Amicus Clinic
One of the first questions patients ask at a breast augmentation consultation is how much bigger they will be, or how many cup sizes they can go up. It's a fair question, but choosing an implant involves more than picking a size. In our practice, it is a shared decision. Your goals guide the choice, and your anatomy decides what will look natural and hold up well over time.
What you want
We start by understanding what you have in mind. Some patients want a subtle change, some want something more noticeable, and most sit somewhere in between. In practice, the majority of our patients opt for a moderate increase in volume.
Cup sizes aren't standardised and vary between brands and countries. So we talk in terms of volume and shape rather than promising a particular cup size.
What your anatomy allows
Once we know your goals, we look at your measurements and tissue.
The first is breast base diameter, the width of your breast. We choose an implant whose base is a little smaller than this, so it sits comfortably within your chest and blends into your natural contour.
The second is projection, which is how far the implant comes forward from the chest wall. It goes hand in hand with the volume increase you want. Since most patients choose a moderate increase, moderate projection is common. We also factor in skin laxity, since how much your skin stretches affects how the implant settles.
For patients with a small frame, and for those having augmentation as part of gender-affirming surgery, we usually prefer high-projection implants with a smaller base diameter. This adds volume without the implant looking too wide for the chest.
Smooth or textured implantsWe mostly use smooth implants. Where a textured surface is preferred, we use nano-textured or micro-textured implants.
Where the implant is placedFor most patients, the implant goes in the subglandular plane, behind the breast tissue and above the chest muscle. In very thin patients, who have less natural tissue to cover the implant, we place it under the muscle (subpectoral) or use a dual-plane approach. The extra coverage keeps the implant edges from showing and gives a softer result.
Combining implants with fat graftingSometimes an implant alone can't give the shape a patient is after. In those cases we combine it with fat grafting, taking fat from another part of the body by liposuction and transferring it to the breast. This is known as hybrid breast augmentation. We use it mainly when more fullness is needed in the upper part of the breast, for a smoother slope, or in the inner part, for better cleavage.
In summaryThe right implant isn't the biggest one or the most popular one. It's the one that fits both what you want and what your body can carry well. At your consultation, we'll take measurements, talk through the options, and plan it together.
If you're considering breast augmentation, get in touch to book a consultation. In case you would like to read more on breast augmentation please click here.