Small C cup, wanting DD/E. How many CCs do I need? (photo)

When determining what size implant is most appropriate, there are a few considerations. Probably the most important is the diameter of the implant. You need a diameter that fits your chest correctly.
The next important thing to determine is how much projection the implant has, or how tall the implant is.

Wider and taller implants will give you more upper pole volume and more cleavage. This would be considered a more “fake” look, which some women prefer.

Using an internal bra, and fat transfer, can also help you achieve your cleavage goals. This is what I’d call a “Hybrid BA”, which works very well.

Patients often think in terms of cup size when considering augmentation. Unfortunately, devices are sized in terms of milliliters (cc) of volume. This can lead to some confusion when sizing. Additionally, it is important to remember that cup size itself is not standardized with variations from one manufacturer to another. Unfortunately, as many women can attest their cup size in an industry leader such as VS is not necessarily transferable to another brand.
Another point which is often under appreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume which is already present. The implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients (often times it will not even confer the same cup size to different breasts in the same individual...remember they are "sisters" not "twins").
A general rule of thumb is that 125cc can represent somewhere between 1/2 to a full cup size increase. Smaller volume differentials (25-50cc) are typically less consequential representing a volume change of less than a shot glass. However, I have found these numbers, at least anecdotally, to be of little help. Patients often present with notions/goals which do not correlate with these sorts of sterile volumetric assessments.
When sizing patients, there are a number of useful tools including:
-3D imaging (has the added benefit of offering a volumetric analysis of the pre-operative breast)
-Breast sizers (rice bags)
-Goal photos
I also recommend that patients commit to a particular look rather than a cup size. Once a patient settles on a look that pleases them the overall cup size increase becomes less relevant.
With regards to your specific question, there is no volume cup size equivalent. Based upon your photos, you demonstrate a well defined fold making internal support unnecessary unless you are seeking a significant upsize where weight will be an issue.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Thank you for your inquiry! During your consultation you can try on different implant sizes to see what size you prefer. We would love to sit down with you and come up with a surgical plan specifically for you. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

​It’s very difficult to predict a specific cup size after breast augmentation. The answer depends partially on how large your breasts were before the operation and what size implants are being put in, but also what brand of bra. There is really no consistency anymore between what a “D” really is from one brand to another. One woman may be a double d in one brand and a c in another. The best way to judge is to try the implants at your sizing session and see if they look right for your frame and whether they look like what you picture a DD/E cup should look like on you rather than focus on what the actual letter in the new bras you eventually buy are. As for the internal bra, there are many versions of this and very few surgeons capable of performing the suture technique that you need to round out the lateral border nicely while pushing the implants centrally. It tends to end up a bit squared in most surgeons hands so make sure the surgeon you choose has extensive experience in this technique Hope that helps!​

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this:
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you.

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

It is always mentally taxing to decide on an implant size, especially if one is using cups sizes as a goal. That is partly because there is no standard for what a cup size is. the photographs provided indicate reasonable preoperative breast volume. If the questioner wishes to increase by 2 cups sizes or perhaps three, in my practice I find this is usually in the high 300s or low 400s or something perhaps even more. What would be more helpful are photographs of outcomes that the patient is trying to achieve. If there is superior fullness in the upper breast, a higher profile implant may be advisable in addition to a higher volume. If your surgeon has 3D analysis, that can also help in visualizing final results with different sizes of implants.

Thanks for your question! I would talk to your surgeon about implant size. Perhaps something in the 400-450 range but it's important to have this conversation with your surgeon. You appear to have a well-defined inframammary fold so I'm unsure that an internal bra with something like Galaflex is necessary. Good luck!

Unfortunately bra cup sizes are not standardized. It is therefore important that you perform implant sizing tests using either a “rice test” or using implant sizers to try to determine the volume of implants that will achieve your desired breast size. Always use unpadded bras when performing these tests.In regards to the submuscular location of the implants, this is more likely to create a gap between the breasts, as implants cannot be any closer together than the width of the sternum.I would not suggest any type of mesh or internal breast suspension in a primary breast augmentation. This is generally reserved for more complex secondary or revision surgeries.

Dear Trustworthy308448,

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

Thank you for your question. You have a great starting point and I think that you NEED to have a 3-d simulation to really assess sizing. I perform a 3-d simulation for everyone and think that it is the best way to get an accurate depiction of sizing. Make sure that wherever you have your breast augmentation done that they perform a 3-d simulation

There are two main factors that influence spacing between breasts 1) Native anatomy, and 2)Implant plane. The nipples are centered over the breast mound, and if the implant is forced medially, the nipples face sideways. The implant must be centered under the nipples, and this means that the implant must be centered in the breast footprint. If the breasts have a significant gap, this will persist. 2) Implant plane does have a modest effect on cleavage, in that submuscular placement does position the implant laterally when the muscle is activated. If you want cleavage, subglandular (Above muscle) is the way to go. You likely would be well served with 250-320 cc range. This would be determined in clinic by trying on sizers.