed on another woman's body. Since each woman's body is unique, how can a doctor make a determination of breast size from a two-dimensional photo?
Many doctor's understand, however, that cup size is the only real language we have for breast sizes. To discuss the matter at all, it is very difficult not to use terms like C cup and D cup in a discussion.
The best way today to talk about breast size is with the use of breast implant sizers. Today's sizing systems are designed so that you can try on various breast implant sizes to get an idea of how large your breasts will be given different sizes. By wearing various breast implant sizes over a period of a few days or weeks, you can begin to feel the difference as to what breast size is right for you.
Breast implant sizing systems usually come with sports bras that have no cup size. The reasons for this are all the same as noted above. The essential value to these systems, however, is that you can wear your favorite breast size to your consultation and show the doctor what kind of breast size you want. The clear advantage to this method is that you can show the surgeon what you want in three-dimensions and on your own body. That is a far cry better than talking in general terms or using pictures of other women.
You will have to understand that getting to a certain cup size requires a very thorough discussion with your doctor. After the augmentation you might find you are a D cup with one manufacturer, and a DD cup with another. Show your doctor what breast size you want with breast implant sizers on your own body, so that you will be happy with whatever cup size you need to buy after your augmentation.
Both Abigail Aaronson & Ned T James are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.