Is 175cc Too Small to Get a Full C?

Thanks for your question. It's difficult to say without examining you myself. I would say that both sizes mentioned are likely to achieve an improvement for your breast cup.  Perhaps using a volume sizing system (VSS) will help you feel more comfortable deciding from your choices.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns before planning any further.  Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

     If you are a full A cup and you want a full C cup, that is a 2 cup size increase.  You appear to be a small person, but a small individual may need 175 cc to go up one cup size.  For 2 cup sizes, you will probably need more like 350 cc.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Typically 175 cc implants don't lend much volume to the overall result but it depends on visually what you are trying to achieve.  Just the goal of a "C" cup does not qualify the result.  Preop pictures would be helpful in this forum to get a better answer to your question.  If that is not possible then several consults with BC PSs to get a few recommendations.

Dr ES

I consider two factors when selecting implants for my patients:
1.Dimensional planning
2.Gel Implant Sizing system
Dimensional planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. However, there are some limitations of what size we can recommend. For instance, some implants may just be too big for a narrow chest wall. Your surgeon can review this with you during the consultation.
Gel Implant Sizing system – During the preliminary breast implant consultation, you will be provided with an option to “try on” a variety of implant shapes and sizes. You can also visualize the possible outcomes of your surgery which helps you to get that perfect size to give you the shape that you longed for. This way your preferences are known and you can then pick a range of implants that will “fit” just right to give a soft natural fuller look.  If you have decided on saline implants, then based on the gel sizer you select, we can guide you to the saline implant that achieves a similar look.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Basu
Houston, TX

Thank you for the question.  Unfortunately, online consultants are not in a position to provide you with precise enough advice.
The best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery is:



1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully.  Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you're looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.




2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals  with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining  breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural”  or “full C cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.





3.  Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly,  allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.  Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery.


I hope this (and the attached link) help.

From all the data that you have provided it appears that you are right that the 175 or 200cc implant with be too small for your wishes.  In my world you may need about a 400cc implant that is high profile to achieve your goals.  A photo would be helpful but I would discuss your goals at length with your plastic surgeon.  Office sizing is critical to get the size you want. 

We can't give you an absolute answer via this forum, but it's about 150-200 cc per bra cup size but it's less than that if you're relatively shorter and/or narrow chested and you need more than that if you're taller and/or broader shouldered.  Based on what you're saying I think you'll need a bigger implant to achieve what you want but you'll have to discus that with your own PS to make sure she feels your body can take the size you want.

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. E