Small Breast Implants - From AA to A?

Remember, breast implant volume (in cc's) is related to both the shape ("profile") and the diameter of the implant. A 100 cc implant has a very tiny diameter (width)....probably too tiny for most average 5'7" women.
If we measure the width of your breast now, it's probably around 12 cm across from cleavage to the outside of the breast. We can use this measurement to help you find an implant that would be proportional for your frame, which is something that we always do at our consultations.
If you want a number though, I'd guess that based on what you describe, you'd probably be looking at an implant in the 200-250 range, depending on the profile you pick.
All the best,

Thank you for your question.  Without performing a physical exam it is difficult to determine exactly what implant volume and profile will afford you the natural result that you are hoping for.  My best advice would be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is well-experienced in breast augmentation procedures.  At the time of your consultation your surgeon will evaluate your current (pre-op) anatomy, and based upon your breast width, distance between your nipple-areolar complex (NAC) and infra-mammary fold, how much breast tissue a patient has, and many other anatomical landmarks, your surgeon will determine (with your help and guidance of course!) what the best implant match for you would be.  It is important that patients do not get their minds stuck on a specific implant size before scheduling a consultation because one of the biggest misconceptions is that volume of an implant corresponds to a specific breast cup size.  A 300cc smooth, round, high profile, silicone gel implant will look completely different on two different individuals!  Instead, it is much more important that patients spend a long time discussing with their surgeon exactly what aesthetic result they are aiming for and the reality of this cosmetic result being achieved.  This conversation, in conjunction with a patients anatomy, will allow us to arrive at the right answer.  Also, many surgeons, myself included, will offer patients physical sizing using implant sizers and/or 3D breast imaging (such as Vectra, which my office routinely uses) to help illustrate to patients what is too small, what is too big, and what is exactly right for the patient.  This, I believe, is critical to arriving at the best result.I hope you find this helpful and best of luck!

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.The patient consultation is the
starting point for their decision and every effort should be made to have good
communication.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.This creates communication problems when talking cup size.In an effort to determine size in a
more objective manner, we utilize external silicone sizers and the Vectra 3D
computer imaging system.External sizers
are designed to sit on top of the patient’s breasts.They can be held against the patient’s chest
or placed inside the patient’s bra.This
technique helps the patient visualize what their breasts will look like with a
specific sized implant.It also gives
them a sense of the volume that will sit on their chest wall and how it feels.The 3D Vectra imaging system is a
relatively new technology that we have found to be extremely helpful in
determining breast implant size.This
system allows a patient to visualize different sized implants on their actual
body.Patients find this to be extremely
helpful.The ability to visualize your
projected surgical result alleviates much of the anxiety associated with this
procedure.I feel that both the use of
external silicone sizers and the 3D Vectra imaging system accomplished this
goal.It’s important to remember that
final adjustments in the size of breast implants will ultimately be made in the
Operating Room, depending upon anatomic factors.

Small Breast Implants- How to choose size?It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape of implant that will get you the results you desire without an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be tough to answer your question. For example your native base width of your breast will determine in many cases the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Additional critical decisions will also be made by your plastic surgeon such as: whether your implants will be above or below your pectoralis muscle. These choices are recommended to you based on the look you desire, the amount of sagging you may have, and other deciding factors. I always find it helpful for patients to bring in photos from my or other plastic surgeons’ websites to illustrate what they would like to look like. I bring these photos to the operating room for reference during surgery so that I have the advantage of “seeing through my patient’s eyes” to achieve their wishes.I personally order more than one set of implant sizes and use sterile sizers placed in the pocket during surgery to know in advance exactly which implant would work best for you. Software morphing programs can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn't work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts).My advice is to accept advice from your board certified plastic surgeon after a formal consultation and examination with measurements.. If still confused don't hesitate to get a second opinion.

Although its tempting to choose a very small implant to achieve a desired result - your best option is to be examined by a board certified plastic surgeon and express your interests in looking very natural with a small amount of augmentation. An implant will be chosen that fits your breast well. 

100 CC's is pretty small.  Implant sizes depend on many measurements.  Schedule a consultation and try on different implant sizes to see which look you like.

From the size of your frame it sounds like you will need a larger implant.  A 100cc implant is extremely small and will constitute only about 1/2 cup in size increase. You may well feel the surgery is not worth having for such a small change.  Please find a surgeon that you are comfortable with and try on some implants to determine which size will look the best on you and achieve your goal. 

Small breast implants are not at all unusual. Many celebrities, businesswomen, models and moms with small  breasts in proportion to their bodies elect to have very small breast implants in order to have a very natural look. Here’s one of the most important things to know about breast augmentation – maybe THE most important: based on the breast soft tissue envelope that you are starting with, and by that I mean the breast skin and subcutaneous breast tissue that will cover the implants, there is a limited range of implant shapes, dimensions and volumes that will produce 1. a natural-appearing result, which provides you with 2. A very likelihood of needing a reoperation (or a series of reoperations) for the problems associated with overly large breast implants: visible implant folds and ripples, implant malposition (usually ‘bottoming out’ and/or ‘lateral drift’), lower pole skin stretch deformity, easy implant palpability, stretchmarks and capsular contracture.

There are several variables in determining implant size.  When recommending implant size for my patients, I consider the followings: 1) patients' anatomy (height, weight, chest width, chest height, amount of breast tissue) and 2) patients' desired look/goal.  Without knowing your chest measurement and breast tissue amount, I cannot give you any recommendation.  You should visit with board-certified plastic surgeon who will examine you.  Try implant sizers to get a rough estimate of the size you may want.  As you know, bra/cup size will vary depending on the brand.  Good luck with you.
Dr. Sugene Kim

A 100cc breast implant does not exist and for a good reason. It is so small that it would make no difference to put it in. Plus the width of the implant would be much less than that of your current breast width, possibly giving an unnatural looking result. Whle it is clear that you want to remain fairly small, you also want  a normal looking breast afterwards. You probably need to think more in the low 200cc range, choosing a low or moderate profile so the width comes closer to that of your native breasts. At this size implant with your body frame, cleavage will not be created.