What size will I be with 285cc of silicone implants?

Please note that cup size varies among different bra manufacturers. Please speak to your surgeon again to discuss your concerns.Regards,

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.
The key to obtaining a natural result is to stay within the parameters defined by your BWD. This will ensure that you avoid the dreaded "fake" look. Your choice of implant seems reasonable for your frame and measures. However, there is no replacement for an in-person exam.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Hello and thank you for your question.  Congratulations on your upcoming procedure.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.   The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon. 
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for your question. Choice of implant size is based on physical examination findings and patient goals. An accurate assessment would involve obtaining a full history and physical, including breast base diameter measurements.  In regards to patient goals, unfortunately, discussing cup sizes can be misleading as there are no standardized bra cup sizes. A "C-cup" from one bra manufacturer may be significantly different from a "C-cup" from another bra company. This variability makes it next to impossible to discuss and predict cup size after augmentation mammoplasty.  I recommend that you review photographs of pre-operative and post-operative breast augmentation patients to help get a sense of what size implants may attain the appearance that you are looking to achieve (the "loveyourlook.com" online database would be a good place to start, and will have a number of patients that have had 285mL implants placed for you to compare). Base your goals on the photographic results as opposed to cup size. You can then review the photographs and discuss your desires with your surgeon. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. There is often this misunderstanding that a cc size equals a cup size and this is just not true. Everyone is different and there is no formula to determine the outcome. You need to discuss with your surgeon your goals and objectives and allow him or her to guide you through the process of implant selection. If you want a rough estimate, I usually tell patients to consider 150-200 cc per cup size. With you starting as an A, you would be around a 2-2.5 cup size change, or maybe somewhere around a C+, but this depends on many factors. The best thing you can do is make sure the surgeon doing your surgery is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and you have taken the time with him or her to carefully select your implant. If you have not met these suggestions, I would encourage you to strongly consider rescheduling your procedure. Best of luck!

Dear aimeelynn88,implant size doesn't determine which bra size you will have after the surgery. 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, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Different implants will look different on different patients because everybody's breasts and body frames influence the result.It is important to realize that the ultimate breast size and shape depend upon so very many variables.  A 300 cc implant on a petite woman with a thin frame may look quite large, but that same implant in an overweight woman may be barely noticeable.  Size and shape of the result depend upon the volume of the implant, the shape of the implant, if it is over or under the muscle, your skin and its resilience, stretch marks, the degree of breast sagging, chest circumference, amount and distribution of the natural breast tissue, etc.  For this reason, it is impossible to give reliable advice based simply upon height and weight, or even photos. The only way to approach reliable predictions is with an in-person examination with a board certified plastic surgeon, the use of sizers, 3-D imaging, and most importantly, relying upon the skill, expertise, and experience of your chosen  Board-Certified Plastic surgeon.

Thank you for the question. There is no accurate/reliable/predictable correlation between size/profile breast implant utilized and cup size achieved. For example, I do not think that the generalizations of "200 cc equates to 1 cup" hold any validity or are helpful in any specific or practical way.  In my practice, I ask patients not to communicate their goals, or evaluate the outcome of the procedure performed, based on cup size references.
Ultimately, careful selection of plastic surgeon and  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, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.
  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. For example, I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or  "B or C cup" 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.In your case, my best advice: more communication. It will definitely worth spending more time (prior to the date of surgery) with your plastic surgeon to discuss further.  As you know, it will be important for many reasons, that you feel comfortable that you and your plastic surgeon are on the "same page" prior to proceeding.
I hope this helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Cup size is not a good determining factor for breast size. The is no standardization of cup size among bra manufacturers, so you may be 2-3 different cup sizes in bras that fit from different manufacturers. With a breast width of only 11cm, a small implant is needed, as the implant diameter should not exceed the breast diameter.
Sincerely,
Thomas C. Wiener, MD
Houston
this information is not a substitute for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon

Congratulations on your planned breast augmentation. Cup size is difficult to predict because different manufactures label the same cup a different size.  A very rough estimate is at the 285 cc breast implants might enlarge it to a full B cup in the same style and manufacture of bra that you currently wear.