Going Bigger in a Revision — What Needs Checking First?
Upsizing is more than a bigger implant: skin stretch, pocket enlargement and the long-term load on supporting tissue all have to be examined before a size is chosen.
Wanting more volume the second time around is one of the most common revision requests. The anatomy, however, has changed since the first operation: the pocket is lined with capsule, the skin has already stretched once, and the tissue that must carry the new implant is older.
The checklist behind a size increase
Three measurements dominate the decision. The base width of the chest caps how wide a device can go; skin quality decides how much extra stretch is available; and the weight of a larger implant raises the long-term odds of descent problems such as bottoming out. Because tissue strength differs so much between individuals, the same 100 cc jump is trivial in one patient and risky in another.
Surgically, upsizing means enlarging the pocket in a controlled way and sometimes reinforcing its lower border in advance. Bring your goal size to a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, and expect the discussion to start from measurements rather than cup letters.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.