5'2 125 lb female 34 AA bra size; Would 385-420 cc bring me to a full C/small D cup? (photo)

Hello and thank you for your question. You are a great candidate
for a breast augmentation.   Your surgeon must use excellent technique and great caution when lowering your breast fold during this surgery.  Extreme care must be taken in order to avoid a double bubble or bottoming out when lowering the fold in breasts such as yours.   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.  This entire surgery
can be performed with a small incision technique.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

I appreciate your question!

After performing hundreds of breast augmentations, I have found that the size of implant best for you is dictated by your chest wall measurements. Once we determine that we can choose the profile based on what you want or need to achieve.  If you are seeking a natural look, then the diameter of the implant should be equal to or, more ideally, smaller than the width of your breast. The breast width is a measurement of how wide your breast is at the base, which should be measured at the level of the nipple. Choosing an implant that is smaller in diameter than your breast width will avoid the "side breast" fullness that is often associated with a more artificial appearance. Other than that, you should choose the implant based on volume, not on the dimensions of the implant. You should choose a board certified plastic surgeon that you trust to help guide you in this decision. Bringing photos as well can help us to finalize, but please understand that these are of other people’s bodies and your results will probably be different.

Silicone will give you fullness at the top (upper pole fullness). Silicone implants come pre-filled with a silicone gel and are the softest implant available. They feel more natural, which makes them a good option for women with less natural breast tissue; but they require a larger incision. It may be more difficult to realize if this type of implant has ruptured, so it is important to monitor them with annual follow-up visits. Additionally, because this implant contains a softer silicone (less cross-linked), if this implant should rupture, it may leak but only into the scar capsule formed. However, the newer silicone in these implants may not leak even when the implant shell is ruptured.

Anatomic gummy bear implants might be a good choice to give you a more natural look. These highly sought after, anatomic implants offer a look that more closely resembles the natural silhouette of a breast, and, therefore, is a very attractive option for individuals seeking a natural-looking, aesthetic primary breast augmentation. Additionally, these implants are an especially excellent option for patients undergoing restorative or corrective breast surgery because they provide more stability, shape, and reduced incidence of capsular contracture. Compared to other types of silicone gel implants, the silicone in the cohesive gel implant is more cross-linked; therefore, should the implant shell “rupture,” it maintains its shape and silicone does not leak.

During your breast augmentation consultation, you should feel the different types of implants available, and try on various implant sizers in front of a mirror to help you to get an idea of how you will look following the surgery. You should also bring pictures of the look you would like to achieve, as well as a favorite top to wear when trying on implant sizers. I also use a 3D imaging system to allow you to try on a variety of shapes and sizes. I prefer this method over adding volume due to implants being under the muscle.

We will also discuss the possibility of needing a lift along with an implant. This will depend on the amount of ptosis (nipple position) as it relates to your breast, inframammary crease and chest wall. Needing a lift or not will also determine where to place the scar for the incision.  In some cases if the breast and nipple is really ptotic (low) it might be best to stage the procedure by performing a lift first and then doing an implant at a second stage. This will also allow you to have a better understanding of the true size and shape of your breast.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Hello,If you set your fold to 6 cm, you should not have an implant greater than about 200 cc to 225 cc. Her implant recommendations are too large and likely result in complications.  No one can promise a cup size as there is no equation to determine it. You should visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons who specialize in breast surgery. 

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, 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. 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. In regards to lowering of your inframammary fold, it is difficult to offer advice without a formal physical examination. Within the limitations of reviewing your photograph, however, it does appear that lowering of the fold is reasonable. Best of luck!

The implant selection should be based on a combination of your desired size, soft tissue dynamics, breast base diameter and skin elasticity.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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. Without measures or photos, any advice beyond this will be limited.With regards to your specific question, in most cases of augmentation, the fold will be lowered to accommodate the implant and center it on your native breast mound. As long as you are appropriately sized (BWD >= Implant diameter), you should obtain a very nice result.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS)

Dear pinkgirlxx,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

would help you envision what you will look like so a 350 and 400 cc sizer would produce the look from the planned implants your surgeon is using.  Are you going asymmetric implants or same sized implants on both sides?  Your surgeon's plan is reasonable and you should get a good outcome.  You are starting asymmetric so do not expect perfect symmetry afterwards, even with different sized implants.

Thanks for your question.  Since there is no way to say definitively over the internet which size would be optimal for you, take comfort in the fact that the surgeon uses your unique measurements and is able to provide you with a general range.  In many cases the board certified plastic surgeon can best be your guide as they’ve met with you in person and heard your aesthetic goals. You may consider doing 3-D imaging; however with nearly all the breast cases we’ve performed, we’ve found patients enjoy doing a live “try on” session where they actually can “try on” the implant in a non-padded bra in our office.  This does not give an exact measurement of outcome, rather it gives a nice idea of what to expect. For patients who desire a more natural look we like to recommend the shaped implant.  For patients who desire a more full, voluptuous look we recommend a higher profile implant (like Inspira). Remember that all breasts have at least some amount of asymmetry (we like to say they’re like sisters and not twins).  An in-person consult is the best way to discuss your questions.   Be sure to find a surgeon with the following credentials:  *Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery -- The gold star symbol   *A member of the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) -- The circle symbol  *A member of the ASAPS (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) -- the Queen Nefertitti symbol with a Triangle.  My best, Brian Coan, MD, FACS

Thanks for the great question! A nipple to fold distance of 2-3cm is very short. Based on your base width and the implants sizes you're looking at, you will need a nipple to fold distance is that is closer to 9cm. 6cm would be much too short and would leave you with a scar on the bottom of your breast. As for sizing, each increase in 150-175cc is about one cup size. So the sizes you're looking at will take you up about 2.5-3 cup sizes. As the surgeon probably explained, the HP implants will stick out more from your chest and will give you more fullness in the top part of the breast. Best of luck!~Dr. Sieber