Which implant size would help me achieve a natural looking D cup? (photos)

Patients often think in terms of cup size when considering augmentation. Unfortunately, devices are sized in terms of milliliters (cc) of volume. This can lead to some confusion when sizing. Additionally, it is important to remember that cup size itself is not standardized with variations from one manufacturer to another. Unfortunately, as many women can attest their cup size in an industry leader such as VS is not necessarily transferable to another brand.
Another point which is often under appreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume which is already present. The implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients (often times it will not even confer the same cup size to different breasts in the same individual...remember they are "sisters" not "twins").
A general rule of thumb is that 125cc can represent somewhere between 1/2 to a full cup size increase. Smaller volume differentials (25-50cc) are typically less consequential representing a volume change of less than a shot glass. However, I have found these numbers, at least anecdotally, to be of little help. Patients often present with notions/goals which do not correlate with these sorts of sterile volumetric assessments.
When sizing patients, there are a number of useful tools including:
-3D imaging (has the added benefit of offering a volumetric analysis of the pre-operative breast)
-Breast sizers (rice bags)
-Goal photos
I also recommend that patients commit to a particular look rather than a cup size. Once a patient settles on a look that pleases them the overall cup size increase becomes less relevant.
Based upon your photos, your choices do not seem unreasonable. However, it is important to remember "natural" doesn't necessarily always coincide with a stated size goals. A smaller implant will deliver a more natural result on a petite patient. Yet this may fall short of a larger size goal. Small girls naturally have smaller breasts.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Hello, my name is Dr. Burko and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in New York City. Breast implant selection is a highly individualized process based on each patient's breast/chest wall anatomy. I do not find that cup size is the best measure for desired outcome as bras from different manufacturers differ in size/appearance. I find it helpful to bring in multiple photographs of your desired aesthetic outcome. My recommendation is for you to speak to your plastic surgeon and express your questions/concerns so that they can give your their best recommendation.

Without knowing your height, weight etc, it would be difficult to say if a 240cc implant will get you to a "D" cup. We use a pre-op sizing process that helps patients visualize what they may look like after surgery. This allows to like what they see rather than focus on a cup size.
Best wishes.
Dr. Gervais

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

If you have already had a consultation and you are asking questions like 'what size implant will achieve a given bra size', then you either have not absorbed the concepts your surgeon presented to you or your surgeon wasn't doing his job. Bra cup sizes don't measure breast volume and are completely unrelated to implant sizes. There are only two validated ways to select the proper implant: 1. Simulation software photography, or 2. in-office sizers. Either way, you are selecting an implant size based on how you look on a computer screen (simulation software) or in a mirror (in-office sizing). Either go back to your surgeon to have this done or go to another surgeon. Allowing your surgeon to guess an implant size based on a desired cup size is putting you at risk for wrong size surgery, which is a common complication that leads to re-operation for no other reason than poor planning.

Thank you for the question. To appropriately answer the question more information is needed. Implant size is based on measurements of your breast and an assessment of your tissue qualities, which requires a physical examination. Unfortunately, implant sizes are not a one size fits all, but the correct implant has to be chosen specifically for you based on your wants and needs. I'd recommend having a thorough discussion with your surgeon about the range of implant sizes that might be compatible with your body while helping to achieve your goals.

Since your surgery is soon, hopefully, you have tried on sizes and discussed them with your surgeon. The size selected should give you an additional cup and half of volume. I think it will look good on you.

Further discussion of your goals and an examination is needed to give you a correct recommendation. The implant you are considering should give you a conservative increase in size, resulting in a natural look. I encourage you to return to your surgeon to further discuss implant selection. Many have sample implants you can "try on" to help you get an idea of how you may look after surgery. I've included a video on implant selection that I hope you find helpful.

Choosing the correct implants is a major part of the decision involved with high-quality breast augmentation outcomes. Different plastic surgeons will have different ways of determining what implants to use. I’ve heard of many different approaches to this, but my preferred approach is to have patients show me before, and after pictures of patients with similar body characteristics to the round to get an idea of what you’re hoping to achieve. Are usually send patients to various websites, including breast augmentation dot com. On that website, you can put in your height and weight and choice of procedures and see lots of before and after pictures. The website also includes the actual implants used which can be very helpful for patients to get an idea of what each implant can do on other patients who have similar characteristics.
I generally use temporary scissors during surgery to determine what’s the ideal size implants to achieve the desired look. Are usually have a choice of implants to use once I determine the correct volume using scissors. Your breasts are slightly divergent, and this will be emphasized by Augmentin your breast. Considering the divergence and the distance between your breasts I suggest going with a lower profile implant that has a wider diameter. I typically measure the diameter of the breast, then choose the appropriate profile based on the volume needed to get the augmentation desired by each patient in other words if a patient has a wide diameter breast, I would use a lower profile implant, then somebody who has a smaller diameter breast, desiring the same volume.
Patient should be comfortable with the decision making and if need be, you should have another visit with your plastic surgeon before the date of surgery to confirm. The choice of implants is correct.
I recognize that your operation is already scheduled. The time to be critical of plastic surgeons is before you have surgery. I generally recommended patients have multiple in person consultations before having surgery. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients, who had similar body characteristics to your own. Ideally for breast augmentation that should include reviewing what size implants previous patients had, and what appearance that created. An experience plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
I generally recommend patients continue having consultations until they feel very comfortable having found the right provider. This may be the case with you, but the fact that you’re questioning what size implants leads me to think that a follow up visit wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD