2026-06-29
Breast Augmentation Surgery - What to Consider Before Deciding on Implant Size??
Learn how to choose the right breast implant size based on your body, preventing rippling and ensuring a natural look. Expert advice from Dr. Lee Jae-soo.
The size of breast implants is determined by considering the patient's physical conditions (chest width, nipple-inframammary fold distance, skin thickness) and ensuring safety.
To prevent rippling side effects and create a breast shape that suits your body type,
Dr. Lee Jae-soo, director of Next Plastic Surgery, with over 22 years of experience in breast surgery, will tell you what factors to consider when deciding on implant size!
Three factors determining breast implant size
Horizontal width of the chest
The surgeon measures from the sternum to the anterior axillary line with a ruler.
It is safer to choose an implant that is about 0.5-1 cm smaller than the measured horizontal width.
If the implant is too large, it can irritate important sensory nerves emerging from beneath the ribs, leading to dullness of sensation.
Distance from nipple to inframammary fold
This is the standard for determining the vertical width of the breast.
If this distance is short and an excessively large implant is inserted, it can result in an unnatural shape with a 'ledge' at the bottom.
Rib exposure and skin thickness
It is important to check if your body type is thin with little breast tissue, causing the ribs to be very visible.
If there is not enough overlying tissue, the outer edge of the implant may become prominent.
Reasons for Rippling
Rippling, a side effect where the edges of the breast implant appear wrinkled after breast augmentation, can occur when breast tissue is too thin or when an excessively large implant is forced in.
Thinning of the skin: Initially after surgery, the skin tissue is taut, appearing firm and round. However, over time, the skin (dermis) gradually stretches and becomes more natural.
Side effects of choosing an excessive size: Just as dough thins when stretched, skin also thins when it stretches. If a person with an originally thin body type has an excessively large implant inserted, the skin stretches beyond its limit and becomes very thin.
Exposure of wrinkles: Consequently, the soft tissue covering the implant becomes too thin, causing the wrinkled contours and folds of the implant's edge to show through or be palpable on the skin's surface.
[Medical Tips and Precautions]
For successful breast augmentation, it is important to acknowledge your anatomical physical limitations rather than obsessing over a simple cup size.
It is crucial to have a detailed consultation with a specialist before surgery to adjust to the maximum size within a safe range that avoids nerve damage and rippling side effects.
* This article is intended to help Next Plastic Surgery patients understand medical information and complies with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.
After breast augmentation procedures or surgery, individual conditions may vary in terms of swelling, recovery period, bleeding, etc., and caution against side effects is necessary.
Therefore, we recommend planning your surgery after careful consideration through sufficient consultation with a specialist.