Will 220 CC achieve a small C cup with cleavage? (Photos)

Hello, your own surgeon will be the best source of advice regarding your exact implant size, since they will have directly assessed your breast tissue thickness, skin tone, detailed measurements, etc. Generally, 220cc implants are appropriate for women who are petite and/or seeking a more modest, natural appearing result, but the final outcome will look different on each person.

I think my recommended respect is a bit low for the C-cup you want. Especially if you want a nice look in the cleavage area, it would be appropriate to have it bigger and even if possible, a very little fat injection that will make the cleavage area more prominent, which we call hybrid breast augmentation, would be appropriate. With the combination of these two, you can both achieve a nice breast transition. You can also achieve a breast volume that will not look too big on your body.

Thanks for your question! Everyone is different in what implants will achieve; however, generally 100-125cc will take you up a cup size. Therefore, 220cc should be a small C if you are currently an A cup. I would suggest asking your surgeon and doing another careful fitting. Good luck!

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.
With regards to your specific question, 220SF seems like a reasonable choice. It is difficult to predict cup size with any certainty.
Cleavage is not defined by implant choice but rather anatomy. Wide set breasts will still be wide set post augmentation.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Dear Sevenforever,

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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Sizers are a great way to see how your predicted results may look. They’re implants that you can fit into your bra. Please ask your surgeon if they have some in your size so that you can determine whether 220cc would achieve a small C cup.

Cleavage can be improved to a certain extent, however because the implants need to be centred behind your nipples, you would need to ask your surgeon if the improvement would be to the extent you’d like.

Based off your photo - without an examine, first notice your asymmetry of left versus right side. That will not change when implants are in, sometimes maybe more noticeable (one is higher than the other as well). As far as sizing - it would be based off your breast measurements and a 220cc sounds reasonable (I would ask your surgeon to have a range to get you to a C cup - as I tell my patients - "don't be set on any number, during the procedure, I will use sizers and see what fits your breasts best and as close to a C as possible") That way if a 240 or 250cc looks fuller, the surgeon has the option to do so.
And as far as more cleavage - there are a few options. Higher profile implant to give you more projection can give you more cleavage versus wider implant to give you more width leading to more cleavage (no matter what after any size / profile implant, in a bra or bikini you will have more cleavage for sure.) Its when you are not in one, your breast will sit where they are but fuller. And lastly, you can have a hybrid approach - take some fat from somewhere (inner thighs, lower tummy) and graft into the cleavage area after the implants are placed (this is usually my top choice for women who want more cleavage).

At size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. If you are an A now then 200 cc implants would take you to a C. However, your breasts are asymmetrical in volume, shape and position. I recommend a circumareola approach to reposition the nipple-areola complex to achieve better symmetry as well as to place the implants.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast 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 size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

The same volume breast implant will look larger on a petite person such as yourself, as opposed to a larger person. Dimensional measurements of your breast, ie, how wide your breast is, as well as the distance from your nipple to your inframammary fold, will help you understand the dimensions of the breast implant that will fit you most naturally. There is always a range of implants that will fit a patient, because as implants increase in size they get only slightly wider, have slightly more projection and increase in volume slightly. Therefore, there is usually not only one specific implant that will fit you. There is a range. Understanding this allows you to know what implants would naturally fit your breast dimensions and that you can move up in size with only slight differences. I have found that very few patients complain that their implants are too large. You will achieve some increase cleavage due to the edges of the implant, pushing your breast tissue toward the midline. How much cleavage you obtain will be due to the size of the implant that you choose and the placement of the implant.