Breast Implants: When Can We Talk Cup Size?

Breast implants do not come in cup sizes.  Unfortunately you cannot simply visit with a plastic surgeon and ask them for D cup breast implants. Once you understand a little about what goes into breast enlargement, however, you will know how to ask for what you want from your doctor.

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 surgeon is different and will discuss the breast size topic with you in the way they are most comfortable.  In summary, 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 other doctors will keep the topic so general that they will prefer to use terms like "Big, Bigger, or Biggest".

So, why are there so many ways to approach the subject of cup size?  One big issue has to do with the variety of ways in which bra manufacturers define cup size in their bras. 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 surgeon's understand, however, that cup size is really the only language we have for breast sizes.  To discuss the matter at all, it is very difficult not to use terms like D cup and DD cup in a discussion.

The best way today to talk about breast size is by using breast implant sizers.  Modern breast 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 implant 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 critical 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 doctor what you want in three-dimensions and on your own body. That is far better than talking in general terms or using pictures of other people.

There are dozens of Los Angeles plastic surgeons and San Francisco plastic surgeons who each have a unique method of discussing your breast augmentation. Try wearing the new Purlz Breast Sizing System to your breast augmentation consultation to show them what size you want to have.

Breast Augmentation: Communicating With Your Doctor

Breast augmentation surgery is now the most common cosmetic surgery in the U.S. Ever since 2005, breast augmentation procedures have been more prevalent than the most recent leader, liposuction.  If you are considering breast implants, one of the top things you need to know is how to communicate with your plastic surgeon.

It may seem simple at the outset.  Some patients have taken the approach, "Just make them bigger."  However, when you consider that you are actually altering your own bodies shape, you should really take this matter seriously with your plastic surgeon. Considering the risks and expenses of breast augmentation surgery, communicating your goals in breast augmentation accurately is critical to being satisfied with the end results.

What Breast Size Is Best For Me?

The single most common reason for patient dissatisfaction with the procedure has to do with breast implant size.   While up to 95 per cent of breast augmentation patients report they are happy they had the procedure done, as much as 50 per cent wish they had chosen a different breast implant size.

Much of this problem has to do with inadequate communication between the patient and their plastic surgeon.  In the past, communicating breast implant size goals has been fairly archaic.

1) Before and after photos of other women are exactly that...other women.  Your body is unique so a two-dimensional picture of another woman with breast implants cannot be adequate in terms of showing your doctor what you want to look like.

2)  Bra cup size discussions such as "Make me a C cup" are theoretical only.  Bra manufacturers all vary in terms of their sizes so your plastic surgeon can only measure based upon an average of various bra sizes.

3) The Rice Bag Test or Birdseed Test.  It is hard to imagine that on such a serious topic, women actually fill a bag with birdseed or rice to guess at what bra size they want.  It is inexpensive but largely ineffective based upon the statistical results.

Thankfully, today there are breast implant sizing systems you can buy and wear for about one hundred dollars.  Take the size issue seriously and try out various breast sizes with a breast implant sizer.  After doing so you can actually show your plastic surgeon in three-dimensions on your own body what you want to look like!

Scarring

Where will the scars be after you have your surgery?

For some women it is important to have as little scarring as possible, but this type of incision method has issues all on its own. For example, the increasingly popular belly button breast augmentation can result in less accurate placement of the implant.  While the scarring is well away from the breast, will your results look natural?  If you want this type of procedure be sure you are working with a qualified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience in this technique.

Recovery Time

How long will it take to recover?   Each technique and breast implant size may impact how long the healing process will take for you.  Your doctor will be recommending healing products including breast augmentation recovery bras to aid you in the process.  There have been many advancements in this area in recent years.  If this is a big concern for you, you will want to make sure to discuss this thoroughly with your surgeon.  How many breast augmentation procedures do they perform each year? Are they well practiced on all the latest healing techniques?

Trust With Your Plastic Surgeon

Ultimately, the most important part of communication is to work with a plastic surgeon that you feel you can trust.  Are they answering all your questions thoroughly?  Do you feel rushed in the process?  Is breast augmentation a primary procedure for them?  How does the staff treat you? If you do not feel this sense of deep trust, you will never be able to communicate with the doctor as thoroughly as you wish.

There are many Manhattan plastic surgeons and Long Island plastic surgeons who are interested in taking the time necessary to help you through the process.  Be sure to visit at least two or three before you make your final choice in plastic surgeons.

Breast Augmentation Recovery Bras

Breast augmentation recovery bras are one of your basic needs when you undergo breast implant surgery. Wearing the appropriate bras both before your procedure and after can help ease the pain after breast augmentation and can improve your long term results.

If you are considering breast augmentation you should be thinking of both the short term and long term care of your new breasts.  Since the enhancement procedure itself is invasive, expensive, and not without risk, plan now for how you will attend to your breasts after they are augmented with breast implants.

The recovery process in terms of breast augmentation bras actually begins before your procedure.  Since the main reason women are dissatisfied with the results of their breast augmentation has to do with their breast implant size, It is critical that you buy a breast implant sizer system to help you decide upon what breast implant size you will want.

Many breast implant sizing bras are fairly flimsy and useful only for the time in which you are choosing your breast implant sizes before your surgery. Other breast augmentation sizing bras are multi-purpose and can be used during the recovery process, as well.  While a bit more expensive, get a system bra that will be useful after your surgery as well as before.

A good breast implant sizing bra will allow you to actually wear the breast implant sizers around for a few weeks while appearing natural within the bra.  By going through this process you will soon get a good idea of what breast implant size you need to be. Hold on to this bra as it will become useful a few weeks after your surgery.

There are typically at least two stages of breast augmentation bras you will need to have ready immediately after your procedure. Plan to buy them before hand so they will be ready to wear post-op.

The first bra after surgery is a plastic surgery recovery garment which is designed to have high compression while being very comfortable at the same time.  A breast augmentation recovery bra will help reduce painful swelling that occurs in the breasts after the procedure. The tight compression of the bra will help minimize motion of your breasts while keeping the swelling in check.

The breast augmentation recovery bra will help improve your blood circulation, shorten your recovery time, and help flush out potentially harmful bodily fluids. After about one week in this bra, some surgeons will recommend a second recovery bra with a bit lighter compression.

After the first two weeks your surgeon may recommend to wear a good sports bra for about four more weeks before you can wear the pretty bras you have been waiting for. During the sports bra stage you can use the one included with your breast implant sizing system.

At this stage of the process your breasts will still be healing but will no longer require the tight compression of the breast augmentation recovery bra. A good sports bra will allow for more motion and improved blood circulation while your breasts complete the healing process.

Are you planning for your breast augmentation recovery? Your breast augmentation bras are critical to your recovery. Learn more about breast implant sizes and breast augmentation recovery and the Purlz Breast Sizing System from L.W. Gatz.

Breast Enlargement Surgeons: Finding The Right One

Breast implant surgeons enjoy working in the most common plastic surgery procedure today, breast augmentation. The decision upon which breast augmentation surgeon is critical since the results of their surgery will be with you for years to come.  How should you choose your San Diego breast augmentation surgeon?

Professional Experience

Learn about your breast augmentation surgeon's experience.  While many surgeons offer the procedure, comparatively few specialize in it.  How many breast augmentations have they done in the last 12 months?  How many have they done over their career? Ask your plastic surgeon about their licenses, and organizational certificates, and  board certifications.

Breast Enlargement Techniques Breast implant surgeons may have techniques which they have been trained in, and others which they are not.  For example, if you are interested in the transumbilical incision (TUBA), you will need to find a surgeon who has been trained in it.

Plastic Surgeon Patient Referrals

Ask your friends, family, and coworkers for a referral to a breast implant surgeon they know. You may also ask your breast implant surgeon if they have any patients who would be open to your telephone call also.

Surgical Center Where does your surgeon perform the procedure?  If it is at a hospital or surgical center, is it accredited?

Breast Implants Procedure Cost

How much does the breast augmentation procedure cost?  Be sure to get a quote for the entire cost in writing, though your final decision should not be based upon cost alone.
Trust Your Gut

Trust your instinct after meeting with your breast implant surgeon for a consultation.  Did you feel completely comfortable with him or her? Pay attention to everything from the surgeon's demeanor to the cleanliness of the office.  Do not finalize your decision about which breast augmentation surgeon to use until you feel a deep sense of trust.

Before and After Photos

Most doctors will offer before and after photos in their offices of their clients.  Some will post them on the internet, but will have even more in their office. Ask them to find photos of body types similar to yours with breast implant sizes similar to that which you want.

Upon meeting with your breast implant surgeon they will offer you the opportunity to try on breast implant sizers in their office to see what you might look like with different breast implant sizes. While this is an exciting experiment, it is all too brief since your plastic surgeons office is very busy.

Take your time deciding upon your breast implant sizes by wearing a breast implant sizing system at home and during your normal daily activities.  Since this is the most common reason for dissatisfaction amongst breast augmentation patients, you must take advantage of these new sizing systems developed in the past several months.

Breast Implant Sizes: Choosing The Right Size For Your Procedure

One of the critical decisions in breast augmentation has to do with your choice in breast implant sizes. Over the years it has been one of the most difficult choices for women going through breast implant surgery.

The intriguing mystery over breast implant size choice has been with the industry since its beginning. Doctors approach the subject with a wide variety of perspectives.

Some of the most common doctor perspectives:
1) Some doctors will talk with their patients in terms of what cup size they want to have

2) Other doctors refuse to discuss cup size, but will only quote breast implant sizes

3) Still other doctors refuse to let the patient have input on the subject at all How will you know which method is best for you?

I have met with one surgeon who only offers the patient three options:  Big, Bigger, and Biggest. Based on how the patient responds, the doctor augments her breast to his vision of big, bigger, biggest.

I have read some commentaries from other doctors who choose not to minimize the discussion of breast size with the patient in the breast augmentation consultation. The doctor will ask the patient to have faith in him, since after their years of experience they feel they know what is best and prettiest for their body type.

This method has some merit, of course, since no one can predict precisely what your breast size will be once you have been through your surgery. The surgeon’s experience with various body types is critical in terms of obtaining a natural looking result from your breast augmentation.

These approaches to breast implant sizes are all very different, ranging from high patient interaction all the way to purely a doctor’s choice.  Most women I have talked with prefer to have a lot of control in the decision making process.  They are looking for as much advice as they possibly can while making this important decision.   The breast implant size choice they make will be with them for years to come.

Thankfully, breast implant sizers now allow the patient to feel and experience the impacts of various breast implant sizes before she makes the final decision. This option actually satisfies all of the doctors noted above.

Breast implant sizers are designed to fit within a bra and offer you the opportunity to get a good idea of what different breast sizes might look like on you. While it is possible to imagine what you might look like as a C cup or D cup, it is much easier to make a good decision when you actually experience it on your own body.  Breast implant sizers increase your bra size to a variety of different dimensions so you can experience and see the differences.

Find your Beverly Hills plastic surgeons in the L.W. Gatz directory.