The recent issue of our Plastic and Reconstructive surgery journal (June 2010) had an article to discuss “Preoperative Sizing in Breast Augmentation.” Conclusion? Those women who had preoperative sizing were closer to their desired outcome.
This is not a shock. Makes sense if you try on sizing implants and look at yourself in the mirror, you will be better able to pick what you are comfortable with. Maybe I am biased- their technique is exactly what I have found successful- which is to have women try on gel sizing implants twice (or more) before surgery. I also send my patients home with the rice test, so they can preview and wear around their new size for a while before picking their final size.
What I really find shocking is the doctors who just “pick a size” for their patient. More shockingly, I can’t imagine any of my Palo Alto Bay Area moms allowing someone to pick a size for them. I thought the “honey I know what you need” era was long gone.
My recommendations (which they echo in the paper):
- don’t focus on a specific cup size
- every patient is different. (body type, hips/curves, shoulders, muscle, height, weight)
- be comfortable in all of your looks (dropping kids off at school to going out on a saturday night)
Interestingly, the patient population of the investigator mimics my patient population- women seeking more conservative breast augmentations, particularly to restore what was lost after child rearing. Of those who chose their size preoperatively, the average size was lower than for those women who did not pick their implant size.
“Most patients today conduct considerable research, much of it Internet based…Many have fixed notions of size …based on cup size, celebrity or internet photographs, the experience of friends (both good and bad), or their personality…Verbal communication alone between the patient and physician, even if supplemented, is an unreliable method for determining implant size.”
I agree. You are smart, intelligent women (particularly if you are reading my blog). This is your body. Your body, your breast, your choice. I am here to help guide you- gel vs. saline, widths, projections, profiles of implant… But you are the one best at making the choice of size. You just need to see it.