Choosing the Best Breast Implant Size

Choosing the Best Breast Implant Size CC for Your Frame

Undergoing a breast augmentation procedure is a process which requires a number of decisions to be made. Modern breast implants have a confusing selection of implant choices such as shape (round or teardrop), size or CC’s as well as profile (projection/shape) to consider. So many options can leave many patients confused with choosing the best size of breast implants for their breast enlargement procedure.

We know that a woman’s new breast size will have impacts on her relationships, social interactions as well as her physical wellbeing. This is why it’s so important that women are armed with the information needed to choose the right breast implant size. This blog provides resources, information and guidance to help you become confident when choosing the best breast implant size for you.

Breast implants measured in CCs

If you’ve been considering breast enhancement surgery, you may have heard the term CCs. This is the standardised medical measurement of breast implant sizes and differs from the notion of a cup size. The breast implant CC size (volume measured in cubic centimetres) provides a measurement of the total volume of the breast implant. So as you might have guessed, a higher CC equates to a bigger breast implant.

Breast implant CCs typically range from 200CC to 600CC but there is no standard recommendation for patients. As a rule of thumb, 200-300CC breast implants would be best used in a mini breast augmentation procedure, 300-400CC constitute a standard breast augmentation, and 400-500CC would be considered a very large breast augmentation. The most commonly implanted breast implant size at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery is 350CCs. Larger sizes are used in some cases but Dr Doyle typically does not exceed 550CC in his boob job (breast augmentation) patients.

Bra cups are sized A, B, C and up. As a guide, for approximately every 150-200 ccs, you can expect the breast cup size to increase around one to one and a half cup sizes. This is not a precise form of measurement as bra cup sizes vary significantly between different brands and manufacturers.

The breast implant CC size and profile (the projection or ‘height’) are the key breast augmentation decisions for an outcome that looks well proportioned. Getting this balance right is a daunting task, but it’s not one you’ll be making alone.

Dr Mark Doyle is a highly skilled Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He is an expert at helping patients, like you, decide what breast implant size will look great. And while he’s happy to advise you on what would work best, the decision is ultimately yours.

What implant size is right for me?

The way breast implants will look depends largely on your frame and overall body proportions. The following factors need to be considered for you to choose the right size implant for you:

• The amount of breast tissue you have currently
• What would appear aesthetically proportionate to your frame
• Your upper body measurements
• The distance between your nipples
• Your breast symmetry (in cases of asymmetry, two different size implants may be used)
• The level of sag (ptosis) of your breast
• Where the implant will be placed (above or below the muscle)

Dr Mark considers implants of 400CC or more to be large. However, implants above 270CC can be considered very large for some patients, and 200CC may even be considered large for a petite woman.

Drawbacks of implants that are ‘too small’

If you choose breast implants that are too small for your frame you may feel tempted to replace them with larger implants. This decision is typically made 6-12 months following your surgery once the tissue swelling subsides.

If you opt to undergo a second surgery to correct the initial size of your prosthetics, your scars may become more pronounced and you may experience delicate tissue damage from multiple surgeries. Multiple augmentation surgeries are best avoided if possible.

Drawbacks of implants that are ‘too large’

Bigger is not always better when it comes to breast implants. Large breast implants can look unnatural on patients with smaller body proportions. They’re also likely to require revision surgery later on due to complications such as your breast implant ‘bottoming out’ (always follow post-surgery instructions to minimise your risks).

Breast implants not only add shape and dimensions to your breast, but they add weight to your body. This can place stress on the breast skin required to hold them in place and result in your breasts sagging. It may also lead to undesirable back, neck and shoulder pain and impact your daily activities.

“For those patients considering having larger breast implants, I would advise them that having larger implants will increase the risk of the implants drooping due to gravity. Larger heavier implants are much more likely to give rise to complications and the need for further surgery,” says Dr Mark.

Furthermore, when it comes time to remove or replace your impacts, the breast skin may require a lift due to the skin stretching to accommodate the large breast implants. This is not just true for large implants, as all size implants will stretch the skin to some degree.

How will I know which implant size is ‘too big’ or ‘too small’?

Which implant shape and projection looks best

When undergoing breast enhancement surgery, you don’t just want your breasts to look bigger, you’ll also want them to look perkier, rounder, and fuller. There are many models and shapes of breasts implants, and they can generally be classified into two main shapes, round and anatomical:

Round breast implants have the advantage of providing more fullness, especially in the upper poles of your breasts. This makes them ideal for women who want round perky breasts with prominent cleavage. This implant shape is more popular among our patients.

Anatomical (teardrop) breast implants are implants that are shaped to look like natural breasts. They are usually teardrop-shaped; wide at the bottom poles, and slightly narrower at the upper poles. These implants are great for women who want a more natural look, however, they provide less fullness in the upper poles of your breasts.

“My surgical technique and implant choice both in terms of projection, size and round vs teardrop shapes, will change depending on whether patients desire a natural or fake look. The positioning of breast implants above or below the pectoral muscles will also affect the final result,” says Dr Mark.

It all comes down to what you hope to achieve by undergoing breast augmentation surgery, and only you can decide which breast implant size and shape will look best on you.

Dr Mark will help you make your decision using a variety of methods to help you visualise and experience what each implant CC will end up looking like on your overall physique. He will always advise on balance and proportion, two of the key defining factors for successful breast implant surgery.

Physical characteristics that impact your choice of breast implant size

Various factors such as the position of the nipples, the distance between the nipples plus the location of the centre of the breast mound all impact what your implants will look like once in your body.  The following physical characteristics will impact the best breast implant size for you:

• Where your breasts sit on your torso and rib cage (high or low)
• Whether your breasts have little or lots of natural cleavage
• If your breasts naturally point to the sides versus the front
• If your nipples face forward, sideways, up or down
• The symmetry of your breasts and nipples
• Whether your torso is petite or more athletic

These considerations will be discussed in detail in your initial consultation with Dr Mark.

How to know you’ve chosen the right size

It’s a difficult decision yet, it’s an important one that you’ll want to get right. To know you’ve chosen the right breast implant size consider the following:

Will you want to return to the surgical table in a year’s time? Going too small initially may make you consider a second surgery. Instead, consider a slightly larger breast implant to increase cleavage, upper breast fullness and ensure you’re happy with the enlargement.

Do you want your breast implants to look great for the next 20 years? Motiva brand implants last 20-25 years on average. If you decide on an implant that’s too large, you may need to remove or replace your implants before this recommended 20 year period. This is due to complications – sagging or ‘bottoming out’ – that can arise due to the sheer weight of your implants.

Do you want to feel comfortable when performing daily activities? Implants which are too large for your physique may impact the way you exercise by making it difficult to reach forward. This is why it’s important that your implants fit within your frame and are not too large for your body proportions.

Do you want obvious or subtle breast implants? Implants placed over the muscle tend to appear more rigid on the body, causing them to appear ‘cartoon-like.’ Under muscle placement of breast implants leads to a more natural and subtle appearance which is preferred for those who don’t wish everyone to know they’ve gone under the knife.

Best methods for decision making

• Choose the right surgeon for breast augmentation. A specialist plastic surgeon (FRACS) has five more years of surgical training than a cosmetic surgeon. They are specifically trained to perform invasive surgical procedures and provide more in terms of knowledge, skill and understanding of different surgical techniques.
• Use 3D imaging technology, Crisalix in your consultation to ‘try on’ different size implants.
• Wear breast fillers, if provided, to trial the size, shape and weight of your potential implants.

CCs in breast implant size choices and determining which is best for you

• CC’s refers to cubic centimetres of volume – not bra cup sizes
• CC’s are a standard, precise measurement without variance between brands
• There are tremendous variations in bra cup sizes. This makes it difficult for surgeons to visualise the size if you say, for example, “I want to be a D cup”.

How many CCs in a breast implant equate to a bra cup size?

Due to large variations between bra brands and manufacturers, bra cup sizes provide an inconsistent form of measurement. It’s best to be open to trialling various CC sizes to determine the right size, projection and shape for your physique. Everyone is different so what a certain sized implant will do to your physique will vary, based on numerous factors.

Which breast implants are recommended?

Dr Mark recommends Motiva breast implants. You can read more about this in our blog, Motiva Breast Implants and Why Dr Doyle Thinks They Are Best.

“Motiva nanotextured 6^th generation breast implants I believe are the best available implants. I was one of the first plastic surgeons in Australia to use these implants and have a lot of experience with their use,” says Dr Mark.

Always choose a Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Always make sure you check that your surgeon is an accredited Specialist Plastic Surgeon as opposed to a cosmetic surgeon. Your surgeon should have extensive surgical experience with breast augmentation for all ages and body types.

A specialist surgeon will always discuss the risks of surgery in detail with you so you’re informed before committing to surgery. They will also provide you with copious resources and information regarding breast augmentation and be able to perform the surgery to a high standard.

When it comes to breast augmentation surgery, the best decision making is based on a collaborative effort. Both you and your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will make an informed surgical decision together, in terms of implant CC size and how it will look on your overall physique. But ultimately, a good Plastic Surgeon will have technologies to help you decide; and offer recommendations based on their experience.

Choosing the best breast implant size

There are many characteristics and aspects of your body proportions that need to be factored into your breast implant size choice. By considering these in detail, alongside your specialist surgeon, you’ll be able to make a decision that will keep you happy for years to come.

To learn more, or to book a consultation, get in touch with Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.

Related Blogs

• Natural vs. Fake Boobs: 5 Ways to Get Natural-Looking Breasts 
• Choosing the Best Breast Implant Size CC for Your Frame 
• Mini Boob Job: Small Breast Implants for Petite Women
• Motiva Breast Implants and Why Dr Doyle Thinks They Are Best
• Nipple Reshaping and Areola Reduction: Who Is the Ideal Candidate, Benefits, and More 
• Combining Plastic Surgeries: When Can Multiple Procedures Be Combined? 

Medical References

• What Does “CC” Mean With Regards to Breast Implant Size? – Piedmont Plastic Surgery
• What Size Breast Implants Do I Need to Go Up One Cup? – The Swan Center Atlanta