Now AA Cup, Will a 325cc Give Me a FULL B?

First of all, cup sizes are an inaccurate way to communicate because they vary between manufacturers. This is perhaps the hardest decision for me and the patient to make. Therefore, I use wide variety of methods, but the implant size is always established preoperatively. Patients are advised to bring reference photos demonstrating their ideal size and shape. A photo album of hundreds of past patient photos is maintained to assist them. My website has over five thousand patient photos. These photos ultimately help in determining where the implants will be placed, since they can be shifted inside (to provide more cleavage), to the outside, up or superiorly, and down or inferiorly during surgery. In determining the final size selection I always place the highest priority on the preoperative measurements and potential tissue cover. Then, the patient’s verbal requests are factored into the analysis. Cup size estimates can be misleading, as I  mentioned, but I generally advise patients that they will experience an increase of approximately one cup size per 200 cc.

During consultation, patient photos were taken, transferred instantaneously to the computer with photo card, printed, and analyzed. Each patient tries on multiple sizers with a bra, under a thin t-shirt. Most preoperative consultations last about two hours. The profile of the implant - low, medium, or high - is secondary, while the implant diameter vis-à-vis the diameter of the breasts is primary. In this way, I work backward with each of the patients, beginning with an analysis of each patient’s measurements, such that the profile of the implant was determined secondarily after the size was chosen. Approximately 50 cc (1-2 oz.) is added to the final volume to account for flattening of the implant in the partial submuscular pocket. All the best, "Dr. Joe"

Hello! Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size. The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements. Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size. I typically encourage my patients not to communicate her desires in cup size but more on the actual look and appearance. Good communication between you and your surgeon of your expectations is warranted - choosing your surgeon wisely is the first step. Discussion of your wishes and having an honest and open dialog of your procedure is mandatory (e.g, implant type, incision, placement, lift, etc). I have found that photographs brought by the patient is helpful to get a visualization of the appearance you wish for in terms of size, shape, fullness, etc. In addition, your surgeon's pre and postoperative photographs should demonstrate a realistic goal for you. Once this has been accomplished, allow your surgeon to utilize his/her best medical judgment during the procedure to finesse the best possible result for you after preoperative biodimensional planning and fitting the right implant for your breast width. Hope me that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

You know best as you were the one trying on the implants. If you liked the look of 325cc then it is your overall proportion that is important. I don't know if that is going to make you, for example, a 36B or a 34C. A 325 is a 325. Pick the implant size that you like and get professionally measured for bras after the surgery.  I wouldn't get hung up on a specific cup.

Many women ask for a full B or a small C. Well, which is it? It's up to you. If you ask your plastic surgeon for size that is between a B and a C, then it may be difficult for you to find a bra that fits after surgery...B's too small and C's too big.  Plus, different bra manufacturers have different cup sizes and shapes just like shoe companies do. You have to try them on.  Pick the implant you like and get measured for bras after. You can always go back and look at the implants again before surgery.

Communication with your plastic surgeon is key - as your surgeon it is our job to guide you to a safe and aesthetic result based upon your individual anatomy.  Your measurements should give your surgeon a range of implant sizes that would be acceptable for your body.  From here you can work with your surgeon to pick the size you like.  My best suggestion is to buy that "full B" bra that you want to fill and recheck your sizing.  The sizing is very similar to the shape and size you will be after surgery.  Be aware that a B bra varies between manufacturer and by band size ie. 32B vs 36B.

The cup size depends on final breast volume, and bra style.  Implant size should be determined by the dimensions of your chest, your pre-existing glandular volume, compliance of your skin envelope, and final desired breast size.  A 325 cc implant may be wide and flat, or narrow and full.  Just knowing the implant volume is not enough information to determine what your final bra cup size will be.