I Am a Small 34c. What Would I Be if I Had 250cc or 300cc Added?

One of the most important decisions facing breast
augmentation patients is the size of breast implants that will be used. Most
patients are striving for harmony, balance, and proportion with the surrounding
anatomic structures. Typically, they want a natural look with some fullness in
the upper breast area.

Most patients tend to speak in terms of cup size.
Unfortunately, cup size isn’t always helpful because manufacturers of bras
label their products differently and women don’t always wear their bras the
same way. In other words, some women wear their bras snugly while others wear
them loosely. For this reason, there’s no correlation between cup size and the
implant volume which is measured in ccs.

A 250cc to 300cc increase in breast volume would
probably add one full cup size but this is always subject to interpretation.
For this reason it’s important to thoroughly discuss this issue with your
plastic surgeon. The use of external silicone sizers and the 3d Vectra computer
system might also be helpful. These systems can help patients visualize
projected increases in breast size.

Our experience is somewhat different than your
boyfriend’s experience. The vast majority of patients feel that silicone
implants feel more natural than saline implants in our experience.

If you’re considering breast augmentation consultation with a board
certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be able to help
you determine what sized implant will accomplish your
aesthetic goals. 

In my experience, silicone implants feel the most natural.  I like the Inspira TruForm2 implants by Natrelle.  There is no guarantee of cup size based on the size implant you choose.  See a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to go over the best sizing options for you.

Best,

You will probably be a D cup.

It is very easy to be confused by this measuring system. Cup sizes are only used as estimates for clothing. Although the measuring technique for determining cup size is precise, the results of these measurements are not. Let me give you an example; weight is a very accurate measurement. However two patients that weigh 120 lbs are not likely to look alike. The same is true with two patients that have C cup breasts. This is why physicians tend to use volume (cubic centimeters or cc) as a more accurate measurement. Note: If you are trying to figure out what breast implant size you want to obtain, you can try the szing tool available through b4bra.com or read the articles about measuring there.

Size is a complex decision that is not only based upon your height, weight and current cup/bra size but ALSO on also on your breast diameter, waist, shoulder, and skin envelope measurements. These can only be assessed in person during a consultation. A good place to start is using my "Find your perfect size" tool listed in the left hand column of my bodysculptor.com home page. Another good place to look is the searchable database section of the physicians' photos on implantinfo.com. Best of luck.

Please see our website for a description of the procedure: bodysculptor.com You can view some of Dr. Placik's patients or many other patients by visiting the website:photo gallery

Thank you for the question and photos. The
choosing of implants is a very crucial and is one that should be done through
an in-person exam. Various aspects could affect the choice of implants
like breast tissue, body measurements, desired end result and the like.
Bra sizes also differ from one manufacturer to another so a carefully
selected implant can be able to get you very close to that size. It is
always best to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon and have a full
evaluation for your concern. Best of luck. Dr. Michael Omidi.


An in-person exam with a board-certified plastic
surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.

In order to make an accurate size recommendation, I would need to assess your chest wall and breast mound measurements and characteristics.  Unfortunately, there is not a general rule of thumb or objective criteria to implant selection.

Your plastic surgeon will perform several measurements of your chest wall and breast anatomy and determine a range of implants that both fit your chest wall and reach your desired goals.
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.
I wish you a safe recovery and fantastic result.
Dr. Gill

The actual size of a breast implant, measured in cc's, is really not very descriptive of what a breast augmentation will look like, or what the cup size will be. It is all relative to the size of the breast and the size of the patient preoperatively. A tall, broad-shouldered patient with small A-cup breasts may require 450cc implants to achieve a C-cup breast volume postoperatively, while a shorter patient with medium B-cup breasts may only need a 250cc implant to achieve a C-cup breast volume.

If a natural appearance is the goal, then the way to get the size right is to 'try out' different implant volumes and profiles in the operating room. Once the implant pockets have been created, sterile sizers can be placed in the implant pockets, and the upper half of the O.R. table raised so that the resulting breast appearance can be assessed with the patient in an upright 'sitting' position (chest fully upright) while under anesthesia. These sizers are available not only for each implant size but also for each implant profile: low, moderate and high (in this practice we use high-profile implants only in rare instances). Inflatable sizers are used for saline implant augmentations, and pre-filled gel sizers are used for gel implant augmentations.

For any patient there is obviously a range of implant volumes that would be considered natural-appearing, and a volume at which the upper pole of the breast begins to look very unnatural. While one patient may seek an augmentation that is 'perfectly natural', another may be interested in a result that is more on 'the full side of natural', and many patients do ask that the largest implant volume be selected that does not produce an unnatural fullness in the upper pole. By using breast implant sizers intra-operatively to determine exactly what breast implant profile and volume produces the best breast appearance in the O.R., patients can be provided with the closest possible approximation of their preoperative goals, and can be assured of a natural-appearing result.

It is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon.  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 "fake looking" 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.
I use  intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. Use of these sizers also allow me to select the press implant profile (low, moderate, moderate plus, high-profile) that would most likely achieve the patient's goals. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.
I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.
By the way, the most common regret after this operation, is “I wish I was bigger”.
I hope this helps.

Thank you for your photos and your question. Implant volume and cup size are very difficult to predict. This is mainly because cup sizes vary dramatically between bra manufacturers. There is no standard. The important characteristics to achieving a natural breast augmentation are to keep the implant within the anatomical confines of the breast, then tailor the volume to your goals. In other words, every implant has a height, width, and volume. The width of the implant should be less than the width of your breast. This allows for effective camouflaging of the implant. Based on how "large" you want to be, the projection (height) of the implant will allow for different volumes. By choosing an implant that fits your body, you are much less likely to have the "fake" result, but rather to have an implant which effectively "augments" your natural breast into a larger size. On the issue of silicone versus saline - neither implant is "hard." A hard implant indicates a capsular contracture (or extreme overfilling of a saline implant). Silicone has a more "natural" feel than saline implants.

Gel implants will probably be the softest. As for volume, an implant of the size you are suggesting may boost you a cup or so.

Hi Pollyana,

Regarding which implant feels softer.  There are 3 factors that affect how soft the breast feels after augmentation.  One is what the implant is filled with.  If all other factors are equal, silicone will feel softer because it is more compressible.  The second is whether or not you develop a capsular contracture, which makes the breast feel firm.  If you have a capsular contracture, even a silicone implant can feel firm.  The third is how much tissue you have overlying the implant; more tissue and the implant will feel softer.  Regarding size, generally you will go up one cup size for every 100-150cc implant; however this varies depending on your body's frame size.  If you have a larger frame, your cup size will go up less for a given implant, compared to a person with a smaller frame.  By frame I am referring to the circumference just under your breast.  Finally, it is hard to tell from your photo, but you might need to consider a breast lift.  Good luck.

Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS