It Begins With Shape, Not Size
The first and most important choice in a breast augmentation is the implant itself, and there is an array of selections, each with its own list of pros and cons. A round implant comes in three profiles: high, moderate, and low. Each exists for a reason, and each suits a different goal. The clearest way to sort through them is an unhurried consultation with an experienced surgeon who works with them every day, rather than a decision made from a brochure.
The Factors That Decide
Most patients arrive saying they want to look “natural”, but natural is subjective. What flatters one woman won’t flatter another, and the right silhouette is the one built around your frame. Dr. Roudner weighs a handful of factors together, ending with the measurement that matters most:
Preferred Size
Where you’d like to land, used as a starting point rather than a fixed target.
Your Anatomy
A wider chest needs a large enough implant to avoid an unnatural cleavage; a narrower frame calls for less.
The Look You Want
The anticipated shape and profile, and how the breast reads as you walk, lie down, and bend, not just standing upright.
Base Measurement
A simple measuring-tape measurement at the base of the breast confirms the implant fits, without rippling or scalloping of the skin.
Why Cup Size Only Goes So Far
Cup size is a useful shorthand, a way for you and Dr. Roudner to picture and talk through what you have in mind. But there are no hard-and-fast rules for what defines each cup, so on its own it’s unreliable; the underlying tissue determines actual size, and that varies widely from woman to woman. A better baseline is a reference image you bring in from a magazine, catalog, or the website, paired with trying sizer implants on top of your own breasts to see what you actually like.
Saline & Silicone
Both are proven options, and the right one depends on your body and your goals. Silicone gel implants went through a period in the early 1990s when they were available only through FDA-monitored studies; the FDA has since approved them again, and they’re safe when your surgeon judges you a good candidate, though they aren’t the right fit for everyone. Saline implants use a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saltwater; if one ever ruptures, the saline is simply absorbed by the body without causing complications.
What Goes Into the Cost
Cost varies with a surgeon’s experience, the type of implant chosen, and where the office is located, so a figure only means something in the context of your plan. It can include the surgeon’s fee, the surgical facility, anesthesia, the implants themselves, prescriptions, post-surgery garments, and medical tests, and many practices offer financing, so it’s worth asking. Cosmetic augmentation isn’t covered by health insurance. Above all, your satisfaction involves more than a fee: choose a reputable surgeon rather than the lowest price.
Frequently asked questions
Does “natural” mean the same thing for everyone?
No. A natural look is subjective, what suits one woman’s frame won’t suit another’s. Your preferred size, your anatomy, and the shape you’re after all combine to define what natural means for you.
Is cup size a reliable way to choose?
It’s helpful for communicating, but there are no firm rules for what defines a cup, so it’s unreliable on its own. Underlying tissue determines actual size, reference photos and trying on sizers give a much clearer starting point.
Are silicone implants safe?
After a period in the early 1990s when silicone gel implants were available only through FDA-monitored studies, the FDA has approved them again. They’re safe when your surgeon judges you a good candidate, though they aren’t right for every patient.
What happens if a saline implant leaks?
The shell is silicone and the filling is sterile saltwater. If the implant ruptures, the saline is simply absorbed by the body, so a leak won’t cause complications.
