I Was a 32A and I Wanted to Be a C Cup and Got a 34D to DD. I Would Like to Downsize Without a Lift?

At size 34 each 100 cc of implant will correspond to 1 cup size change.  When you received a 380 cc implant, you went up 3.8 cup sizes and that is why you are a DD.  If you want to go from an A to a C then you will need 200 cc implants.  Many patients believe that the only way they can have attractive breasts is through breast augmentation.  However, there is a new technique called Breast Augmentation with Mini Ultimate Breast Lift, which allows the breast to be reshaped to increase projection and repositioned to increase upper pole fullness and cleavage.  The operation is done through a circumareola incision avoiding the lollipop or boat anchor shaped scars, which are unsatisfactory to patients.  I recommend Implant Exchange with Mini Ultimate Breast Lift.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

There are two issues you are speaking about. One is size and the other is appearance. You would need to decrease your implant by 100cc to get a cup size difference.  Ultimate bra size depends upon where you buy your bra.  In terms of the need for lift that has to do with nipple position.  If you posted some pictures it would be easier to evaluate whether you needed a lift.  I suspect that since you are asking that you probably do need a lift. You may be able to get by with a concentric lift which would require a scar around your areola without a lollipop of anchor component.

  Downsizing is an option and the decision to lift would have to be made by your plastic surgeon.  Sometimes a lift can be avoided, but, to some degree, this will be based upon the volume loss.  I must say that an A cup going to a DD cup with 380 ml is a bit of an enigma.  I have put in 400 in many women and they do not even go up 2 full cup sizes. 

It is possible to go down in implant size without having to do a lift. It really depends on whether or not you needed a lift to start with, have had drooping since the augmentation, and the quality of your skin. If you have good skin quality and breast tissue, and no drooping, you may not need a lift. You can exchange the implants and then allow time for your own tissues to tighten around the smaller size. If you have drooping or stretch marks or thin skin, you may need a lift at the same time. Also, in terms of implant sizes and cup size- there is no direct conversion of volume to cup size. A general guideline is that every 150-200 cc adds one cup size, so if your augmentation is with 380 cc, you can reasonably expect to go from an A to a C. Like I said though, this is not a direct conversion, and factors such as the width of your breast and chest wall, amount of native breast tissue, shape of chest wall, skin quality, etc all factor into what size you will be. So a 380 cc implant on you can look completely different than the same implant in another woman. Also, cup size varies depending on the brand of bra, so while you may be a D or DD in certain brands, you will be a C in others.

the volume changes with chest size.  see my previous posts.

 

a 32 usually requires about  250=-275  to get to a c cup

  34                                         300-350

36                                           350-390

it may be possible to change the size and fix the pocket internally

I would recommend waiting at least 3 more months. There may be some more swelling that will decrease.  This may change your train of thought.

Dr. ES

Without seeing before and after pictures, it is somewhat difficult to answer this question.  Cup size is not a good guideline to decide on size of implants because cups vary quite a bit between bra manufacturers.  Using pictures of breast profiles you like can be helpful.  Downsizing implants does not always require a mastopexy.  It sounds like you probably will not need a lift but an in-person exam would give the best information.

Without seeing you in person or seeing before and after pictures, it is impossible to give you specific advice.  However, just going down one size, you will likely be okay and not need a lift.  You will likely end up with less upper pole fullness and, of course, smaller volume.  

 

Good Luck

I'm sorry that you did not get the postoperative result you were hoping for.  I would recommend that you not concern yourself with cup sizes as they can differ so much from bra to bra.  If the shape and size of your breasts are not what you would like, they can certainly be revised.  As to the need for a lift if you downsize your implants, this is a very individualized question and will require an exam from an experienced surgeon.

Though others here and elsewhere indicate that many women are unhappy with their implant choice, this has not been my experience.  Using sizers to accurately estimate the patient's wishes works well for my practice, while I find that animations and photo manipulations may not give accurate assessments. In the end, the judgement of the surgeon is also critical.  

The difference in your look with 50 or 100 or 150cc less in your implants is impossible to assess without examining your body.  Imagine a 300cc implant in a 4 foot, 100 lb woman- this would create a large breast relative to her small frame.  The same implant in a 6 foot, 180 lb woman would look much smaller.  It is the size of the implant relative to your frame that creates the size and shape of your breast after surgery.

If you did not need a lift before your first operation that was only a bit over a year ago, it is very likely that you can get smaller implants and not need a lift now.  See a board certified and experienced plastic surgeon to get a good evaluation.

There are no fixed definitions of cup sizes, and may patients have bras that fit that are up to 3 different sizes. Many of us try hard not to speak in terms of cup size at all. 

That said, many contributors to this site will estimate that it takes 150-250 cc per cup size increase. One might expect a two cup increase for a 380 cc implant. Determining how much to downsize is the most difficult sizing decision. One thing that can be helpful on the day of surgery is for your surgeon you aspirate the implant until the size looks ok to you and the surgeon. This can be done in the pre-op room under sterile conditions. 

As to the need for a lift,without a photo I can't speculate. 

Thank you for your question, all the best.