Without a direct examination, it is impossible to say what will work best for you. However, a 350cc HP should provide you with the rounder, push-up look with a narrow frame. I would discuss this with your board-certified plastic surgeon if you have any doubts but sounds realistic for your goals.

I hope this helps,

Christopher Pelletiere, MD

Published on Jul 11, 2012

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. 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 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 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. A high profile device is advised if you are seeking greater volume in a more limited/narrow space.

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

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Trust your plastic surgeon; there is a reason that you have chosen him/her.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

A forum like this is an excellent source of information; however, it does not serve as a consultation. I'm not sure what you mean when you say that with an "A-cup" you have a good amount of cleavage. However, with the numbers that you give, a 350 hi-profile would seem to be a good fit. Make sure you discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I'm only familiar with Mentor, which comes in 310, 330, 380 in hi profile. Perhaps there is a 350 in other brands? Mentor 350 is not hi profile and I never recommend mod profile implants. A 2-cup jump would require 375-400 cc's. Make sure they are going to be placed under the muscle.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Hello and thank you for your question! I want to start off by telling you what I tell many of my patients: Do not focus on cc's or bra sizes as many women see their friend with "x" number of cc implants etc and think that they have an idea of what they want. There is a lot that goes into implant selection -- your breast volume, the amount of cleavage you want to achieve, your base width, your rib shape/projection, etc.

Without seeing you and doing your measurements, it is difficult to assess accurately your final breast size or shape. Please also keep in mind that when it comes to bra sizes, most women are not accurately sized for their bras.

The most important thing to consider is really the size and look that is appealing to YOU with the implants you choose. Many surgeons have sizing models whether using bras with implants or computer simulation. I encourage you to discuss with your surgeon many of these considerations when deciding which implant and size to use during your surgery.

Additionally, a breast implant is a round object and has a certain diameter. Your base width on each side of your chest will determine "how big of a ball" or what diameter implant you can reliably go up to with a socially acceptable cosmetic outcome. The implant will "augment" or increase the size of your breasts to an amount acceptable to you and your surgeon. Each person has a unique base width and this measurement has no correlation with height and weight.

My own patients will try on a sports bra and then we pick the implants based on their measured breast base width. For example, if your base width were to support for example up to a 400cc implant, I would have you try on the 400cc implants in the bra and then the 385cc or 350cc implants and afterwards select the implant that made YOU the happiest. In reality, don't stress too much as this is not a HUGE difference and should be the fun part of the process.

Go with what is acceptable based on your measurements and makes you happiest and make sure to weigh the pros and cons of the options you are considering. You can also compare the moderate profile with high profile implants and see which look you like most.

The profile of the implant will determine how much upper pole fullness and overall projection you portray. In my opinion, in a patient like yourself who desires the push-up bra type of cleavage even when not wearing the bra , high profile implants will give the breasts a nice shape for augmentation, but it depends on your preferences. Placing the implants under the muscle is usually better for longevity and decreased chances for rippling and capsular contracture; it also gives a more natural appearance.

Make sure to seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in aesthetic breast surgery. I hope this helps answer your question and if you are uncertain about the recommendations made by the surgeon you met with recently, I encourage you to get further consultations. I wish the best of luck to you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Your doctor should be able to show you photographs demonstrating the examples of what to expect based on your physical appearance.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The plan described by your plastic surgeon sounds reasonable. A narrow chest wall limits your options if you want to go up 2-3 cup sizes, and typically high profile implants would be required to meet your size goals. In some patients, high profile implants look quite natural, and in others they look more augmented than natural. Without seeing you in person, there is no way to offer advice on this aspect. You also didn't mention if you were planning to get silicone or saline implants. Generally speaking, silicone implants look more natural in a patient with minimal breast tissue.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. The size and profile of the silicone implant that is selected by your plastic surgeon is best determined by your breast measurements, breast tissue thickness, and tissue stretch. If your are narrow and wish to have a significant size increase, then a higher projecting implant (high profile) would most likely provide you with the look you desire. You may want to discuss your measurements and the specific implant diameter and projection with your plastic surgeon to achieve the best results for your body type.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

On average, approximately 150 mL increase in size is an increase of one cup size. Therefore, a 350 cc implant will closely increase you 1.5 to 2 cup sizes. This is a general rule of thumb. I suggest you express your concerns to your plastic surgeon and trust his or her recommendations relative to your goals and expectations.

Best wishes,
Dr Ravi Somayazula

Published on Jul 11, 2012

350 sounds about right. There are different websites, such as implantinfo.com, where you can see before and after photos of women about your size. This should give you a better idea of what you will look like. I use an imaging system that is accurate within about 15%. Ask your PS for his advice

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for the question. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.

Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:

1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals.
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. For example,
I have found that the use of words such as "C or small D cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him 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.
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery, after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.

I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes.
Tom Pousti MD
www.PoustiPlasticSurgery.com

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sounds like your surgeon is going under the muscle, but a nice technique to improve cleavage to your breast is to consider some autologous fat grafting, say from your tummy to your medial breast areas, to improve cleavage.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It is difficult to answer your questions without actually examining you, but I can give you some general ideas that may help you. When you don't have much breast tissue or breast shape, you will tend to take on more of the rounded breast implant look simply because the implant is now the main driver of your breast shape. It is creating a bigger impact on the shape then your natural breast tissue. The bigger you go with implant size, the more obvious the impact. Given this, the shape of the implant that you choose is important. In my opinion, the more rounded shape of a high profile implant tends to produce a more obviously augmented look than a moderate or low profile implant. The most natural look would be from a shaped 410 implant. These implants are actually shaped like a breast, with most of the volume at the bottom of the implant. For patients who now have real shape and who want to look natural, I prefer this implant. The only caveat is that it does not produce as much upper pole fullness as a round implant. This is what most of my patients seem to want. As far as cup size, I would suspect that a 350cc implant will make you a C cup. If you are really narrow chested you could even be in a DD to DDD bra after surgery. I have seen this with even smaller volume implants in narrow chested women. This has more to do with how bra's are made then the patient looking like a DD or DDD. Narrrow shested, small girls are not typically large chested and bra manufactures seem to exponentially increase cup size with modest increase in actual breast size. It would be nice if we could stop judding breasts based on letters of the alphabet. What is important is how you look after your augmentation not what cup size you fit into. If you love the way you look, what difference does it make? I hope this gives you some direction.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It sounds like your surgeon has taken your body type and chest measurements into account and found the best size he or she feels will give you the result you want. 350cc sized implants are very popular in my practice for women who want to be a full C cup. Remember, however, there is no standardization of bra sizes, so you may fit into a C cup in some bras but a D or DD in bras made by other manufacturers. You should be able to gain fullness and cleavage with what you have described.

Published on Jul 11, 2012