What Are The Limits In Volume For Large Breast Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am currently looking for doctors who have experience with and are willing to place larger saline implants (900-1600cc overfilled). Please let me know if you are experienced in working with larger sizes, what the largest sizes you’ve worked with are, what your technique entails and if you have any example photo.

A:  As you may know, the largest saline breast implant that is manufactured for U.S. use is an 800cc implant. If you follow the manufacturer’s recommended fill volumes, the maximum fill should be 960cc. That is a fill volume established by the manufacturer based on the long-term tolerances of the silicone shell. I have filled 800cc implants up to 1200cc. At that point they start to become very hard due to the pressure of saline and the stretch of the implant shell. I would not recommend going any bigger than that given the high risk of shell rupture. It is important that you understand that anything beyond a 960cc fill volume would also nullify any warranty from the manufacturer once you exceed their FDA-approved fill volume.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana