Will 371 cc's give me a C cup or larger?

Question

I am 5'2", weigh 110 lbs and currently after breastfeeding 2 babies, have a 34A bra size now. I've chosen silicone implants under the muscle and under the breast. Is a 371 cc implant going to look too big or fake on my petite body or will it give me the desired C size?

Sanjiv Kayastha, MD · Answer

Without the aid of pictures or the ability to examine you this question is very difficult if not impossible to answer. There are many different types of breast implants; shaped, round, saline, silicone, low profile, moderate profile and high profile. The implant size range for a particular woman is based on the dimensions of her chest wall and characteristics of her breasts. The best way to answer this question is by asking your plastic surgeon during your preoperative consultation. One other thing you can do is go to a breast implant site such as loveyourlook.com and find other women who have similar body dimensions and look at their before and after photos and note what size and style implants they got. This may help give you a rough idea of what 371cc implants may look like on you.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

In terms of picking the right implants to achieve your goals, generally speaking, I consider two  
factors when selecting implants for my patients:1. Dimensional planning2. Gel Implant Sizing systemDimensional
 planning – The measurements of your chest wall are taken. Also, the  
breast dimensions including the height, width, and current dimensions of
 each breast form the basis of dimensional planning. Based on these  
measurements, the implant size is recommended. This will give you a  
unique breast implant that is suited for your body frame. However, there
 are some limitations of what size we can recommend. For instance, some 
 implants may just be too big for a narrow chest wall. Your surgeon can 
 review this with you during the consultation.Gel Implant Sizing
  system – During the preliminary breast implant consultation, you will 
be provided with an option to “try on” a variety of implant shapes and  
sizes. You can also visualize the possible outcomes of your surgery  
which helps you to get that perfect size to give you the shape that you 
 longed for. This way your preferences are known and you can then pick a
  range of implants that will “fit” just right to give a soft natural  
fuller look. Hope this helps.Dr.BasuHouston, TX

Paul Gill, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is much better to accurately discuss implant volume and projection with an in office exam and detailed measurements. In order to make an accurate size recommendation, I would need to assess your chest wall and breast mound measurements/characteristics. I use these measurements to help me during the sizing process to guide you to a safe result for your chest wall and just as important, one that meets your end desires.The next step is to try on this range of implants in the office with your doctor. The key to this success is showing your surgeon the body proportion you desire with a bra sizer and allowing your surgeon to guide you to the right implant. It will be much easier to communicate in implant cc's than cup size when determining the appropriate implant for you during the sizing process. In addition, review of photos and use of rice bags can be very helpful to the patient and surgeon in achieving a safe and happy result. Close intereaction and involvement from your surgeon during this process can help alleviate the anxiety and fears of choosing the right size. I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.Dr. Gill

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The best cosmetic result in any particular breast
augmentation patient depends on a variety of factors, including: Your
individual anatomy, 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, breast dimensions 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.

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 yourplastic 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

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think that a good way to see how those implants will look for you would be to perform a baggy test with the bra that you want to fill.

Jeanette Padgett, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you posting your question.  I hear this same question frequently.  It is impossible to absolutely state what size or volume of an implant will produce a desired cup size.  The final bra size, cup and measurement around your chest, depend on the combination of your own breast tissue volume and the implant size.  Talk with your plastic surgeon about your goals for surgery.  Show your surgeon representative pictures of what you would (and wouldn't) like to look like after surgery.  Be sure to try on implant sizers during your consultation.  Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  There is no accurate/reliable/predictable correlation between size/profile breast implant utilized and cup size achieved. Despite your good description of goals, online consultants will not be able to provide you with specific enough advice to be truly helpful. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, and computer imaging) will be critical. Given that your surgery is coming up, I would suggest that you schedule additional time to spend with your plastic surgeon communicating your goals, preferably prior to the date of surgery.
Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering  breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully.  Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals  with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining  breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as  “natural” or "C cup” or "big and fake" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.  Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.
3.  Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly,  allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.  Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery,  after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.
I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast  augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes.

Will 371 cc's give me a C cup or larger?

Answers (7)

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