The following article was kindly submitted by Hubert Weinberg MD a plastic surgeon in Manhattan New York City. Dr. Weinberg is a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in Manhattan and is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Weinberg has been practicing in plastic surgery in New York for over 20 years. To learn more about Dr. Weinberg and his practice, visit http://www.ny-plasticsurgeon.com/drweinberg  To get a free consultation with Dr. Weinberg click HERE

Choosing the Correct Breast Implant Size       by Hubert Weinberg, M.D., FACS

One of the most important decisions a woman who is contemplating breast augmentation has to consider is the size of the breast implant that will be used. Whether the implant is saline or silicone and even whether the implant is round or teardrop, it is the size of the implant that will be most critical in realizing the breast size a woman desires to achieve. Often in consultation with patients, I will hear that a woman asks to be a certain breast cup size, B, C or D without really understanding how a brassiere cup size is measured or the variations of cup sizes.

As defined in the United States and Europe the cup size is determined by the following formula:
First measure tightly around the torso, directly underneath the breasts. This is the frame size, or underband. To calculate the band size, add 5 in. if the frame size is an odd number, or 4 in if it is even (bras are generally available in band sizes separated by two inches, all labeled by an even number). Next measure loosely around the chest including the fullest part of the breasts, while standing straight with arms to the side. This is the bust size or overbust. The cup size is then the difference between the bust size and the band size, converted into a letter using the following table:

Unfortunately this gets even more complicated since most brassiere manufactures will calculate cup volume size relying not only on this table but also on the band size. For example, the cup size of a 36A bra is the same as a 34B, a 36C cup size is the same as a 34D. Alternatively by changing the band size, a woman will be altering the cup size.

One of the best way that a prospective patient should do before going to her plastic surgeon is trying on several unpadded bras of her correct band size to see if she can decide what size she would like to be. The "rice test" using a sports bra and determining the best volume is also useful, and certainly is quite helpful to the plastic surgeon when a patient in and states with conviction that the exact correct implant is a 375 ml (same as cc)round, moderate profile Mentor implant. That does not happen or if it does , it has never happened to me.

So how is a decision made? Often, it is stated that 100 ml of additional implant size translates into a one inch increase in bust size or in other words a one cup size increase. More recently this has concept has come into question. There are some studies that state that it takes much more than 100 ml to increase the breast by one cup. Also from experience we know that the implant size to change a cup size in a woman who has a band size of 32 will be quite different from that of a woman who is 36.

The answer on how a decision is made is unfortunately complex. The surgeon must take into account the patient’s chest dimension (width and height). Actual measurements should be made and compared to a chart that delineates the dimension of the style implant decided upon. A woman’s existing size and her realistic goals must be taken into account, the type of implant that will be use (silicone implants are more compressible and will translate into a smaller cup size increase for a given volume) and the profile of the implant. Ultimately, it will be the surgeon’s experience and ability to translate a woman’s desire and aesthetic goals to lead to the correct choice of breast implant. There is no quick substitute for experience, judgment and keen aesthetic abilities of the plastic surgeon.

The preceding article was kindly submitted by Dr. Hubert Weinberg a plastic surgeon in Manhattan New York City. Hubert Weinberg, M.D. is a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in New York City and is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Weinberg has been practicing in plastic surgery in Manhattan for over 20 years. To learn more about Dr. Weinberg and his practice, visit http://www.ny-plasticsurgeon.com/drweinberg  To get a free consultation with Dr. Weinberg click HERE