Breast augmentation has held the top spot as one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. for years—and with good reason. Done well, it can:
• Restore volume after pregnancy or weight loss
• Balance hip-to-bust proportions
• Create the feminine shape a patient has always envisioned

But there’s one part of the process that almost everyone worries about:

“How do I pick the right implant size?”

The truth? There is no “right” size—there’s only the size that’s right for you. And that decision is more nuanced (and more empowering) than just picking a cup size.

Implant Size 101: It’s Not About Cup Size

Most patients come in thinking in terms of bra sizes—but plastic surgeons don’t work in cups, they work in cc’s (cubic centimeters) and measurements.

Two key concepts guide safe, beautiful implant selection:

🔹 Base Width

This is how wide the implant is at its base.
• It must match your chest and breast width
• Too wide = implants spilling to the side
• Too narrow = overly “ball-like” look and poor cleavage

🔹 Projection

Projection is how far the implant comes forward off the chest wall.
• Higher projection: rounder, fuller, more dramatic upper pole
• Moderate projection: softer, more natural slope

By playing with width + projection, Dr. Burns can create looks that range from:
• Very natural and subtle
• To full, glamorous, and high-profile

All while staying within what your anatomy can safely and beautifully support.

Why the Old “Try-On Bra” Method Misses the Mark

You’ve probably seen (or even done) this:

➡️ Put sizers or implants in a sports bra, look in the mirror, and guess the size.

It feels helpful, but it’s actually misleading for a few reasons:
• The bra adds extra volume (often 50cc or more)
• There’s dead space in the bra that won’t exist once tissue is snug around the implant
• It doesn’t replicate how implants sit under muscle, fascia, or tissue

End result:
Patients often chose implants that looked much larger in real life than they did in the bra.

Modern breast augmentation—especially at the level Dr. Burns practices—requires something more accurate, consistent, and scientific.

Instead of guesswork, Dr. John Burns uses Crisalix 3D imaging, an advanced simulation platform that lets you preview how different implant sizes and shapes could look on your body.

What Crisalix 3D Can Do for You:
• Create a 3D model of your own torso
• Show multiple implant sizes and profiles side-by-side
• Compare things like:
   • 295cc vs 325cc vs 345cc
   • Moderate vs high projection
   • Different implant shapes and brands

It can also factor in:
• Pocket type (subfascial, dual-plane, etc.)
• Implant profile
• Your anatomy and tissue characteristics

And the best part?
Crisalix planning can be done in-office or virtually, which is ideal for out-of-town or busy patients.

This turns your consultation into an interactive design session, not a guessing game.

What a Sizing Consultation with Dr. Burns Really Looks Like

Rather than walking in, being handed a few implants, and told to “pick one,” you can expect a structured, collaborative process:

1. Conversation First
• What do you like about your current shape?
• What don’t you like?
• Do you want “noticeable but natural” or “fuller and more dramatic”?
• What kind of clothing, lifestyle, and activities do you have?

2. Goal Photos & Aesthetic Alignment
• You can bring “wish pics” or examples of results you love.
• Dr. Burns will tell you honestly which looks are realistic for your anatomy.

3. Measurements & Exam
• Chest width, tissue thickness, skin elasticity, nipple position—all of this sets the safe and attractive size range.

4. Crisalix 3D Simulation
• Together, you’ll preview a range of sizes and profiles.
• You’ll see yourself from multiple angles and compare versions.

5. Final Choice—Made Together
• With all that information, you decide on a size that feels right.
• Dr. Burns then fine-tunes within a narrow range in the OR to match symmetry and proportions.

The result?
You’re not “sold” a size—you co-create it.

With more options than ever—implant types, techniques, and technologies—experience matters.

Dr. John L. Burns, MD brings:
• Board Certification in Plastic Surgery
• 25+ years of experience in breast augmentation and body contouring
• Recognition as one of Newsweek’s Top Plastic Surgeons in the U.S.
• Multiple years as a D Magazine Top Plastic Surgeon
• Honoree in Texas Monthly SuperDoctors
• Medical Director of a state-of-the-art AAAASF-accredited surgery center
• A leadership role in modern implant technologies, including:
   • Motiva® implants
   • PRESERVE™ and preservation-based breast surgery
   • Subfascial and advanced dual-plane techniques

He has performed thousands of breast augmentations, with a focus on:
• Natural-looking shape
• Long-term stability
• Proportionate, balanced results
• High patient satisfaction years down the line