The Body
Here is some information to help you:
- The basics
- The shapes
- Sizes in cubic centimetres are not necessarily the reference
- Your lifestyle
- Consider shape and position, not just size
- Show your photos
- Ask the people around you for advice?
- Conclusion
The basics
These days, silicone implants are used almost exclusively for breast augmentation. Breast implants have an outer shell made of silicone and are also filled with silicone gel. They are available in different sizes and have either smooth or structured shells. Most silicone implants are available in sizes ranging from 100 ml to 800 ml.
The shapes
In principle, there are three shapes of implant: The anatomical shape, also known as the teardrop shape, the round shape and an ergonomic intermediate shapeix between the round and anatomical shapes. Round implants create more volume in the upper pole, while teardrop-shaped implants create a more natural transition. The final shape of your breasts after breast augmentation also depends very much on the anatomy of your breasts before augmentation.
Sizes in cubic centimetres are not necessarily the reference
Implants are measured in cubic centimetres (CC) or mililitres. It’s difficult to translate CCs into cup sizes, but in general, 125-175 CCs is about one cup size bigger. Many patients come to me convinced: ‘I want 350 cc. because that’s the photo I saw on Instagram’. What suits one person won’t necessarily suit you.
Typically, if you have a medium A cup, you will need an implant of between 275 and 350 cc to have a C cup after the operation. However, it is not very useful to orient yourself according to cup size. Bra sizes vary from one brand to another; many women wear the wrong bra size and don’t even know what an A, B or C cup breast really looks like. When deciding on your size, you should think primarily about how you want your breasts to look and not get hung up on the cup size after the operation.
Experience shows that if you’re not sure between two sizes, it’s usually better to go for the larger one, especially if the difference is minimal. You need at least 75 CC between 2 implants to really notice a difference. If you choose between 275 CC and 295 CC – I could put one implant in one breast and the other in the other breast, you’d hardly notice.
‘If in doubt, take the larger size’.
At Clinique Bellefontaine, you will test different ‘volumes’, also known as ‘sizers’, in a suitable bra in order to project the final volume of the breast after augmentation. This exercise is one of the most important factors in determining the right implant volume for you. As I always say: ‘When you’re wearing clothes, you really need large implants (usually from 400 cc upwards) to see a breast augmentation that doesn’t look natural. Nude, however, the breast can sometimes already appear artificial from 275 cc upwards’.
Your lifestyle
When considering breast augmentation, it’s important to take your lifestyle into account. Are you a fan of strenuous workouts such as high-intensity fitness classes? If so, extra-large implants may not be for you. The larger the implants, the heavier they are, and the more they can get in the way when running, for example.
You should also think about the type of clothing you prefer. If you want to do without a bra or if you prefer to opt for a discreet change when you put on clothes, it’s better to use smaller implants.
Consider shape and position, not just size
Breast augmentation is not just about size. Many women opt for this procedure because they are unhappy with the shape and/or position of their breasts. For example, after breast-feeding, the breasts may sag and appear empty. Other women have breasts that are naturally less full, especially at the upper pole.
The same 290 CC implant can give a totally different appearance after breast augmentation in two women with two breasts of different basic shape and appearance (you can see our before and after results for yourself). This is where your height, weight, build and above all the shape of the basic breast come into play.
Show photos
It can be very useful to show your doctor photos of breasts that you like. Many people show me photos of women in bras or swimming costumes. It is important to show photos of bare breasts, and even better if the basic breast shape is similar to yours.
Ask the people around you for advice?
When choosing the size of your implants, you may hear many different opinions from friends and family. In the end, it’s important to get a feel for the final size you want. This should not be a decision made by other people.
The choice of breast size is a personal decision – just because your best friend has a great result with a 315 cc implant doesn’t mean that these implants are right for you. There are many important factors to consider when choosing an implant size, from lifestyle to body shape to age. As a general rule, there is no ‘perfect’ choice, but a range of sizes that work well.
Conclusion
In view of all that’s been said above, choosing the right implant isn’t so simple, is it? But that’s where we at Clinique Bellefontaine come in and help you make your choice. At the end of the consultation, we’ll usually give you a choice of two or three different volumes. It is important to have decided at least a week before the operation on the definitive size you would like to have, so that you don’t arrive stressed on the day of the operation without yet being sure of the size you would like to have. You should know that all the sizes we offer will be adapted to your needs.
