In two published studies, approximately one-quarter of women surveyed after breast augmentation said they would have preferred a different breast size.
Findings from Brown (2021) and Swanson (2020). These are study-specific results, not an estimate for all women undergoing breast augmentation.
Choosing a breast implant size is one of the most personal decisions involved in breast augmentation. Many women wonder whether their results will look too large, too small, or different from what they imagined.
Research suggests that even when women are generally satisfied with breast augmentation, some would have preferred a different size. Here is what the published evidence actually says, what it does not say, and how you can explore your preferences before surgery.
What percentage of women would choose a different breast implant size?
Two studies reported remarkably similar findings: approximately 24% and 27% of respondents, respectively, would have preferred a different size. Both studies also found that wishing for a larger result was more common than wishing for a smaller one.
341 women surveyed after breast augmentation
Researcher Tim Brown examined women who underwent primary subfascial breast augmentation. Size preferences were assessed three months after surgery.
Of the 341 women, 57 would have preferred a larger size and 25 a smaller size. Together, that is 82 women, or approximately 24%.
Limitations: This was a single-surgeon study using a specific surgical technique and implant selection. Results were measured at three months and should not be generalized to all patients.
171 women completed postoperative surveys
Plastic surgeon Eric Swanson conducted a prospective study comparing saline and silicone gel implants. The study included 223 women undergoing primary augmentation, of whom 171 completed outcome surveys.
In this group, approximately 26.9% of respondents would have preferred a different size. The average survey follow-up was approximately six months.
Limitations: This was also a single-surgeon study, and not every participant completed the survey. It evaluated specific implant types and surgical techniques.
Does preferring a different size mean regretting surgery?
No. These are different outcomes. A woman may be happy that she had breast augmentation while still wishing she had chosen slightly larger or smaller implants.
Size preference: Someone reports that another breast size would have been preferable.
Surgical regret: Someone regrets undergoing the procedure or is dissatisfied with the decision itself.
Revision surgery: Someone actually undergoes an additional operation. Revision may occur for many reasons, including complications unrelated to size.
The Brown and Swanson figures measure reported size preferences. They do not establish that one-quarter of women regret breast augmentation or eventually undergo another operation.
How often is implant size a reason for another operation?
A separate long-term Mentor MemoryGel post-approval study examined reasons for reoperation. In the primary augmentation reoperation group, patient-requested size changes accounted for 334 of 1,748 recorded reoperations, or 19.1%.
This does not mean 19.1% of all women underwent size-change surgery. The denominator is recorded reoperations, not all augmentation patients. In this analysis, operations on both breasts were counted separately.
This evidence shows that implant size can be a meaningful consideration in revision surgery, but it should not be confused with the satisfaction-survey findings above.
Read the Mentor MemoryGel post-approval study
Why is choosing a breast implant size difficult?
Implant volume is usually expressed in cubic centimeters (cc), but the same volume does not necessarily create the same appearance on every body. Existing breast tissue, chest dimensions, implant profile, placement, and other surgical factors all influence the final result.
Cup sizes can also be misleading because bra sizing varies among manufacturers. A specific implant volume does not guarantee a particular final cup size.
This is why it can help to think about your preferences in terms of appearance, proportions, clothing, and everyday comfort, rather than relying on a single number.
How can you explore breast implant sizes before surgery?
Your board-certified plastic surgeon should evaluate your anatomy, discuss your goals, and explain which implant dimensions and surgical options may be appropriate.
Some women also find it useful to compare different external sizer volumes in clothing. Trying more than one volume may help clarify personal preferences and make conversations with a surgeon more specific.
Oumènta offers wearable breast implant sizers designed for at-home comparison. Its 3-size kit lets you experience three different external volumes with a pocket bra before discussing your preferences with your surgeon.
What size feels right to you?
Before making your decision, explore different sizes and develop a clearer picture of your personal preferences.
Oumènta products are apparel-based visualization aids, not medical devices. They do not replace professional medical advice.
Published research and references
- Brown T. (2021). Observations Concerning the Match between Breast Implant Dimensions, Breast Morphometry, and a Patient-reported Outcome. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. Read full study .
- Swanson E. (2020). Prospective Study of Saline versus Silicone Gel Implants for Subpectoral Breast Augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. Read full study .
- Results from the MemoryGel Post-approval Study. (2021). Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. Read full study .
This page summarizes selected published findings for educational purposes. Study populations, methods, and follow-up periods differ. It is not medical advice, and the results should not be interpreted as a prediction of any individual's surgical outcome.