What size implant would you suggest for someone trying to go from a 36A to 36C cup?

At size 36 A each 200 cc’s of implant corresponds to 1 cup
size change. To achieve a C would
require 400 cc implants. I always
recommend small round textured silicone gel implants placed retro-pectoral
since they look and feel more natural, are more stable, less likely to ripple
or have complications needing revision.
Implant profile is irrelevant in the retro-pectoral position since the
muscle compresses it. Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

There is no way to guarantee a particular bra size. Bra sizing varies greatly between bra manufacturers and a C in one bra will be a D in another. What matters more than the assigned bra size is the way the implant looks on you. The best option for your body and aesthetic goals can be determined in a thorough implant sizing session.Implant sizing depends on several factors. One of the most important factors is your breast width. Generally, your surgeon will measure your breast width, and then provide you with a range of implant sizes appropriate for your native breast size. There are more nuances to it than just what I've described, but this approach works for most women.I usually have my patients bring in a large bra and a tight t-shirt to do sizing. I'll then choose 3-4 implants that I feel are appropriate, and have my patients place them in the bra under the tight t-shirt. My patients can then look in the mirror and get a good sense of what they will look like with the provided implant sizes. My patients like this approach and get a great idea of how they will look.By using this technique, your surgeon can outline a range of appropriate implant sizes that will be aesthetically pleasing, and you make the final decision.I hope this helps. Good luck!

Augmented breasts can and should look natural. With the right implant in the correct position, they can also feel completely natural. Excessively large breast implants never look or feel natural, so the first important factor to consider is implant size.You are correct that silicone gel breast implants tend to look and feel more natural. Placement under the muscle will also make the implant less palpable.  Choosing the size based on cup size can be tricky as bar manufacturers are so different. Instead, I would suggest looking at the before and after images on a plastic surgeon's website and looking for women with a starting pint point like your and a result that is what you'd hope to achieve. Some plastic surgeons, myself included perform only natural looking breast augmentation surgery and never use overly large implants. The size of the implant is only one factor that contributes to the appearance of a natural looking result. The pocket placement is critical. Even very small implants can look unnatural if placed too high on the chest wall, too far apart or too close together. In some cases, the inframammary fold should be lowered. if that is the case, your lactic surgeon needs to have a plan for preventing a double bubble or implants that shift.The implant size is not just about c's but also about base diameter and shape. Implant 'profile' refers to how wide an implant is (base diameter) compared to how much forward projection it has (height). The implant manufacturers use different terms to describe these profiles, but in essence there are three types: low profile (wide base diameter / modest projection), intermediate profile (less wide, more projecting) and high profile (even narrower diameter, very projecting). If the goal is a full but natural-appearing breast enhancement, almost all patients need a low- or intermediate-profile implant. A 'deflated' appearing breast with little forward projection usually looks best with a intermediate profile implant, while a more youthful-appearing breast with some natural, inherent projection often looks best with a low profile implant - especially in a slender patient with an athletic frame. There are very few patients that need a high profile implant, at least not if the goal of surgery is a natural-appearing breast enhancement. The combination of narrow base diameter and high projection is really an implant style that is more suited to breast reconstruction than breast augmentation. A common error that leads to an unnatural appearance after breast augmentation, even with implants of an ideal size, is inadequate lower pole dissection and/or inadequate release of the pectoralis major origin just above the inframammary fold. As a result the implants sit too high and appear excessively full in the upper poles (the area above the nipple-areola complex), while the lower poles - which should be the fullest area of the breast - are underfilled. Inadequate muscle release may also result in bizarre-appearing breast implant 'animation' when the pec major muscle contracts. In some cases this may result in one or both of their implants jumping up literally to the level of a patient's collarbones. An alarmingly unnatural look, and one that is totally avoidable.Most patients want to have the fullest breast profile that still looks natural on their body. The limiting factor for implant size is almost always the appearance of the upper pole. At some implant volume, the upper pole of the breast begins to look excessively rounded or convex, and that is a look that says "breast implants live here". By taking your time researching a plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation procedure, you should be able to find a plastic surgeon who understands your goals and can demonstrate his ability to to provide the results you are looking for.  

Thank you for the question.To best help you, a physical
examination or picture evaluation is required in order to determine
which procedures and techniques would be best for your case.Dr. Campos

Thank you for the question. However, despite good intentions, online consultants will not be able to provide you with  meaningful specific advice.  Ultimately, in person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will be necessary. Careful measurements, dimensional planning, and careful communication will be key.
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're 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 which operation and/or 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" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
 Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate.  The use of computer imaging may be very helpful during this communication phase.
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.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

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.

Keep in mind that following the
advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you
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
you find a plastic surgeon 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

Thank you for your question.  As others have stated he most likely will need an implant in the 350-400 cc range to increase 2 cup sizes.  Please consult a board certified plastic surgeon for an in formal examination, consultation, and breast implant sizing evaluation.

I agree with the responses that there is no simple answer to your question and there are also no exact measurement or number of cc's of volume to answer your question. In general, however, you correctly realize that the chest circumference, 36, is not going to change. Only the cup size changes in a 36 bra. A C cup in a 36 is not the same as a C cup in a 34 or 38 inch chest. For breasts that are average or close to average width for the chest circumference and for round implants below the pectoralis muscle positioning, the three choices of forward volume (profile) in smooth surface, round, silicone gel-filled implants correspond to 1, 1 1/2, and 2 cup size apparent gains in breast cup size for the same chest circumference. This assumes that the width (diameter) of the implant is about 1 cm less than the upright width of the breast with arms down. Therefore, if you are a mid 36A cup now and your breast has average width for your 36 in. chest, a high profile, round, smooth surface silicone gel-filled implant that is about 1cm less than the width of your breast and positioned properly behind the breast and pectoralis muscle, will make your breasts look like 36 mid-C cup size breasts.This is far from exact but about as close as it can be called. In other words you could look less than 2 cup sizes larger but not less than 1 cup size larger and you can't go larger than 2 cup sizes without risking distortion of your breast and it's natural characteristics. 

Breast implant sizing is both an art and a science. Yes, if you use too big an implant, you will look fake. however, what is "too big" varies by individual. I cannot even give you a suggestion of the "right" size since I do not know any of your measurements.To pick the right size requires measuring your height, weight, chest diameter and the present dimensions of your breasts. This allows choosing an implant that fits your body in order to obtain a natural result. Choose a plastic surgeon with significant experience who uses the measurement methos as part of your evaluation and you should get what you desire.