Extra Large Breast Augmentation in the USA: What You Need to Know

If you’re considering extra large breast augmentation and you’re based in the UK or another country, you may choose to travel to the USA for your procedure. This is especially true if you’re seeking extra-large breast implants beyond the typical limits of commercially available sizes, such as 1000cc breast implants or even 2000cc breast implants, especially when saline filled and overfilled beyond the breast implant manufacturer’s recommended volume. I have discovered a photo gallery showcasing the results of patients treated by a plastic surgeon in the USA who is willing to overfill saline breast implants up to 3000cc. Please note, I am not endorsing or recommending this surgeon; this link is provided solely as a visual reference.

Extra Large Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants

Extra-large breast implants are typically performed using saline breast implants. For silicone breast implants, the standard size generally reaches up to 800cc, but there are options for custom made silicone breast implants that can exceed this volume.

• Saline and Silicone-Filled Implants: Manufacturers like Mentor produce a range of breast implants called the Becker range, that contain 2 separate chambers. The largest breast implant is available is the SILTEX™ Round BECKER™ 25 Expander/ Breast Implant Cohesive I™.  implants, which contain two chambers: one filled with silicone and the other with saline. The largest pre-filled volume available in these implants is 1000cc, with 200cc of silicone and 800cc of saline. Your surgeon can fill the saline chamber progressively, potentially reaching up to 1000cc or more, depending on your skin’s ability to stretch.

• Overfilling Saline Implants: Saline implants can be overfilled, but doing so by more than 10% voids their warranty. Surgeons in the USA may overfill saline implants or tissue expanders, often referred to as expandable breast implants, to volumes as large as 3000cc. If you aim for such high volumes, you’ll likely need to undergo multiple appointments to gradually fill the implants. How often and the amount of saline that can be added will depend on how your skin and tissues respond to the tissue expander and each additional fill of saline. It is also advisable to remain in the USA for a minimum of 7 days after the port is removed when your breast implants have been filled to the desired size. This is to ensure you don’t need any additional care due to the risk of both necrosis (death of skin cells) and infection. The last thing you want is to be happy with the size of your breasts and then need to have your  breast implants removed shortly after returning to the UK!

Related Reading: How to Decide Which Breast Implant Size Is Best for You

Final Considerations: Make Sure It’s What You Really Want

Ultimately, the decision to undergo extra-large breast augmentation is deeply personal. Make sure you’re choosing this path because it’s what you truly want, not due to outside pressure. Consider the long term implications, such as potential future surgeries and the emotional and physical aspects of recovery. You should also be prepared for potential complications and the need for future revision breast surgeries.

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is paramount. Ensure that your plastic surgeon is experienced in using large volumes, such as 1000cc breast implants or 2000cc breast implants, and is equipped to manage the complexities of tissue expanders. If you’re determined to pursue extra large breast augmentation in the USA, seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with overfilling saline breast implants or tissue expanders and understands how to minimise potential issues down the road.

Whatever you decide make sure you are choosing to have extra large breast augmentation because you want to! Never be persuaded by a partner or a film company or modelling agency. Consider what you will do if you suffer from complications and need to have your breast implants removed. Do you want to risk needing extensive surgery later on in life?

FAQ: Extra Large Breast Augmentation in the USA 

1. What Size Breast Implants is Big Enough?

The size of your breast implants is a personal decision that depends on your goals. As a general guideline 1 cup size increase generally requires volumes between 150cc to 200cc. If you are seeking a more dramatic increase, larger implants, breast implants 1000cc and beyond can be used, but keep in mind that extra large breast implants like 2000cc may require tissue expanders to prepare your skin and tissues for such large volumes. g

N.B: There is no exact formula for determining how many cup sizes a breast implant will increase, as this can vary based on several factors, including your skin and breast tissue, the shape and size of the implant, and the placement technique used. This is why tissue expanders are often recommended for those seeking extra large breast implants. Tissue expanders can be gradually filled over time, allowing your skin to stretch and adjust to the desired volume. While most surgeons limit overfilling to no more than 10% beyond the implant’s capacity, tissue expanders offer flexibility for achieving larger sizes, especially if your natural tissue isn’t able to stretch enough to accommodate the full cc volume you want in one procedure. This gradual expansion process helps ensure a more controlled and comfortable outcome when pursuing larger breast implants.

2. Will I Need to Replace my Breast Implants Every 10 Years?

It’s important to note that breast implants, including extra large breast implants in the USA, are not meant to last forever. While many modern implants come with lifetime warranties, saline filled implants or tissue expanders that have been overfilled are more likely to need replacement within 10 years. Overfilling can cause the implant shell to weaken, making it more susceptible to rupture. However, one advantage of saline-filled implants is that you’ll notice a rupture quickly as the saline is absorbed by your body, causing deflation. If you do decide that you want to have smaller breast implants in the future, you are likely to also need a breast lift to achieve a nice breast shape.

3. Are Large Breast Implants More Risky?

With extra large breast implants, especially those overfilled or reaching volumes like 1000cc or 2000cc, there are increased risks of complications that need to be considered:

• Skin Atrophy: Overstretching your skin can cause thinning and, in extreme cases, tearing, leading to implant extrusion.
• Necrosis: Overstretching the skin can increase the risk of tissue death, which may require implant removal.
• Posture and Spine Impact: The weight of larger implants can place significant stress on your spine, leading to posture issues, neck and shoulder pain, and even herniated discs.
• Complications from Overfilling: Overfilled implants may result in more immediate complications such as bleeding, hematomas, or seromas.

Given these risks, it is essential that you choose a highly experienced and qualified plastic surgeon who specialises in overfilling saline breast implants or tissue expanders for extra-large breast augmentation. These surgeries require precise technique and a careful understanding of how your skin will respond to the stretching process.

Reference Section 

In this section, you’ll find a collection of carefully curated references, including medical papers, trusted studies, and authoritative resources, to support the information provided throughout this article. These references are essential for validating the accuracy and reliability of the content, ensuring that the advice and insights shared are grounded in credible scientific research and expert opinions.

• ASPS Do I need to change my breast implants every 10 years? Published: 7 April 2017
• Zhang, Z., Qi, J., Zhang, X. et al. What Can We Learn from Breast Implant Explantation: a 28-Year, Multicenter Retrospective Study of 1004 Explantation Cases. Aesth Plast Surg 47, 1743–1750 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03365-4. Published: 18 May 2023