I'm a 32A/AA, but I want to be a C cup. My surgeon said he will only give me 240cc due to little elasticity in my skin. What size will 240cc give me?! I really want to go a little bigger. I'm 5'4" and 7 stone 1??? What do I do? Will they appear bigger under the muscle or over?!
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 Victoria Secret is not necessarily transferable to another brand.
Another point that is often underappreciated is that of anatomy and starting point. Any implant will add volume to the volume that is already present; the implant is additive. A particular volume will not necessarily confer the same cup size to different patients. Oftentimes, 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 that 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. The key to obtaining a natural result is to stay within the parameters defined by your breast width diameter (BWD). This will ensure that you avoid the dreaded "fake" look.
Based upon your frame, conservative sizing is best if you are seeking a "natural" result. To a certain extent, your upper limit will be defined by what your skin envelope can accommodate. That being said, it is best to stick to the parameters as defined by your BWD rather than challenge the limits of your skins ability to stretch.
Additionally, the placement plane will impact the shape more than the volume. Submuscular implants will tend to have a more natural slope and slightly less projection due to the pressure of the overlying muscle. Subglandular implants have a more "augmented" appearance with rounding in the upper pole.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Bra sizes vary from store to store. If the implant matches your BWD, then you will look good. Your surgeon is trying to avoid giving you a distorted look. After the skin stretches some, you can most likely put in a larger implant.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, it is likely to appear too small. 200 cc's is, on average, a bra cup size. Therefore, a patient of your dimensions would typically be greatly satisfied with a larger implant. Consider high profile silicone implants to minimize visible and palpable ripples. Allergan has a very nice cohesive gel implant that is soft, but solid (not liquid), and we use it for patients with very little breast tissue such as this.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I don't think 240 cc's will make you a C-cup. Implants appear about 50cc smaller when placed under the muscle.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is very difficult to determine the exact size and shape implant you will require to best match your ideal breast image without an examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Not just any board-certified plastic surgeon, but one with many years of frequently performing breast augmentation surgery including different approaches, techniques and implant choices. This is because several measurements not to mention your breast characteristics are needed to determine the optimal implant size to obtain your goals. Without knowing these dimensions it would be difficult to make this determination. For example, the existing base width of your breast will determine, in many cases, the maximal volume per implant profile that you can accommodate. To illustrate: a 100 cc difference may make a significant difference with a narrow base width breast, but much less of a difference if you have a wide chest wall and wide breast “foot print”. Therefore, just because your friend may have a great result with let’s say a 240 cc implant to make her go from a “A” cup to a “C” cup size does not mean that you will have the same result with the same size implant. . Further, simply placing implants in a bra to determine the size best for you is not always accurate as the bra often distorts the size is dependent on the pressure the bra places, plus the implant is outside your breast and not under it among other variables. Computer software morphing programs that automatically determine the best implant size can be helpful in some but not all cases (e.g. doesn’t work well in my experience with existing implants, sagging or asymmetric breasts). Using “want-to-be” photos, however, are useful if simply provided to the surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
About every 120-150cc increase will give you a cup size increase. Under the muscle gives you more of bulging on top and, in my experience, looks less natural. But if you have hardly any breast tissue, it may be better to cover the implant and make it less visible.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Although useful as rough guidelines and as communication tools, all the modalities currently used to predict what breast implant size/profile will best achieve a patient's goals with breast augmentation are NOT very accurate, in my opinion. The use of the rice test, sizers placed beneath a patient's bra, goal pictures and computer imaging technology, are all useful but not necessarily as accurate as one would hope. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or "full B, small C cup” etc. means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice. I do not recommend over the muscle placement.
In my opinion, nothing will replace careful verbal preoperative communication with your plastic surgeon, preferably in front of a full-length mirror along with the use of as many "communication" tools” listed above.
In my practice, I use all of the above modalities and then use intraoperative temporary sizers to help determine the best breast implant size/profile to achieve a patient's specific goals as closely as possible. For this reason, I think it is helpful to have the entire range of breast implant sizes/profiles available in the operating room.
Achieving realistic expectations prior to proceeding to the operating room is also an important part of the preoperative communication process. Patients should be aware that the results of their breast augmentation will not necessarily match exactly what they are visualizing with anyone of the above-mentioned communication tools.
Best wishes. Hopefully you will be very pleased with the outcome of the planned procedure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your body has it's own limitations that each surgeon takes into consideration to give you a safe and reasonable treatment. Surgeons take measurements and from there evaluate the different shapes and sizes of implants that you are a candidate for. 3D imaging can also be helpful for you to visualize your results. Often times patients find it helpful to have multiple consultations to have different options available. I'd encourage you to ask the surgeon you saw about why and perhaps seek other opinions just so you have enough information to make the best decision that is right and safe for you. If you need help finding other plastic surgeons in your area, we recommend that you go to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and look up a surgeon in your area. Best of luck!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Please don't be hung up on wanting a certain cup size, it's more important to choose a size that fits you and balances you. 240 cc's will give you a 1 1/2 cup increase or a full B. I almost always recommend under the muscle and high profile saline. Try 230 filled to 275 cc's.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A cup size is not an exact measurement, it depends on your body frame. Given your current size (32A/AA) and what you want to achieve, you should go up 2 cup sizes (125 cc's equates to one cup size). I would encourage you to discuss this with your surgeon. You may consider a second opinion.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I would go for another opinion, for this is not (and should not be) your only option. Better to proceed with advice from other plastic surgeons to get what you want. Proceed with caution.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Go to another surgeon. You state that you only want to be a C-cup, but you want to go to a larger implant--I'm confused. C-Cup is a relative size for the most part. Some bra manufacturers, such as Victoria's Secret, don't make an A-Cup, but rather start at a B. Therefore, a B cup at Victoria's might be smaller than a B cup elsewhere. I would discuss size with a surgeon whom you trust and go for it. Always go larger. In the US, in over 32 years of practice, I have only made 1 woman too large. All the others who came in wanting to be a C-cup ALL came back and had regrets they hadn't go larger. Best of luck.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Breast implant sizing is very individual. About 200 cc is one cup size. Going over the muscle will appear larger. A higher profile may give more volume, but 240 cc is low for that desired cup size.
Published on Jul 11, 2012