How Many CCs to Achieve a Size D?

Question

I am 26 have breastfed 2 kids, 5'6", 135lbs, 34B, width of each boob is 7",sternal notch to nipple rt. side 20", left side 20.25". I want to get a nice, more so natural look, no big rounded balls on my chest:) Basically I'd like to know what size is biggest I can do to achieve my goal of not looking fake but still having a nice size. I'd like to go up 2 sizes. The one PA I went to said 350 filled to 375 for big C/small D or 375 filled to 425 for nice D. But I'd like others opinions.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size of implant 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 (saiine/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. 

	It will be very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  In my practice, the use of photographs of &ldquo;goal&rdquo; pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as &ldquo;natural&rdquo; or &ldquo;C cup&rdquo; or "fake looking" 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 press 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 &ldquo;I wish I was bigger&rdquo;.

	 I hope this helps.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Rule of thumb estimations do not always work out the way you may wish. It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate; a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 350 cc implant to make her go from a “B” cup to a “D” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size, is dependent on the pressure the bra places plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want to be” photos however are useful if simply provided to the surgeon as I will further explain in the link below.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

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.  Your options would certainly be breast augmentation with implants or fat grafting. 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. sizers may also help assist you with size. 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!

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for the photos and measurements. As the other plastic surgeons already stated, a cup size is between 150-250cc depending on your height and breast base measurement as the main parameters. From a 34B to a 34D you need to go up two sizes (300-500cc). To pick a size that fits you best, you need to go in for a consultation with a plastic surgeon or go back to the one you saw and discuss sizes. In my office we use sizers during the consultation to give the patients an idea what they can expect. Also, if you are not sure between two sizes, pick the larger one (still within your measurements). No one came back to request smaller implants, but at times they wished they picked a larger size.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Fortunately, you sent photographs and height/weight information (thank you!) which helps me make some accurate recommendations.

	First, your nipples are above crease level, so you do not need any kind of breast lift, particularly as you are seeking a size that will adequately fill your breast volume and existing skin "brassiere." However, I would not recommend saline implants, as they can not only feel less natural and show rippling in some positions, but they can also deflate and require re-operation for implant replacement. I recommend the latest generation of cohesive silicone gel implants, which cannot deflate, leak, or rupture, feel much more natural and homogeneous with your own breast tissue, and are only slightly more expensive.

	For a woman of your height, I believe you will require closer to 500cc implants to go up two cup sizes. In this range I believe that 250cc is roughly equal to one cup size. (If 150cc = 1 cup size, 450cc = 3 cup sizes, and a woman with no breast tissue of her own with 450cc per side will NOT be  D-cup.) See the link below for an example in one of my own patients. The implant profile will depend on the final volume choice after discussion with the patient (you), and the measurement of your breast base. The volume recommendations you have already received are not off by much, I just think they might be a bit small for the final result you are asking for.

How Many CCs to Achieve a Size D?

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How Many CCs to Achieve a Size D?

Answers (10)

Answer: How large a breast implant to achieve a "D" cup?

Answer: How large a breast implant to achieve a "D" cup?

Answer: How many cc to achieve D-cup depends on what you start with!

Answer: How many cc to achieve D-cup depends on what you start with!

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.