During my career I have noticed that, besides usual questions related to silicones and breast enlargement, there are also certain urban myths regarding the same. I will try in the “Mythbusters” style to say something about each one. I have chosen five of them to start with, but I believe that this will be only the first episode…

1. Implant volume directly influences the bra size or 400ccm is a “D”

This is by far the most common myth and it is somewhat true, with a little modification: pre-surgery situation must be considered and there is also everything that “comes” with an implant to be added to the entire picture. Therefore, implant of 350ccm will not look the same on every patient; neither will it always form “C” cup or “strong three”. There are patients of gracile body that gained significantly bigger breasts with 275ccm implant, while in tall girls with broad shoulders and back even the 400ccm implants sometimes “disappear” and thus patients often choose bigger. There is a rough rule that every 180ccm enlarges a bra for one size, but the best method is to try on a demo implant in front of a mirror and to choose the one that looks the best.

2. Size of a cup is the best way to measure breast size

There comes a point in every conversation between a doctor and a patient when bra size is mentioned, but this is not the only way of measuring. You certainly notice yourself big differences in clothing sizes, which differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. There are at least three ways of labeling of bra sizes in Europe, and America and China add at least 3-4 ways more. Such variety makes the communication difficult and this is the reason why I use in my work a centimeter as a measure to describe size of breasts, measure their volume, diameters, nipple height from the collar bone, width of shoulders and hips and I take all these parameters into consideration when choosing and implant, while always listening what patient’s wishes are.

3. There is only one “right” way to enlarge breasts

This is a myth that is often present at forums where patients, satisfied with their appearance, praise the method used on their example. At one point most popular was the method of placing the implant under the gland, while subsequently placing of the same under a muscle became preferred option. Both of these methods had their advantages and flaws. In a strive to overcome the flaws their combination appeared – “dual-plane”, as well as some less frequently used methods, for example implant placed into retrofascial space. It is correct that “dual-plane” method suits skinny patients the most, but this is not the only method that gives good results. Similarly with bigger patients, subglandularly placed implant is not the only one that looks good. Choice of technique depends on patient’s desire, her life style, sport activities she practices, time she can take to recover, as well as how much pain she can take. After all, if there was only one technique, everyone would use it.

4. Silicones are dangerous to health!

This is of course true if you plan to use untested (and cheap) implants, like in situation that happened in France during previous years with PIP implants. In my work I use “Mentor” implants, which manufacturers are so sure in the quality of their products, that they give lifelong guarantee for the same. Truth is that modern silicone implants do not cause any of today known diseases and they are even approved by the rigorous FDA. During previous years it was considered that they complicate examination of breasts, but this is all in the past now- radiologist have learnt how to interpret mammography scans and breasts ultrasound in women with breast implants. It is considered that, due to more often examinations of breasts in women with breast implants, smaller number of tumors remains undiscovered.

5. Everyone will know you have breast implants

Of course they will! This is why same are put into breasts! But it is not like that. When I look at photo I am often in dilemma if they are “natural” or enlarged. Anatomic implants are such that they can imitate natural breasts with their shape. Round implants additionally give nice fullness to the upper part of the breast, at the expense of mild “fake” appearance, which most of women and men consider nice- just remember the “Baywatch” show. It has been considered that silicones are hard, stationary and artificial. These were the stories of men from the 90’s, who secretly wished for an adventure with a girl with “silicone breasts” and read their description in some magazine. When touched, today’s implants are of almost the same consistency like the natural breasts. After all, the fact that over years they do not change in shape and consistency can only be considered as their advantage.