Wondering what implant might look best with current 32B breast size?

Question

I'm currently a 32B and am going to schedule a consultation for a breast augmentation. I'd love to be around a D cup and was wondering what implant profile/ size might make for a natural look? I'm 5'7 and 150 Ibs. Any advice would help :)

Azita Madjidi, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

If your chest circumference is 32 then a cup size is about 100 cc for you. So an implant between 200 to 300 cc will give you the cup size. However, the shape that you want matters too. If you want a natural look or a push up bra look, it will be different. What matters most is the diameter of the implant has to match your breast diameter.

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

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.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Honestly, a formal in-person evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are several reasons for this: 
1) Bra sizes vary based on the clothing store (for example, Victoria's Secret tends to upsize everyone by a whole cup size)
2) Most women do not wear the proper exact fitting bra size for their bodies
3) The exact volume (in cc) needed to change cup size is different for different body types (e.g. 32A to 32D requires a different implant size than 38A to 38D)
4) Be careful NOT to fall into the trap most women do- they see a certain implant size (e.g. 285 cc) or perhaps their friend had a certain size, and they want or request this or another size based on that. Everyone's body is different- 285 cc implants on your friend might look VERY different than they would on you. Be very careful not to make this mistake, because the goal is to find the right size and shape for YOU- for your particular body and your breasts.

Because of those multiple factors, and because it is KEY to fully evaluate your breasts in person to make a full set of precise measurements to select the proper implant for you (incorporating factors like amount of breast tissue, implant type, base width, projection, etc), answering your question really would need a formal personalized consultation- to say anything before that would simply be guessing, which would be both unfair and unhelpful to you. Also, just FYI, each surgeon's measurements are slightly different, so numbers, experience, and overall aesthetic from one surgeon aren't necessarily the same as those from another surgeon!

Your breasts are such a KEY area of your body and your femininity- therefore, you should ONLY trust an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. As such an expert, I have had extensive training and experience with complex aesthetic surgeries under a multiple world-renowned experts in the field. I’d recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with aesthetic plastic surgery procedures) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Brair,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

Breast implant sizing is based on your tissue based measurements. Based on these measurements (and goal), there is truly only a small range of volume that can achieve a safe, predictable outcome. I would recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in aesthetic breast surgery.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

At size 32, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. If you are a B and want to be a D then you would only need 200 cc implants. The profile is usually not that critical in the retro-pectoral position since the muscle compresses the implant.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

What looks best to you can only be determined by you. Choosing the right implant to achieve that look can only be determined in two ways: either simulation software or in office sizing, preferably with purpose built sizers and not actual implants. Although there's a lot of whiz bang with 3D photo simulation, and it has been clinically validated, I prefer the simple technique of using sizers in the office. The patient looks at herself in the mirror (or we take videos for her to take home) of how she looks in clothing with sizers in place. The patient is the one to determine what she likes to see in the mirror, and the surgeon's perception is cut out (because it's irrelevant). It is virtually foolproof and in almost two decades of use, has eliminated a very problematic situation I call wrong size surgery.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. As you undoubtedly know, a precise treatment plan or specific implant recommendation can only be determined with a careful examination and detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon. But absent photos it is difficult to provide you with a precise response. Volume (300 versus 400), is far less significant than implant width and projection. Implant width is similar to shoe size. The implant literally needs to fit into your breast and chest. A specific implant may well “fit” your breast, but the volume and projection are what will determine the “look” you want, similar to the style or type of shoe you would select. It is true that for a given volume a high profile implant will have a narrower diameter, and it is also true that a person with a petite frame will require a narrower diameter implant than a patient with a broader chest or larger frame.  Other considerations such as saline versus silicone are also important, as are "round" versus "anatomical" or "form stable" or "shaped", smooth surface versus textured, and softer versus firmer with the different levels of gel cohesivity.

The term “natural” can mean different things to different people and the profile of the implant does not necessarily determine that. You can certainly achieve a “natural” appearing result with a high profile implant if properly selected, but as a rule, the larger the implant and the higher the profile, and certainly if the implant is positioned too high, the greater the chances you will look “augmented” because of exaggerated upper pole fullness or convexity.

In my practice, besides a thorough interview process and physical examination with careful measurements, we use on lay sizers within an unpadded bra to help you understand what you are likely to look like in a bra, bathing suit, or T-shirt with a given size implant. In addition, and this is critical, we ask all of our patients to provide us with photos of their desired final look, with images of women’s breasts that most closely resemble the look they are trying to achieve. This serves as a visual guide that thankfully rarely leads us astray. The most common reason for patient disappointment after breast augmentation is size-too big or not big enough. This algorithm which we have been employing for over thirty years has proven to be very successful.

Because all of these factors can leave you quite confused, it is crucial that you select an experienced board certified plastic surgeon whose aesthetics align with your own, and with whom you feel comfortable. Don't be reluctant to seek a second or even third opinion if necessary to be sure and feel confident about moving forward with scheduling surgery. Expressing your desired cup size is notoriously inaccurate, and final breast size is the most common reason for patient disappointment after breast augmentation, either too big or not big enough.

Take your time, do your research. Best of luck to you.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Selecting the right implant for you is a detailed process.  During your consultation with your board certified plastic surgeon you will discuss your goals for breast augmentation and your surgeon will measure your breasts (this is different than your bra measurements).  You will need to consider several things in addition to volume including type, shape, and profile.  Your surgeon is your personal expert in recommending the right implant choices with all of these factors in mind.  I've included a video on this process that I hope you find helpful.

Wondering what implant might look best with current 32B breast size?

Answers (13)

More Breast Implants Questions

Recently I heard getting 300cc high profile looks very natural. Is this true? Thought it was the least natural option

Antidepressants & Risk of Hematoma for Breast Augmentation

Chest exercises with under the muscle implants? (Photo)

What kind of breast implants look the most natural?

Can an ultrasound show if an implant was ruptured?

Volume estimate to achieve my ultimate goal? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS