Breast Implants - 400cc Too Big for Small D?

Dear Miami4877,It appears that you are very early in the post op period.  Please, keep in mind that there is swelling that needs to subside and the implants will drop over the next 3-4 months to give you a smaller more natural breasts and look. 400cc implants look different in different people. Considering that you started off a 32C, it is likely very difficult to impossible to keep you a C cup or even a small D. Based on your examination there is a certain volume which best fits your body. Given that you are 5'2" and 105, 400ccs seems a bit large, but I can not tell you for sure as pre-op measurements, photos and exam are all essential in determining the range of implants that would have best fit you. Cup size is a ratio of breast volume to chest circumference it is tough to estimate exact post-operative bra sizes. Another confounding factor is that there is no standardization of this ratio by bra manufacturers.However, a loose rule of thumb is that it takes about 150-200cc to make a change in cup size in a 34 circumference chest. Therefore if you are already a 34C, adding 400 will likely increase you a bit more than 2 cup sizes, likely (but not for sure) making you a DD or even more depending of how full of an C you were to begin with. If you buy 36 size bras you will find that the cup size would be smaller, so you may be 36C or D. Keep in mind, this is a very rough estimate and the goal should be the look and not a bra size. My best advise is that you discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon candidly. Best wishes. 

Thank you for your question, and your photo.  It looks like you have a good result so far.  Cup size can be a funny thing.  It's mostly based on projection.  It can also depend on how much breast tissue you had to begin with.  Figuring out the cc's is often based on your base width, (how wide your breast is).  Some Plastic Surgeons will uses sizers at time of surgery, but we are all different.  There used to be standardization, but that went away.  It can depend on what style of bra you wear.  You are early in your post operative course.  They usually will get to their final position in 6 to 12 months.  One will usually drop faster than the other, and the shape may go through various changes.  Please follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's post op instructions. For example; we like message, but some surgeons will have you wait, or do it in a specific manner. Please let them know your thoughts and concerns.  
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLas Vegas Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question. You are still very early in the recovery process and final cup size will not be able to be determined until approximately 2 months out. It is very difficult to determine cup size at this time as this will differ from patient to patient and between bra manufacturers. 400cc could look very different on a taller or wider patient than it does on you. If your current breast size was truly a C, it would be very difficult to keep you at a full C after breast augmentation. Allow yourself time to heal and for the swelling to subside. Keep in contact with your surgeon and express your concerns. Best of luck!

There is absolutely no scientific or reliable relationship between implant size and Cup size. The goal with Breast Enlargement  is to achieve as close possible the look the patient desires. Then, and only then can you bra shop. There is no bra company that consults Plastic Surgeons to correlate implant size to bra cup size. It is futile. 

Your breast implants will take about three months to fully settle at which time you will have a better idea of your bra cup size. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon in the future if you are considering changing the implant size, but for now, I wouldn't worry too much since it's so recent.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Every 400 cc implant is not the same. Implants with the same volume but wider and less projection will make a wide chested breast smaller than one with a higher projection on a narrower breast. Implant volume is not an indicatior of breast size alone. 
Your chest and breast measurements in combination with your demands and expectations enable a proper choice of implant for your breast size desire. It is literally impossible to say what a 400 cc implant would look on you without your measurements. And do keep in mind that your breasts will reduce in size by 10-20% in 6 months while the implants "fall in" and your breasts will look different. Be patient.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

It really is difficult to say and difficult to compare yourself with others.  There are so many factors that come into play so can't really say.  But what I can say is that you are very early in the postoperative period and with time and patience things will change and you may be surprised later.The implants are high right now as well as there is some swelling there as well.  Things will change more so in about 4 months.  The implants will settle and the skin will soften and the swelling will decrease.  It will not be until then that your bra size will ultimately be determined.My advice would be to be patient for now and reevaluate things when you are four months out.Hope that helps.

Congratulations on your surgery! During my consultations for women considering breast augmentation, I don't focus too much on cup size. Cup sizes vary between bra manufacturers and are not standardized. Instead I focus on reaching a goal look. This includes helping each woman select a specific implant that helps her improve the proportions of their body and gives them a look that they desire. If your surgeon helps you get the look that you want, then you will find out your cup size during a bra fitting after the surgery. It's a rough guide, but I also help my patients try to estimate their cup size by informing them that every 150-200 cc's of implant volume is probably about 1 cup. Congratulations again!

It is still quite early in your recovery. Your #healing will continue for 2-3 months for the early period. This includes some #swelling, bruising, malposition, color differences. It is certainly feasible to #downsize to smaller implants and also alter the positioning; if possible. However, decreasing is size may also require a Breast #Lift to #tighten loose skin, better optimize the end result. Any #revision has risks of unhappy outcome or other complications. Also, the right implant for the revision is contingent on shape of body and your desired outcome. Typically, it's best to wait 6  to 12 months depending on the reason for #revision.  Matters such as sagging or drooping  and size change will not improve with time. As with all cosmetic surgery, results will be rewarding if expectations are realistic.

You still have dressings and a "shiny" look which suggests that you are still very early. It takes at least 2 months for settling or "Dropping and Fluffing" to use a popular internet term amongst women in the BA community.At 5'2" and 105 lbs you are quite petite and especially if you were already a C to start, you may well end up in the very full D or DD range. As to your ultimate satisfaction with your result, it would be best to give it more time.   

The lettered cup system is not exact and varies among bra brands.  To achieve your goal breast size, the surgeon must gauge your starting size, the amount of breast tissue present, the amount of anticipated breast expansion, your breast dimensions, and your specific goals to name some.  During the preoperative evaluation, you and the surgeon go over different size implants and determine what is the best approximate size for you.  Different size implants are available during the operation and the one chosen is based on intraoperative sizing.  Temporary sizers are placed and filled to different volumes to see what is the best size. Once this is determined, the temporary sizer is removed and the permanent implant is placed.  So, choosing the correct implant is part science, part art, and part experience.