A cup to small, natural C cup - what CC amount should I choose?

Question

Hello there, I am having some trouble understanding what size would give me the desired outcome. I am 5"3'-5"4' , 118 lb. Pretty lean and athletic, 47 years old, very small breast tissue ..I am A cup. Iwas suggested to go under the muscle, dual plane as my skin is pretty thin (less then 2 cm). Diameter of my breast in around 10,5 cm. I want Motiva ergonomic Demi projection..with that diameter I could go 230 cc or 245 cc. I would like a very natural look, natural slope...don't care about cleavage without a bra. But I would like a small natural C cup...which cc would most likely give me tha outcome without looking augmented?

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Choosing the right size and profile breast implants for you. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

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.
Based on your narrative/measurements, your choices sound reasonable. I would not stress over subtle variations in size as they are unlikely to make/break a result. A 15 cc differential equates to a few teaspoons.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There is no direct correlation between cup size and implant volume. Depending of patient chest frame cup size can vary between 130-200 ml based on numerous articles in plastic surgery literature; considering your relatively small frame volume in the range of 260-300 ml would be appropriate. Have in mind that volume difference of 25-30 ml (10%) is not clinically visible. Good luck.

Waylon Zeng, MD · Answer

Hi Milli79, thank you so much for your question. This is a really common question I get in my clinic as patients often want to know what size implant to use to achieve a specific look. The answer is quite complex and as you have mentioned, it depends significantly on your breast width or diameter. The advantage of the Motiva Ergos is that it has a teardrop shape when sitting up to give that natural slope look, whether above or below the muscle. 
It's hard to say without examining or photos what the ideal size would be, as this still depends on how much existing breast tissue you have and whether you would also want to have fat transferred at the same time as the implant augmentation. If 10.5cm is the correct measurement, then yes the ideal implant size would fall in the 215-245cc range. A difference of 15cc is very minor and would not contribute a large amount to the final result (at most quarter to half of a cup size). A good way to see for yourself would be to try some sizers on under a bra to see how you like the fit.

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Hi.  The short answer is that there is not an exact correlation between cup size and cc's.  I prefer my patients to try on the different sizes of implants to be able to see what each size and profile/style looks like on them.  This gives a direct visualization of what the expectation will be.  There are other ways to determine the size, but this one seems to work best for me.  Talk to your surgeon about trying on the implants to help you make this very important decision.  Best of luck!

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. There is no direct translation between cup size and CC size in implants. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right implant. Your build is small but I would make sure you are having measurements done by an experienced plastic surgeon as a 10.5 cm base diameter is very small. Generally speaking, I usually estimate 150-200 cc per cup size of volume. So if you are an A cup and want to be a C cup, I would estimate needing a volume of about 300-400 cc in total and if you are on the "small side of average" maybe closer to 300 cc should be sufficient. To avoid an augmented look, I would lean towards more modest profile implants like Demi in the Motiva line. I think that 230-245 is a little small for you and I would double check your measurements to see if you can fit something closer to 300 cc in that profile.
Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Brian Widenhouse, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The best way to determine implant size is to try on implant sizers. Ask your plastic surgeon if he/she has sizers that you can try. If he/she doesn't have sizers, then you can show the plastic surgeon "wish pics" and the surgeon can then determine which size implant would be best to achieve your desired results. There won't be much of a noticeable difference between a 230cc and a 245cc. Most likely, either one would be a good option.

Best of luck,
Port City Plastic Surgery

Best of luck,
Port City Plastic Surgery

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

A very nicely wordy question but unfortunately no posted photos so the responses will be only pure guesses. I believe if you’re using the MOTIVA implants the 245 would get you almost to a C cup. Most likely you would need close to a 300 cc range but again know it posted photos hard to say best to post photos. Best to do virtual console expect fees to range from $6000-$8000 for using the capital MOTIVA implants. Regards.

A cup to small, natural C cup - what CC amount should I choose?

Answers (8)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (8)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Large areolas - Can I have breast augmentation without a lift or areola reduction? (Photos)

What are the best options to make my boobs look good again? (Photo)

Changing Planes to Restore Sensation - Would this Help Sensation to Return?

Do I need an Internal Bra with Motiva Preserve Technique?

Capsular Contracture - How can I detect it early?

Itching around stem of implant (20 years post) - could this signal a leak? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS