Are 335 cc high profile silicone implants too small?

Thank you for your question.  When choosing an implant size there are a few factors that have to be looked at.  For example: Nipple to crease distance, width of the breast and diameter of the implants are a few to look at.  I would suggest an in person evaluation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you in person.  I would also suggest seeing if they offer 3D imaging.  This particular tool can help narrow down the type of implant and size that should be used.  Best of luck to you. 

Depending on the individual anatomy and desired results of the patient, estimations and measurements should be made for them individually. The elements that form up the breast shape and size and the overall frame can be different in each person. It is best to consult a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic breast surgery in person and discuss your goals and options after a physical examination.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (ccs). One hundred seventy five to 200 ccs is the equivalent to a one-cup size increase.  Each bra company calculates bra sizes differently, so using cup size alone as a parameter can lead to miscommunication between surgeon and patient. Did you try on a profile bra with various implant sizes under a tailored blouse, tight sweater, swimsuit, workout clothes, and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected?  I would recommend that you go with the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy.  The difference between 335 and 355 will barely be noticeable.  
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Great question!  Its difficult to give any recommendations without photos or breast measurements, and each patients will be different.  However, in general 200cc's is about 1 cup size so 335cc is about 1 3/4 cup size bigger than you are now.  If you are AA-A and 130 you seem to be a smaller patient so it could provide you with 2 cup sizes even.  It is best to review with your surgeon and try on implants so that you have an idea of the ideal size.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dear Gentle7496,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  It would be helpful to view pictures of your breasts and to know your individual breast measurements.  The size, profile, and shape of the implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Hello, there isn't a strong correlation between breast implant size and final cup size of the breasts, because it also depends on your pre-existing breast tissue and what type of bra you purchase.  Each manufacturer has their own bra cup sizing.  It is better to get a sense of your final size by trying on sizers, looking at before-and-after photos of people with a similar body type, or considering virtual imaging of the result.  Your surgeon will typically base their recommendations on your breast anatomy like tissue thickness, breast measurements, skin tone, and other factors.  It is not possible to give detailed advice without a proper assessment.  I hope your procedure goes well.

I would agree with some of the other clinicians when I estimate 180 to 200 ccs is a general equivalent of one cup size enhancement.  A 20 cc increase would achieve a minimal to no change and amounts to 1 and 1/3 tablespoons of volume.  When "on the fence" with volume choices, I suggest the larger of the 2 since patients rarely wish they had gone smaller.  Best of luck with your procedure.

The best cosmetic result in any particular breast augmentation patient depends on a variety of factors, including: Your individual anatomy, desired outcome, realistic expectations, a thorough discussion with the plastic surgeon about the options, and an understanding of the pros and cons of any particular implant choice. Proper sizing is not just about the number of cc’s. The thickness of your tissue, breastdimensions which include the width, height, and projection, as well as chest wall width all need to be considered when choosing an implant. Trying on implant “sizers” of various shapes and volumes while wearing a tight t-shirt, bra, or bathing sit at a preoperative visit will help you and your surgeon choose the optimal implant. 

There are no manufacturers' standards for cup sizing in the bra industry. The cups of a 34 C and a 38 C are significantly different. Cup size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and even within styles from any particular manufacturer. Nor is there a direct correlation between implant shape or size and cup size.

Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that your plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

the proposed implants are in the range of appropriate. However, sizing advice is impossible in the absence of photos and additional information. Bra sizes vary by manufacturer and are not adequate indicators.