Choosing the Right Breast Implants for a Petite Frame

Posted June 16, 2025 in Breast Implants

Are you a petite woman who wants to enhance your curves with breast augmentation but wonders what will actually look and feel right for your body? If your goal is to achieve a natural look while maintaining balance and proportion, understanding your unique body type and the myriad of breast implant options available is essential to making the right decision. In this blog, we’ll explore what petite-framed women should keep in mind when considering breast augmentation.

5 Min Read:

Table of Contents

• When Choosing Breast Implants, Know Your Frame and Body Type
• Factors to Consider When Choosing Breast Implants
  • Implant Type
  • Implant Volume
  • Implant Diameter
  • Implant Projection
  • Implant Profile
  • Implant Placement
• Careaga Plastic Surgery For Breast Augmentation
• Learn More About Breast Implants in Coral Gables

When Choosing Breast Implants, Know Your Frame and Body Type 

Petite women usually have a smaller bone structure, characterized by narrower shoulders and, in most cases, a shorter torso, which can influence how an implant will look on your body. Unlike someone with a broader chest or taller frame, petite women may not have as much natural breast tissue or space for larger implants. This makes choosing the right implant size and shape especially important.

A too-large implant can cause issues like back or shoulder pain, skin that is stretched too thin, or an unbalanced appearance. On the other hand, selecting implants that complement your natural build can create a beautiful, natural-looking silhouette.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Breast Implants

Choosing the right breast implants involves more than just picking a size. Below are some of the factors petite women should consider when selecting breast implants:

Implant Type

At Carega Plastic Surgery, we offer three types of implants: saline, silicone, and gummy bear. 

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water after placement and can be adjusted during surgery to achieve the desired volume. Saline implants are typically best for women who have more natural breast tissue.

Silicone implants, like Motiva® implants, are filled with a thick silicone gel that tends to feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants. Petite women often prefer silicone implants because they offer a soft, natural look and feel, even if body fat and breast tissue are minimal. You may also choose gummy bear implants, which are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel and are form-stable. 

Implant Volume

Implant volume is measured in cubic centimeters (cc). Petite women typically benefit from implants in the range of 200cc to 300cc, but the right volume varies according to your desired results.

Choosing a high-volume implant with the goal of achieving a specific cup size can lead to implants that are too wide for your chest, resulting in an unnatural look. It’s important to keep in mind that even a slight increase in volume can create a noticeable difference on a smaller frame.

Implant Diameter

Implant diameter refers to the width of the breast implant’s base. For petite women, this measurement is crucial.

An implant that is too wide may extend beyond the natural borders of your breast and into your armpit or cleavage area, creating a distorted or bulky appearance. A narrower implant diameter ensures the implant fits comfortably and naturally within the natural contours of your chest.

Implant Projection

Projection refers to the distance the implant extends outward from your chest wall. Petite women often benefit from moderate projection implants, which offer noticeable enhancement without looking too prominent. The goal is to achieve a natural-looking silhouette that enhances your curves without looking artificial.

Implant Profile

Implant profile refers to how much the implant protrudes relative to the width of its base. Profile, projection, and diameter go hand-in-hand when it comes to shaping your final look.

• Low profile implants have a broad base and subtle projection.
• Moderate profile implants offer an ideal balance of width and projection, making them a good choice for most petite frames.
• High profile implants offer more forward projection and a narrower base, which may be a good choice for women with a narrow chest. 

Implant Placement

Implants can be placed over the chest muscle (subglandular) or under the chest muscle (submuscular). Submuscular placement is typically recommended for petite women who have less existing breast tissue, as it looks more natural and reduces the risk of visible implant edges or rippling. Subglandular placement may be an option if you have enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant. Each placement option has its pros and cons, but submuscular placement is generally considered the better option for patients with a slim build and less body fat.

Careaga Plastic Surgery For Breast Augmentation 

When it comes to breast augmentation, the most important thing to remember is that customization is key. At Careaga Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Careaga and Dr. William understand that the size, shape, and type of implant must work in harmony with your natural anatomy to achieve the best aesthetic result, and they tailor your procedure to reflect that. 

When you come in for your breast augmentation consultation, we will listen to your goals, examine you, take measurements of your chest width and rib cage, and assess your skin elasticity to determine whether Motiva® or another implant option will best complement your frame. 

Learn More About Breast Implants in Coral Gables

If you’re a petite woman considering breast augmentation, working with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who understands how to tailor implant choices to a smaller frame can make all the difference. 

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call Careaga Plastic Surgery today at (305) 929-0445 or complete the online contact form.