Breast Implant Size More Likely to Give Full C Cup?

The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size or model (profile) of implant used and resulting cup size.  This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or convex), the type and model of breast implant selected (saline/silicone  and low/moderate/high profile), bra  manufacturer variance  in cup sizes, the  degree  of filling of the cup  with breast tissue,  and the subjective differences in patients perceptions of cup size. 
Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery  depends on several factors:

1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the  preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal.


2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing  long-term  well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone)  or model (low/moderate/high profile)  of implant.

3. The type of implant used may  determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have.  If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants.  If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.
On the other hand, saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference.  Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture.   Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.
Other differences involve how the breast implants are filled. Saline implants are filled after they’re implanted, so saline implants require a smaller incision than prefilled silicone breast implants.
On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical. To date, all other manufacturers’ saline-filled breast implants are considered investigational.
As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery for patients over the age of 22.


4. The size and model of breast implant used may  make a  significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  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 cup” or "fake looking" or "top heavy" 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.
I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the breast implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.
By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is “I wish I was bigger”.

I hope this helps.

Hi,

As most of the other surgeons have indicated, there is no formula that automatically links implant size with bra cup size. A very reasonable thing to try, if you want a ballpark estimate prior to consultation with a plastic surgeon, is to order the Natrelle Pre-Consultation Sizing Kit. Although the kit has some limitations, it comes with 4 sample implants, which will help guide you prior to a fornal consultation.

After you try the kit, you would benefit from evaluation by a board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she can discuss some of the nuances of breast augmentation, including differences in silicone and saline, differences in breast implant profiles, etc.

Hope this helps. Best of luck.

Hi there-
There is, unfortunately, no standard volume implant that can be said to give you a certain cup size after surgery. Even with a good understanding of your height, weight, shoulder dimensions, etc, there is no reliable way to predict the most important variable when it comes to selecting an implant for any particular patient-- the elasticity (or stretchiness, if you will) of the tissues that will overlie the implant.
Think of it this way- if you had an identical twin with an identically shaped body, but who had led a different lifestyle and thus had skin and tissue elasticity that was different than your own, and you both received the exact same implants, the two of you would have a (possibly significantly) different outcome. The elasticity of the tissues is that important.
In my experience, the only good way to measure the interaction of the tissues with the implant is at surgery.
If this is not complicated enough, consider also that a woman's choice of bra is a very arbitrary decision, and will depend on where you like to shop, the manufacturer of the bra (a "C" cup bra at Victoria's Secret may be a different size than a "C" bra at Bloomingdale's), and whether you prefer to wear your bra tightly or loosely. Therefore, what you mean when you say you want a "C" cup may be very different than what another patient means....
So, how can you as a patient help your surgeon be most likely to achieve the outcome you want? Rather than worry about the letter on your bra, or even the number of cc's in the implant, spend some time thinking about WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOOK LIKE.
That's really what this is all about, right? If, after surgery, you have the appearance you wanted and can't pass a mirror without smiling, you're not going to care what letter is on your bra or what number is on your implant, right?
Help your surgeon understand what you would like to look like, and trust that they'll do their best to achieve the look you want for you.
As always, it is important that before you get to this point you've done your homework, and know that your surgeon has been to a good medical school, completed a quality residency training program in Plastic Surgery, is Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, has a lot of experience doing this type of surgery (ask to see photos), is performing the procedure in a facility accredited by the AAAASF, and has a reputable anesthesia provider assisting them in surgery. You'd be amazed how many people assume that their surgeon has these qualifications just because they are advertising that they do this type of surgery, only to find out their "plastic surgeon" was an ER doctor or something.
BE CAREFUL, and be your own best advocate. Once you have a surgeon and situation you think you can trust, concentrate on communication the appearance you want. Your chances of achieving your goals will be greater.