Which implant size truly suits me?

It is completely normal to feel unsure about this. After all, you want to get it right the first time. You do not want to look back and think: I wish I had chosen slightly larger — or instead, I wish I had been a little more conservative.

That is why proper information and careful preparation are essential. At Gooimeer Clinics, we guide you step by step through this process, so you can make a choice that suits your body, your wishes, and a result that remains beautiful for years to come.

So many implants, so many opinions

There are countless types of breast implants: different brands, shapes, projections, surfaces, and volumes. Every plastic surgeon also develops personal preferences over the years, based on experience, training, and aesthetic judgment.

That can make things quite confusing for you as a patient. In this article, I explain how we at Gooimeer Clinics approach implant selection, which principles we follow, and why.

It is not an absolute truth — in plastic surgery, there are multiple ways to achieve a beautiful result — but it does offer a clear framework to help you enter your consultation well prepared.

Step 1 — What are we actually trying to achieve?

Before saying anything meaningful about implant size, one thing must first be clear: What is the goal?

Every woman is different. Not only in terms of wishes, but especially in terms of anatomy:

• How wide is your rib cage?

• How much natural breast tissue is present?

• How do the breasts sit naturally?

• Is there a cleavage gap (are the breasts naturally positioned far apart)?

Zonder een duidelijk doel blijft maatkeuze giswerk. Met een helder doel kunnen we gericht plannen.

Step 2 — The cleavage as the guiding principle

At Gooimeer Clinics, we follow one important principle: The cleavage is the primary success factor

This is the part that is visible in clothing: a top, dress, or bikini. Of course, the entire breast should have a beautiful shape — but an elegant cleavage largely determines how the final result is experienced.

You can have individually beautiful breasts, but if they sit too far apart, the overall appearance may feel less harmonious. That is why we devote a great deal of attention to techniques that allow the breasts to be positioned closer together whenever the anatomy makes this possible.

This is not always simple. The rib cage is the foundation we build on. Sometimes this requires specific surgical techniques — you can read more about that on our separate information page about correcting a wide breast gap.

In this article, we focus on the role of the implant within that overall picture.

Stap 3 — It’s all about the base

Many women mainly think in cc’s.

Statements such as:

“My friend has 350 cc and I like that, so I want at least that much.”

But the same volume can look completely different on different women.

The key is not primarily volume — but the width of the breast base.

As an aesthetic guideline:

• Each breast fills approximately its own half of the rib cage

• With about one finger-width of space between the breasts

Whether the breast then appears smaller or fuller is determined by projection: how far the breast projects forward.

Stap 4 — Breedte eerst, projectie daarna

During the consultation, we first measure your breast base. That determines which implant width fits best.

Then we choose the desired projection:

• Mini (low profile) — wide, flatter implants

• Demi (moderate profile) — slightly more fullness

• Full (high profile) — more pronounced projection

• Corse (extra high profile) — very narrow, strongly projecting shape

Once the width has been established, only a few logical projection options remain. The volume then follows naturally.

A simple example: Your hand has a volume of about 230 cc — whether you hold it flat or clench it into a fist. The volume stays the same, the shape changes. That is how implants work as well.

Stap 5 — Waarom wij meestal kleiner adviseren

Every extra cc also means an extra gram of weight.

Heavier implants place more strain on the tissue and increase the chance of sagging over time.

Our philosophy is: Achieve the desired result with the smallest implant possible.

This provides:

• Less strain on the tissue

• Longer-lasting results

• Less chance of future corrective surgery

For primary breast augmentations, we usually choose Mini or Demi. Full is sometimes used in revision procedures. Corse is used only rarely.

Stap 6 — De rol van de Preservé (tissue preservation) techniek

With our Preservé method, we create the implant pocket using a balloon instead of cutting. As a result:

• More of your natural tissue remains intact

• The implant is positioned slightly higher

• Natural coverage around the implant is preserved

This means that we can often achieve a full upper pole and beautiful cleavage with a smaller and lighter implant.

(Here you can optionally place a diagram of the Preservé technique)

Lighter implant → stays higher for longer → more durable result.

If needed, we can complement the transition in the cleavage area with lipofilling for extra softness.

Stap 7 — Rond of anatomisch?

Many women believe that an anatomical (teardrop-shaped) implant automatically looks more natural. That is a logical assumption — but in practice, we have not used these for years.

Reasons:

• Risk of implant rotation

• Textured surface → stronger tissue reaction

• Form-stable → feels firmer

A modern, ultra-soft round implant naturally takes on a teardrop shape through gravity — while feeling softer and never being able to rotate.

And with a push-up bra, you can temporarily create more upper-pole fullness whenever you want.

Stap 8 — Voor of achter de spier?

In the past, placing implants under the muscle was often standard.

But this has disadvantages:

• Animation deformity (movement when the chest muscle contracts)

• Longer recovery time

• Higher chance of bleeding complications

With modern soft implants and the Preservé technique, we can in most cases safely place implants in front of the muscle, with:

• Faster recovery

• Natural movement

• Beautiful coverage

Tot slot — Samengevat

The right implant choice does not begin with cc’s, but with:

1. Assessing your anatomy

2. Determining the ideal breast base

3. Choosing the appropriate projection

4. Using the lightest implant possible for a long-lasting result

5. Modern soft round implants

6. A tissue preservation technique for natural coverage

This creates a breast that:

• Fits your body

• Provides a beautiful cleavage

• Feels natural

• Remains beautiful for a long time

Would you like personal advice?

During a consultation, we take the time to:

• Analyze your anatomy

• Try different sizes

• Translate your wishes into a realistic plan

So that you can make your decision with confidence.