Will I stay the same cup size after my swelling goes down?

Question

I just got 365cc silicone high profile implants on Monday the 6th...I wanted to go larger but due to my frame, 365 was my max for doctor. My goal was to be a D cup. Unfortunately, Doc was not able to give a guarantee on that...which I understood. I went today to get a comfortable bra that was safe for me. I was a 36D....my concern is that my size will go down after the implants settle and swelling goes down. I'm hoping that even though my breasts will shift a bit...I don't lose cup size...

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure.  Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate assessment and advice.Similar to what you have experienced, I also ask my patients not to communicate their goals ( and/or evaluate the outcome of breast augmentation surgery) based on achieving a specific cup size. As you know, "cup size communication" can potentially lead to misunderstanding and/or disappointment…Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery. The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. 
Many of my patients report that as the swelling around the breast implants (for example, in the sternal area) decreases, they feel that their breasts appear more projecting (and that they have better "cleavage"). Also, in my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. Similarly, it takes a few months for the breasts to "soften" in most cases.  Most of my patients tell me that their breast implants feel "part of them" somewhere between 3 to 6 months after surgery was performed.  There is definitely a physiologic and "psychological" (body image)  adaptation process that occurs, at differing rates for every patient, for patients who undergo any type of aesthetic surgery, including breast  augmentation surgery.  Understandably, patients often experience significant emotional "ups and downs" around the time of surgery.
 Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

Hard to predict what cup size you will be since there is no direct correlation between cc's and cup size. Trust that your operating surgeon filled your breast pocket optimally to give you the best possible result. As the swelling subsides and the implants drop and settle some, your implants will assume a more natural shape which most patients desire. Good luck!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question.Your breasts will change and your breast cup may change too, but this is not predictable. Not all patients get smaller as they drop and fluff. Many will stretch out to a bigger breast cup. You should use your plastic surgeon as a resource on this subject and see what he/she predicts will happen. Good luck, Dr. ALDO :)

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your breast augmentation surgery.You are absolutely correct in everything that you posted.  It is really the look that I always try to achieve and not a particular bra size.  As you will see, when you go bra shopping for actual underwire bras, there is going to be a good variation in the sizes that you will be fitted depending on the bra manufacturer.  I usually allow my patients to start to wear an underwire bra at about 2 months time.  Just follow your surgeon recommendations for now as to when it is okay to wear a regular bra.You bra size may not change but your breast shape should change tremendously between now and 4 months time.Hope that helps.

Lily Lee, MD · Answer

Without knowing the details of your breast augmentation, most of the swelling after a breast augmentation goes away within the first week, but it does take quite a bit of time for your implants to drop into place. I doubt that once all is said and done, you will lose an entire cup size. Please understand that cup sizing for bras have no standardization and that a D cup in one brand can be completely different with another brand.

Will I stay the same cup size after my swelling goes down?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breast Augmentatio and Bra Sizing

Answer: Breast Augmentatio and Bra Sizing

Answer: Cup size changes after breast augmentation

Answer: Cup size changes after breast augmentation

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Will I stay the same cup size after my swelling goes down?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breast Augmentatio and Bra Sizing

Answer: Breast Augmentatio and Bra Sizing

Answer: Cup size changes after breast augmentation

Answer: Cup size changes after breast augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.