Can I Get Silicone Gel Breast Implants Larger Than 800ccs?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Five years ago  I got my first set of implants 500cc smooth round dual plane moderate plus implants. After drop and fluff I lost alot of the volume and was left disappointed. One year later I revised my breasts. I got 800cc smooth round high profile implants and they were phenomenal! 

Last year I gave birth to my final child and I breast fed for 12 week. My boobs were full and robust when the milk came in but after breast feeding they have now softened and finally dropped.

I wish to get either these two silicone breast implants

1050cc motiva

1135cc mentor (maybe 1240cc)

Keep the dual plane placement for a more natural look

I have been told by three plastic surgeons that they don’t go any bigger in implant and they suggest I get a lift. I believe a lift wouldn’t help my goal as that is taking skin away from the area when all I want is to fill the area

A: Thank you for sending  your pictures. The question is not whether you can increase your breast implant size to greater than 1000ccs but whether it will have the effect you ideally desire. It will increase your breast size for certain but it will not have much of a lifting effect. Technically your prior consultations were correct in that a lift is the only way to change the now imbalance of upper pole tissue vs lower pole tissue. Bur given the magnitude of that ‘problem’ the tradeoff of the scars would be aesthetically ill-advised.

When increasing breast implant size greater than 800ccs with an already good result there are several basic principles to be aware:

1) The larger breast implant size should not violate the existing capsule that already exists particularly the inferior and lateral capsule borders to make the implant fit. When that is done implant malposition/drop may result creating a problem that is very difficult to correct due to the weight of the implants. While I am confident that you can go from 800cc to 1000cc  with a low risk of that concern how much beyond that can not be predicted in advance. But as a general rule most patients can not safely go beyond a 30% size increase.

2) It is also important to be aware in any aesthetic implant surgery, including breast implants, that past history (lack of any significant problems  like infection, capsular contracture, asymmetry etc) is not a guarantee of a future uncomplicated aesthetic outcome.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon