Sizing my implants - hoping for a perky C cup, will 400 CC be too big for me? (Photo)

Dear khiggs25,

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

Because cup sizes aren’t standardized it would be best to bring in a bra in the size you’re hoping to be a try on 400cc to see if you’ll achieve your desired increase.

By the way, are you getting a lift too? Your nipples appear to be located below your breast fold. Without a lift, you won’t get the perky result you’re hoping for.

Thanks for your question! My guess is that you have about a C cup of volume as it is. With a lift and an implant that size, my guess is you will push beyond a C cup, but that's okay. You're taller and can accommodate more implant. If you haven't tried them on yet, I would suggest doing so. Good luck!

At 5’7 and 175 pounds, implant size is best judged not by the number of ccs alone but by how it matches your chest width and breast base. A 400cc implant can look natural on someone with your proportions if the implant diameter is chosen correctly for your breast base.
Your surgeon’s point about implant diameter is important. If the implant is too narrow it can look small and leave empty space on the sides of the breast. If it is too wide it can look artificial. The goal is balance between width, projection and your desired cup size.
Above the muscle placement can create a fuller look, so discussing photos of the size and shape you like with your surgeon is the most reliable way to confirm if 400cc will match your wish for a perky C cup rather than a larger appearance.
I hope this helps guide your decision with confidence and peace of mind before your surgery
— Güray Yesiladali, MD

This is a really thoughtful question, and it shows you’re carefully considering your goals, which is so important before surgery.
At 5’7” and 175 pounds, a 400 cc implant can be very proportionate, especially if your natural breast base diameter (the width of your breast) is on the larger side. Implant sizing isn’t just about volume in cc’s, it’s also about choosing an implant that matches your chest and breast width so the implant fills the space naturally. If the implant is too narrow, it can look small relative to your frame, and if it’s too wide, it can create issues with positioning. That’s why your surgeon mentioned the concern about going smaller, smaller-volume implants often come with narrower diameters that may not match your breast width well.
You also mentioned that your surgeon recommends going above the muscle (subglandular placement) rather than under. This can be the right choice in women who have enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant, or in situations where under-the-muscle placement may not be ideal. With subglandular implants, the implant tends to show a bit more of its actual shape, so choosing the correct size and profile is particularly important to create a smooth, natural result.
A “middle, perky C cup” is a very realistic and achievable goal. Keep in mind that cup size after augmentation varies a lot depending on your starting tissue, chest width, implant profile, and bra brand, so it’s not an exact science. For some women, 400 cc lands right around a full C, for others, it’s closer to a D. The best way to gauge is by doing in-office sizing with implant sizers or 3D imaging, since that shows you how 400 cc will look on your frame.
Your surgeon’s advice makes sense, and 400 cc is not automatically “too big” for your height, weight, and breast dimensions. If your main concern is not being “super large,” I’d encourage you to review sizing photos and try sizers again in the office before your surgery date. That way, you’ll feel confident that the implant size matches your vision.

Hi, and thank you for sharing your photo. Obviously, I trust your surgeon's evaluation in person; however, based on the photo and ptosis (breast drooping), I can appreciate that you might also need a breast lift, especially if you are looking for a "perky" look. Good luck.

Thank you for your question. Based on your height and weight, a 400cc implant placed above the muscle can provide a natural, moderately full appearance that aligns with your goal of achieving a perky, middle-sized C cup. The surgeon’s recommendation to avoid submuscular placement is appropriate if your anatomy does not support it, as above-the-muscle placement can offer a quicker recovery and a more natural shape in certain cases. Choosing an implant size significantly smaller than 400cc might result in a diameter that does not adequately fill your breast base, potentially leading to less satisfactory aesthetics. Ultimately, implant selection balances volume, base width, and projection to best suit your body and desired outcome, so trusting your surgeon’s expertise while communicating your aesthetic goals is key to a successful result.

At size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. At size 36 or 38, each 200 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. From this, you can determine the volume required to achieve your desired goal.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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.
Based upon your photos alone, your choice doesn't seem unreasonable. However, without measurements or exam it is difficult to offer any real advice.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

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