How Big is 300 or 350cc?

Question

I’m getting a prophylactic mastectomy with implant reconstruction. I’m 5’8 and 168 lbs and wear a 36B. The doctor recommends direct implant recon and could put in a 350cc implant, worse case 300cc. He said putting in an expander might not be an option. Why do some patients not have an option to have expanders? Will a 350cc implant look really small on a woman my size? I’m worried that I won’t be happy if my breasts look too small after surgery and would like the look of at least a C cup.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question and photos. The
choosing of implants is a very crucial and is one that should be done through
an in-person exam.  Various aspects could affect the choice of implants
like breast tissue, body measurements, desired end result and the like.
 Bra sizes also differ from one manufacturer to another so a carefully
selected implant can be able to get you very close to that size.  It is
always best to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon and have a full
evaluation for your concern. Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi.

An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic
surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sure that you have a lot to think about if you have decided to undergo prophylactic mastectomy.I would encourage you to focus upon the reason for the surgery and its potential longterm benefits in reducing the risk of breast cancer. That said, the cosmetic result is important. A 300 cc implant will produce no more than a B cup given that the underyling breast tissue will be removed. Exactly how much volume it will produce is dependent upon implant placement, your chest musculature, the thickness of the skin draping over the implant and other factors. Discuss your expectations in detail with your plastic surgeon prior to the procedure. I generally do not favor tissue expansion because it will require supplemental surgery to replace the expander with a permanent implant or leave you with an implant with a port (which some women can feel under the skin and find objectionable). Piggy-backing two implants also has its own problems. It would be best if you could achieve the desired result in a one stage procedure. Wishing you the best of outcomes!

Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD · Answer

It is not clear to me, why your plastic surgeon has told you that staging reconsryction by putting expander and then replacing it with a permanent implant is not an option. 300 cc implant is approximately two cups ( B cup). If you are already B cup and want to have a size larger you should consider 400 cc implants. If these impalnts put your breast flaps under undue tension, the only logical option would be to put tissure expanders to prepare enough space to accomodate appropriate size implants.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

There is no way that I or anyone else can provide you with accurate recommendations regarding implant size for your prophylactic mastectomy without first examining you. Photos can offer some information but not as regards implant size.

	There also is no valid reason that I know of that would preclude your ability to have tissue expanders if so warranted. If you want to be somewhat larger than you are now, this would be a potential approach.

	You should seek out 1 or more additional consultations with board certified plastic surgeons and then decide what you would like to do and with whom.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

The use of the expander is to stretch the pectoralis muscle . Your surgeon may have decided to use biological tissue to help to cover the implant and avoid the expansion(Alloderm). The final size of your breast will depend on the amount of tissue removed during the prophylactic mastectomy.Your surgeon can give better answer regarding the size.

How Big is 300 or 350cc?

Answers (10)