Another thought on how to determine SIZE in breast augmentation

Question ~

At my consult (in fact my second consult) with my doctor, we really hashed out sizing and measurements. I knew going in what my High 5 numbers were, even going as far as getting calipers from Home Depot. I knew what I wanted him to say, and would have been disappointed if he had come back to me with a different recommendation than I wanted to hear, based on this system.

In the end, somewhere between that consult and my pre-op with the nurse, I decided on a larger implant than the High 5 and my surgeon recommended (300/325). I struggled with this decision for weeks. The office is ordering them tomorrow, so if I make any changes it has to be today.

On the merry go round of did I make the right choice, I felt I needed to add my preference into the equation. I chose 50 cc's more than he preferred. I was very worried that the 300/325 wouldn't be large enough to fill my sagging tissue, despite the scientific nature I valued in the system to begin with, but equally worried it would be too big. The implant is moderate plus profile, mentor memory gel (cohesive gel breast implants). I am slightly smaller and wider on one side (who knew), so I chose two different sizes. I tried them on in the office, and two different sizes felt like the same size, two of the same size felt lopsided.

As far as my personal preference, I really LOVED the look of the 325/350 sizers I tried on. That's why I ultimately chose the 350/375 -factoring in under the muscle. The 375 is .2cm wider than my breast width, which still worries me. I justified it to myself that it is a minute difference and I have been pregnant or nursing for more than 8 years of my life, and I am 5'9 certainly doesn't that factor in?

If I had never read that book, I would feel less educated, less prepared and less empowered, but not I feel worried. I wish my PS had that fancy imaging software that Dr. E has, then maybe I would have been more comfortable going with the smaller size. UGH!! Do I go with my instincts? Or am I pushing the envelope? No pun intended! Should I compromise 325/350? Or go with the larger size I prefer? Not again, get me off this merry go round!

Answer ~

At a ps meeting one time, Dr. Teitelbaum gave a really nice talk and used the following analogy.....

If you went into see your heart surgeon about a heart problem and he did diagnostic tests and told you that your heart needed a new #12 valve - - would you argue with him and ask him for sizers to put in to see how the blood flowed or even think about asking him to push the valve size to a #16 instead?

Somewhere along the way, I think both patients and plastic surgeons have lost sight of the end game here - an operation that not only accomplishes an improvement for the patient but a safe result with the least risk of damage to the body - to your breast tissue.

Surgeons do get tired of hearing from patients, "I wish I had gone bigger".  And patients have to be tired of the confusion and frustration about how to determine what size to use.

But if patients truly understood that they each bring limitations to the operation and what those limits are and how they can rework their expectations and still get a marked improvement in their breasts and do it safely, then I believe patients would think about this entire operation on another level.

If you bring it all back to basics - to making preoperative decisions based on objective measurements of the body that will receive the operation.....then it tends to make more sense.

Breast augmentation is an elective, cosmetic procedure - but is still a clinical operation that will change your body for life.

When you question High Five and the number your breast envelop gave you, think about the heart valve......perhaps a different perspective as you weigh your options.