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.