Dr. Steely Helps Women Choosing Breast Augmentation to Select a Size That Compliments Their Frame
For most patients, selecting an implant size feels like the biggest decision in the breast augmentation process. It is also one of the most commonly misunderstood. Implant size is not simply about reaching a certain cup size. It is about volume, chest dimensions, and how an implant interacts with your existing tissue to create a proportionate result.
At Steely Plastic Surgery, Dr. Steely approaches implant sizing with the same philosophy that guides every aspect of his surgical planning: results should reflect balance and proportion, not an arbitrary number. His sizing process is methodical, hands-on, and tailored to your individual frame rather than relying on a generic chart.
What Determines the Right Breast Implant Size?
Several anatomical factors influence which implant size will look proportionate on a given patient:
Chest Width
The width of your chest wall sets a natural boundary for how much implant volume your frame can accommodate while still looking balanced. A narrower chest generally supports a smaller base width implant, regardless of how much volume a patient may want.
Existing Breast Tissue
Patients with more natural breast tissue already have some baseline volume and shape. The implant size needed to reach a desired outcome is often smaller than for patients with very little existing tissue.
Skin Elasticity
Skin quality affects how an implant will settle and how much volume the tissue can comfortably support over time. Reduced elasticity may call for a more conservative size to protect long-term results.
Torso Proportions
Overall body frame, including height and shoulder width, plays a role in how a given implant size will appear. The same implant can look dramatically different on two patients with different proportions.
Lifestyle
Activity level and daily routine are worth factoring into the conversation. Patients with very active lifestyles sometimes prefer more conservative sizing for comfort during exercise and physical activity.
Understanding Breast Implant Volume
Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters, or cc, which refers to the volume of material inside the implant rather than a bra cup size. This distinction matters because cup size is not a standardized measurement. The same cc volume can translate to a different visual cup size depending on a patient’s chest width and existing tissue.
As a general point of reference, each 150 to 200cc of implant volume often corresponds to roughly one cup size increase, though this varies significantly from patient to patient. Because of this variability, Dr. Steely does not rely on cup size language during planning. Instead, he focuses on cc volume in combination with your physical measurements to predict a realistic outcome.
How Dr. Steely Uses Sizers to Confirm Fit Before Finalizing Your Breast Implant
One of the more distinctive aspects of Dr. Steely’s surgical technique is his use of intraoperative sizers. A sizer is a temporary implant placed in the breast pocket during surgery to confirm volume and fit before the permanent implant is selected.
This step matters because measurements and pre-operative estimates, while useful, cannot fully predict how a specific volume will look once it is actually in place. By placing a sizer first, Dr. Steely can assess the result directly on the patient while she is still on the operating table. If the initial estimate does not produce the intended proportion, a different sizer is placed and reassessed before any final decision is made.
This process adds time and precision to the surgery, but it significantly reduces the chance of choosing a size that does not suit the patient’s anatomy. It is a meaningful safeguard against one of the most common regrets patients report after breast augmentation: feeling that their implants ended up too large or too small for their frame.
Communicating Your Desired Breast Size Goals
Patients often struggle to put their desired outcome into words during a consultation, and that is completely normal. A few approaches can help bridge the gap between a vague idea and a concrete surgical plan.
Reference photos of body types similar to your own, rather than the size of a particular implant another patient chose, tend to be the most useful starting point. Bringing in a few photos that reflect proportions you find appealing gives Dr. Steely a visual benchmark to work from.
Trying on different bra sizes and padding can also help clarify how much added volume actually feels comfortable, both visually and physically. Some patients find it useful to wear a slightly padded bra for a period of time before their consultation to get a sense of how a fuller chest feels in daily life.
Review our Before & After Gallery to see real patient results with body types similar to your own.
Breast Implant Size FAQs
Does implant placement affect mammogram accuracy?
Both placement types allow for accurate mammography. Submuscular placement can make it slightly easier to image breast tissue separately from the implant. Be sure to inform your imaging center about your implants and their placement ahead of any screening.
Does implant placement affect the risk of capsular contracture?
Some research suggests submuscular placement may be associated with a somewhat lower risk of capsular contracture compared to subglandular placement. Individual risk still depends on multiple factors. Dr. Steely will discuss this in more detail based on your specific anatomy.
Can implant placement be changed after the initial surgery?
In some cases, yes. Implant placement can sometimes be revised during a secondary procedure. This depends on the original surgical technique and the patient’s anatomy. This is a conversation to have directly with your surgeon if concerns arise after your initial augmentation.
Which placement is more commonly recommended?
There is no universal default. The right placement depends entirely on individual anatomy. Dr. Steely makes this determination based on a physical evaluation rather than a standard protocol applied to every patient.
Will animation deformity go away over time?
Animation deformity is related to muscle anatomy and implant position. It typically does not resolve on its own. Most patients find it to be a minor cosmetic consideration rather than something that affects daily comfort.
Dr. Steely’s Approach to Breast Implant Sizing
Dr. Robert Lee Steely is dual board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. His credentials reflect decades of focused experience in cosmetic breast surgery. Dr. Steely has long emphasized that aesthetic proportion matters more than absolute size, a principle that shapes every part of his sizing process rather than a single decision made during consultation.
That philosophy is put into direct practice through his use of intraoperative sizers, which allow him to confirm fit on the operating table rather than relying solely on pre-operative estimates. Patients typically meet with Dr. Steely for a minimum of two consultations before surgery, giving him the opportunity to take precise measurements, understand individual goals, and refine the surgical plan before the day of the procedure.
Every procedure is performed personally by Dr. Steely in his own AAAASF-accredited Class C operating suite, part of his Houston facility located on Richmond Avenue in the Upper Kirby and Greenway Plaza area. This accredited, private surgical setting allows for a controlled environment during the sizing and placement process, with the same safety standards required of any certified outpatient surgical center.
Dr. Steely has received multiple Patients’ Choice Awards, Compassionate Doctor Recognition, and repeated Top Doctor honors from H Texas Magazine, reflecting consistent satisfaction among patients regarding both their results and their experience throughout the surgical process.
Schedule a Consultation at Steely Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX
If you are exploring breast implant sizes in Houston, contact Steely Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Steely. His Upper Kirby practice serves patients throughout the greater Houston area.