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How Many Cc is Needed for 36 to 38C Breasts?

I'm going to have breast reconstruction due to a double masectomy. Please help me, this is very stressful.

Asked 37 months ago by SANDRA PINEDA
Sort 12 expert answers by:
+3

Your ideal breast size for reconstruction.

A double mastectomy can be very traumatic psychologically but with modern techniques the end result can be very attractive and satisfying. Because you are asking about cc's I presume that you are going to be getting implants. Most commonly implants are placed after expanders are placed and then a gradual expansion of the tissue is accomplished over several months. As the expanders are being filled you will see a gradual increase in breast size At some point you may identify that... more
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3

Talk to your plastic surgeon about your goals.

It is very normal to be stressed with all you are going through. When I talk to a patient about reconstruction I first try and determine the patients goals as to size. My experience is that most women want to get back to the size they were before the surgery but this is not always the case - some want to be bigger and some smaller. The ultimate choice of implant size is based on the size of the womans rib cage - a bigger chest diameter say 38 or 40 would require a bigger implant to... more
Susan E. Downey, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3

Breast cup size

After a mastectomy, the chest wil require larger implants than normally used in primary breast augmentation. The back size( 36 or 38) will stay the same. The best way to figure out what works best for you is to see how they look when filling up the tissue expanders. When the volume you like is reached, let the doctor know and then he/she can size up the implants after the pockets are overstretched. Steven Wallach, MD
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

I Agree, No Exact answer.

The number (36,38, etc.) refers to the circumfrence around the chest in inches. The letter refers to the actual cup size an is not directly & exactly related to the chest circumfrence. Really, this means that a woman with a large chest (say 42" can have small breasts, while a woman with a small chest (say 32") can be busty for her size. I assume that you will be getting implants to make up for the volume deficit. Likely, you will need expanders, and the process will take many... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implant size is always an issue - Make sure everyone is on the same page

Nothing in breast augmentation stirs up as much anxiety as size. I believe that several factors need to be considered. 1. Dissatisfaction with breast size is the number one cause for re-operation in breast augmentation. 2. Do not go into breast augmentation seeking a specific breast size and cup size, this will surely lead to some degree of dissatisfaction with your final result. It is more important to gather together photographs of your likes and dislikes when it comes to breast size,... more
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

How do you determine breast size?

I have spent alot to time answering this question and it is extremely common but there is no easy answer and it really depends on several factors but primarily your body and the bra design. The size of the implant is the last and most important determinant YOUR BODY Your amount of breast tissue, your weight , thickness of subcutaneous tissue, chest circumference, etc BRA DESIGN This actually prompted me to research the project and eventually design a product for which I recieved a US patent... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Depends on the amount skin and also kind of mastectomy

For the breast reconstruction the main goal is to have a viable skin envelop, and this limits the size. There is no direct answer to the size question, since there is no standard cup size and it varies from brand to brand. Discuss you wish with your surgeon and let him decide the size that will give the best result.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing Breast Implants for Breast Reconstruction

Choosing Breast Implants for Breast reconstruction is a very patient specific task.. A thorough discussion of the size and shape desired is one consideration, another is the patients chest size, as well as what tissues might be left after the mastectomy.   Often there is insufficient tissue to place a breast implant immediately and so your options for breast implant size will be greatly dependent upon how much the mastectomy flaps can be expanded ad whether any additional tissue... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sizing in breast reconstruction is very individual

Hello, Sizing particularly in breast reconstruction is very individual. Review this with your surgeon to get your options explained and help figure your best approach.
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is NOT about the CC's!

Your body dimensions and the size you wish to be will assist your surgeon in determining the appropriate implant for you. Cup sizes are not standard and only serve as guidelines to the magnitude of the size change you are looking for. The dimensional approach which measures your breast dimenisons, skin thickness and elasticity are used to determine the right dimensions of an implant. The volume (cc's) is dictated by the dimensions of the device used.
Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

No exact answer to this

You should not get stressed about exact cup or bra size since these are not strictly uniform from manufacturer to manufacturer. Rather, you should be sure your implant has a base diameter that fits your chest wall diameter well and this will give a nice result for your body. Make sure you work with a plastic surgeon who does a large amount of breast reconstruction and that you like the photos of his or her work. Then trust them to take great care of you.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants come in many shapes and sizes

Sandra, Breast implants come in many shapes and sizes. For a given implant volume, the projection can be normal, moderate or high. It all depends on the shape of the shell and design of the implant. So, you need to look at more than just cc when deciding on an implant. The considerations you need to include are your breast base diameter, remaining tissue & desired final size. If you have already had the mastectomy, then you may also need an breast expander placed first to help... more
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
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