Is a 380cc Implants over the muscle too big for someone who is currently an A cup?

The cup to cc ratio is not a direct correlation.  An exam both physical and the ability to express ones goals and lifestyle is a must.  Additionally, measurements indicating breast width, nipple to mid chest separation is important.  Finally, in my practice, we have all prospective breast implant patients try on sizers with a black top.  This gives me an idea of the shape and of what the final c cup should appear.Finally, no single size implant will be the only correct implant.  Word of caution though should go out regarding on top of the muscle.  This increases all breast implant complications, this has been shown in the most recent Sientra study in our plastic surgery journal.

Large implants on a small frame with little breast tissue will look unnatural. In additon if there is little soft tissue coverage, then ripling may occur more commonly.

The selection of breast implants for augmentation is a dynamic process that involves your expectations as well as a detailed examination by your surgeon. There are multiple variables that go into account to determine what size would be best for you and keep you happy long-term. Without examining you or seeing pictures of you it's hard to tell you what those implants will look like on your frame. Make sure to see a plastic surgeon who can provide you with enough knowledge and understanding to help you and him or her decide the appropriate sized implant. Thank you

This is the most frequently asked question.The best cosmetic result in any particular breast augmentation patient depends on a variety of factors, including: your individual anatomy, realistic expectations, a thorough discussion with the plastic surgeon about the options, and an understanding of the pros and cons of any particular implant choice. Proper sizing is not just about the number of cc’s. The thickness of your tissue, breast dimensions which include the width, height, and projection, as well as chest wall width all need to be considered when choosing an implant. Trying on implant “sizers” of various shapes and volumes while wearing a tight t-shirt, bra, or bathing sit at a preoperative visit will help you and your surgeon choose the optimal implant.Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California

Thank you for the question.  Despite good intentions, online consultants will not be able to provide you with  meaningful specific advice.  Ultimately, in person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will be necessary. Careful measurements, dimensional planning, and careful communication will be key. I find that in my practice, the vast majority of patients benefit from sub muscular (dual plane) breast augmentation surgery;  this positioning of breast implants tends to provide for the best long-term outcomes.
Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering  breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) 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 which operation and/or 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 "C or D cup" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.  The use of computer imaging may be very helpful during this communication phase.
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, helps.

Sizing of breast
implants is a very individualized
process. Essentially, you need to custom fit the implants to your body.
In order to properly size implants, you need measurements of several key

items. Regardless of what manufacturer of implant your surgeon uses,
they all have what is called dimensional fitting systems. These systems
basically take some measurements of your breast width, height, and
tissue stretch to determine the optimal volume for your particular
tissues. i.e. What can your tissues handle? That is the "science" of
determining the optimal size implant for your tissues. The artistry with
your surgeon comes in taking the ideal size and working with some
judgement to get you as close as possible to your desired outcome. So
someone 5'5" 125 lbs with
3 children vs. someone with no children may have different optimal
volumes due to the differential stretch in their tissues. You can
Google
"High Five Augmentation" to get a quick idea of the process.Generally, I don't recommend over the muscle unless there is a compelling reason. There are too many advantages to going under the muscle. The science says that the rate of capsular contracture is lower
under the muscle compared to over the muscle. For this reason alone, I
recommend to my patients that they go under in over 98% of the cases I
see. In theory, mammograms are easier to perform and read with implants
under the muscle rather than over. However, there are few studies that
have looked at this mammography issue and ones that have looked at this
issue do not demonstrate a clear benefit in breast cancer detection with
implants under compared to over - surprising even me when I read the
data. Finally, when most surgeons use the term "submuscular" or
"under the muscle" these days, what they really mean is bi-planar or
dual plane, where most of the implant is covered by the pectoralis major
muscle, but not all of the implant is covered. The lower portion and
the outer portion of the implant is typically not covered by muscle.
There is a technique that involves complete muscular coverage that
involves maneuvering some muscles on the side of your chest to cover the
outside portion of the implant. This complete muscular coverage offers
no long term benefit over the dual plane, has a couple of drawbacks
compared to the dual plane, and thus is less commonly performed these days.

Thank you for your question.  The proper answer will depend on a physical examination and consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.That said many patients have excellent result with breast implants in the 350-400 cc range.  However this will depend on measurements of your breast with an size and other measurements that will be taken during your evaluation.  For more information on choosing breast implant size please read the following link: