How Should I Choose The Size For My Boob Job?
Ultimately your surgeon should be the one to provide the recommendation but let us start with you and the ground work that can help. There are clearly many things that you can do to get an idea of what size boobs suite your frame, but it is rarely as simple as this. The first thing you can so is to consider exactly what it is that you don’t like about your current appearance. Write this down, and remember to give this to your surgeon. You must also list your expectations from the surgery. This is important as if you have unrealistic expectations, that just can’t be delivered, you need to know this before you have a boob job! It is not possible for example to got from a AA cup size to a D cup if your breast tissue is very flat, very tight and lacks compliance (tissue stretch characteristics). Remember that whatever tissue you have has to conform to the outer shape of the chosen implant and if the tissue is too tight, it won’t simply stretch over something too big. This means there are limitations as to what can be achieved from a boob job based on your unique starting point.
How Should I Help My Surgeon Understand What I Want From A Boob Job?
To manage expectations you must be very honest about the outcome you are hoping for from a boob job. Unfortunately, simply referring to a particular cup size is no good. There are too many variables, both in what you mean by the cup size you state and the way breast implant size (measured in cc) does not correlate accurately with post-operative bra size. Your tissue characteristics and dimensions affect this too. So consider taking print outs or screen shots of photos of boob job results you have seen and like. Preferably use the surgeon’s own before and after breast implant surgery gallery (they have one I hope?). Show these to your surgeon and ask if they can create a similar look.
Can Crisalix 3D Imaging Help Me Decide On My Implant Size?
Crisalix 3D is a very expensive but highly sophisticated imaging system and software tool that is linked to a database that houses all of the major breast implant manufacturers implants. It has a record of every size, profile, and texture for both silicone implants that are round and anatomical. In clinic, if your specialist has access to this 3D imaging system you would have a 3D scan taken whilst stood up with your bra off and arms by your side. It takes around 3 minutes for the acquisition and analysis, which reveals your image in 3D that can be viewed from any angle. The clever part comes when the implants specific for you are entered into the software as it will immediately create a very realistic simulation of you with the implants in place. Your breast shape changes immediately and you can see the likely outcome of that size of implant specifically in you. You can rotate the image on screen seeing your boob job results in glorious 3D from any angle. It can even show how you look in a bikini or the dynamic changes of movement – how the enlarged breasts move up and down with running, or bending forwards or lying on your back. Your surgeon can point out areas that might be a limitation and help advise you. The software is very sophisticated and in my view it works best when the surgeon has years of experience in choosing implants for your frame based on a biodimensional assessment. Click here to find out more about Crisalix 3D imaging with Philip Turton.
How Does The Specialist Surgeon Decide On Breast Implant Size For My Boob Job?
I am going to explain this in terms of the actual hands on measurement technique I use. It is very important to examine your patient in good lighting, sat upright with a straight back, without any slouching to the shoulders and having ensured that she is sitting with good symmetry. It is amazing how many patients tend to carry a shoulder a little higher on one side and this should be routinely spotted and corrected by the surgeon before taking measurements. There are many key different aspects that must be checked. The first is the visual appearance looking for the presence of chest wall asymmetry between the left and right- it is not uncommon for the rib cage to be more prominent on one side, and sometimes this goes hand in hand with a curve of our spine (a scoliosis), and it can affect outcomes if not understood by your surgeon. The next basic step relates to the overall breast size comparison, the shape and distribution of the breast tissue, and its boundaries. Most patients have asymmetries and this is quite normal. It is also expected that these persist after surgery, but your patients need to know they are there pre-op don’t they!
The initial measurements should always include fixed reference points to key areas. This includes the sternal notch, which is at the top of your beast bone, the mid-clavicular point which is half way along your collar bone (the clavicle), the sternum, which is your midline chest bone, the infra-mammary crease/fold (IMF), which is under your breast, the point of the nipple, the top and bottom edge of the areola, the base width, the most inferior edge of the beast in relation to the IMF, the nipple in relation to the IMF, and the width between the outer breast and the sternal edge, the thoracic width from the axillary line on each side, the circumference of the chest measured above, across, and below the breasts, the nipple to infra-mammary fold distance transposed on the sternal line with your arms relaxed by your side and then again with your hands resting on your head with elbows out, the same measurement must then be taken under maximal tissue stretch, and then the direct comparison of right and left sides- such as the level of the IMF on each side, the level of the base of the breast and level of each nipple on each side.
Breasts will sometimes not have a full and equal shape across the crease line (the IMF) and we sometimes see components that we refer to as a constricted breast shape, or a tuberous beast shape. These changes fall in a spectrum from mild, where just one or two subtleties exist but need to be identified, to more major where there is a clear developmental difference to the way the breast has formed (congenital changes). All of it can affect the recommendation for type of surgery, the planning, and the outcome. It can even affect long term outcome.
Once each component of the breast has been assessed for its tissue characteristics and symmetry to the other side, the measurements are quickly used by an expert to determine your suitability for a boob job. Not everyone is suitable even though most are! But if you are not suitable, you need to know why, and listen carefully. Sometimes, you are suitable but only in combination with another approach such as a breast lift. Sometimes a full breast lift needs to be done as a primary operation before implants can be placed 4-months later. It all depends on your starting point, your measurements and your tissue characteristics. When your surgeon is happy that you are suitable for a boob job they should be able to very quickly determine what I refer to as the optimum implant size and shape. This is optimum as it is based on your measurements and your unique tissue characteristics. If you deviate from optimum it usually means a problem ahead – a higher risk of significant adverse outcomes either in the short term, the intermediate, long term, or all three. These adverse outcomes can have permanent consequences that are either uncorrectable or very expensive to try to correct. It is best not to go there in the first place, so always chose a surgeon who is clearly expert in biodimensional planning and definitely consider one who also uses the Crisalix 3D imaging. Why would you not spend £150 on a detailed planning consultation one-to-one with that specialist, if you are embarking on breast enlargement surgery?!
Conclusions About Planning Implant Size For A Boob Job
- Be realistic, and take your starting point, size, shape and symmetry into account. You are an individual with unique characteristics and can’t chose implant size simply based on what you see other people have had or suggest to you.
- Take time to tell your surgeon what you don’t like as well as what you do like from boob job before and after photos you have seen, and bring these with you.
- Explain your expectations so these can be checked against what can be achieved.
- Seek a specialist surgeon, like Philip Turton, who is highly experienced and uses tissue based planning and biodimensional assessment.
- Ideally also seek a specialist who incorporates Crisalix 3D planning so you get an idea how you will look based on the implants recommended from your assessment.
- Listen to your surgeon and be cautious about exceeding the size recommended.
