I'm a 34B, I Want a Small/mid D. Should I Go 375cc or 400cc?

Question

I am a 34B bra size, 5'6, 136lbs, i will get surgery over the breast muscle and insision under my breast, I don't want to look heavy but i want a small D, so i am debating on 375cc and 400cc?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Instead of worrying which of these two choices is better, you should be asking if EITHER of these will achieve a 2 cup-size increase! (Because I don't think they will.)

	Generally, it takes about 250cc to equal one bra cup size for your height, weight, and bra size, so you wil be adding about 1 1/2 cups to your present bra size--falling short of your goal size, and possible leading to the number one reason for re-operation after breast augmentation: new (larger) implants. And this costs about $3500 or more, depending on whether or not your surgeon charges a surgeon's fee for re-operations!

	If these are your only choices, the answer is easy: 400cc.

	But if you were my patient, I'd ask you to try on implants in a bra and stretchy top and not look at the numbers on the implants (because if you chose a 400cc implant, I would use 450-500cc in your body UNDER the muscle). Below the muscle has a much lower incidence of capsular contracture, less visibility of edges or ripples (even in silicone implants), a softer, more natural result, and quite low risk of activation distortion if fibers are properly released inferomedially and laterally. Less chance of an unsatisfactory complication and need for re-operation, and higher likelihood for the desired aesthetic result! Please do more research! Click on the link below. Best wishes!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.
	 
	I would suggest that you concentrate on achieving a certain &ldquo;look&rdquo;, not a specific cup size, with your breast augmentation surgery.
	Unfortunately,  no plastic surgeon is able to accurately predict what cup size you will end up wearing after breast augmentation with a certain size implant. As you know, you may end up wearing different bra cup sizes depending on who makes the bra.
	I would suggest that you communicate your goals with your plastic surgeon ( I prefer the use of goal pictures)  and ask him/her to do his/her best to achieve the results you're looking for.  You may want to leave it up to him/her to use a breast implant that he/she feels will do the job based on intraoperative evaluation.
	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 breast 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.
	Again, in my opinion, it is best to set your goals and  level of satisfaction with the results of surgery,  on achieving a certain look/proportionality,  not a specific cup size.
	I hope this helps.

Paul Gill, MD · Answer

25 cc is a very small difference that will be very difficult to decipher in almost any clothing.  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

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

These two implants are hardly different, so don't be too concerned about this part of your decision. Hopefully your surgeon feels that the width of those implants is appropriate for the width of your breast tissue. 

	 

	There are no fixed definitions of cup sizes, so when you try implants on in the office, see what looks good, and have your surgeon help choose the right size, which may be a bit larger than what you try tired on.

	Good luck to you.

William A. Wallace, MD, FACS · Answer

Bra sizes are confusing. More often than not, a woman is not wearing a correctly fitted bra, doesn't know her bra size, or doesn't know how a bra is fitted.

	Cup size is dependent on the "number" part of the bra size... a D cup in a 34 bra is a different size from a 42 bra.

	Outward projection is further determined by the "profile" of the implant. High school geometry: Height (projection) times Width (base width). A Higher Profile implant will give you a larger cup size for less volume than a Moderate Profile implant.

	Furthermore, a saline implant looks bigger than a silicone implant of the same volume. That is because a saline implant is more oval (round on both top and base), while a silicone implant is flat on the base.

	Some plastic surgery books have proposed the following parameters for breast augmentation:

	
		32 bra: 100-200 ml per cup size
	
		34 bra: 150-250 ml per cup size
	
		36 bra: 200-300 ml per cup size
	
		38 bra: 250-350 ml per cup size


	Using that as a guide line you should be able to get a rough estimate for the size implant you would need.

I'm a 34B, I Want a Small/mid D. Should I Go 375cc or 400cc?

Answers (6)

Answer: Choice of implant size.

Answer: Choice of implant size.

Answer: Which Implant will give me the best result?

Answer: Which Implant will give me the best result?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I'm a 34B, I Want a Small/mid D. Should I Go 375cc or 400cc?

Answers (6)

Answer: Choice of implant size.

Answer: Choice of implant size.

Answer: Which Implant will give me the best result?

Answer: Which Implant will give me the best result?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.