How many cc"s = bra size?

DonnaAB

Expanders now 750 cc and 800 cc. Was a 38D and want to be a 36C, but with broad back, I don't know. I feel very round and the expansion seems to be too much under my arms. Everything is flat and round and not much protrusion ... I am still stuffing my bras with fiberfill to achieve a more natural look. I told PS that I wanted to be smaller and each time he does a fill he doesn't really tell me and how much more to expect? My next appointment is Monday and I want to stop the fills if I'm getting too big but I don't really know where I should be to get the desired effect. I hate the fullness on my sides under my arms .. it feels so unnatural. Is this necessary to stretch enough skin to cover the implant? Appreciate any help before Monday PM so I know what to ask and what to expect.

donna

Sandra1957

A lot depends on height, weight, width, etc.

I was a 38D/DD prior to bilateral masts., but was also 25 lbs. heavier. I've since lost that weight and down to size 6 and 5'3, but I have a wide back, shoulders, and chest. I was expanded to 500 ccs and they looked pretty good in clothes. I had my exchange two weeks ago for 500's and they are smallish to me. I guess not small, maybe just not as up in your face as the expanders. They're much more natural looking. Probably could have gone a little bigger, but actually really like them today with what I'm wearing. Had I gone bigger I would probably look like a football player and definitely couldn't have worn some of the cuter tops out there right now. So I'm giving it some time to get used to. My PS was quite pleased with his work.

I haven't been bra shopping yet, not sure what my cup size will be. I'm thinking it might be 36B or C depending on the bra and cup. I've been kind of caught up on cup size and maybe need to focus more on comfort in bras and clothing and how they look, rather than being a "C" cup. My D's made me quite matronly looking and these new ones are quite fresh looking. LOL!!

Best to you,

lini

Sandra1957

Donna ~ I'm wondering if he made the pocket too wide and the expanders are spreading out too much. When I started my process I emphasized that I wanted mine narrower on my chest. That I'd rather have smaller, narrow than bigger and flatter. My expanders didn't cut into my sides or arms, but they were up in my face and stuck out.

rubytuesday

Donna, Your band size won't change because of your expanders/implants. Your band size is measured around your rib cage + 4 inches (if it's an even number) OR +5 inches (if it's an odd number). The CCs look different on everybody because of your height, weight, shape of your ribcage and style of implant. I was expanded to 370cc. I liked the projection and width of my expander so I told my PS I wanted my implant to be those dimensions (NOT CCs). I ended up with 421cc smooth, round, silicone, midrange implant and couldn't be happier. I am a small, perky D....probably look more like a C in clothes. My PS kept an eye on my expander to make sure I wasn't getting "arm-pit-boob". Talk to your PS and ask what he has in mind. Let him know what you like and what you don't so that you aren't disappointed after your exchange. Best wishes!
P.S. I am 5'4" and weigh 113.

skeetur

My expanders had a much wider base then my actual implants which I got put in last week. My doc told me that the expanders don't come in many sizes like implants do.

I think that there isn't an easy equation for ccs to bra size. I believe I had 150 ccs put in at time of expanders. Then 3 fills of 60 ccs. So that is 330 ccs and it appears I'm a good size C or D.

Kathy

LiveForToday

Kathy, my experience was similar to yours. I am 5'5' and weigh 130 lbs. I was expanded to only 300cc's but my implants were 575cc's. I am probably a D cup which is what I asked for. I do remember however that the expander was way up on my chest and also under my arm. Everything seemed to fall into place with the implants though.

Donna, communication is most important with your ps. Tell him exactly what you are expecting and his experience should dictate your outcome!

huggs, Sherry

Meredyth

Wow, what great information from all of you! My surgery to just get my expanders put in is scheduled for August 13 (double mast on May 4). I have learned so much about what I need to discuss with my PS from reading what you all had to say. Thanks so much Donna for posting the question as it sure helped me too!
Meredith

barbara913

kathy,
love your tat!!
i have a butterfly incorporated w/ a pink ribbon on the inside of my left wrist. i got it 1 yr. from my diagnosis day on the side they found the cancer.
where is yours?
barbara

AnneMomof4

What a great topic---never would have thought to ask it. I guess that's why I hang around here. Thanks for all of the info and for the question from Donna!


Anne

leener

Nothing related to the topic except the reference to the tat. I am very proud of my Irish heritage. St. Patrick used the shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity while spreading the word of Christianity in the very early days of Ireland. In keeping with my strong connection to the Irish part of my heritage, I have decided to get a shamrock tatooed somewhere on the breast when I am all done which will symbolize the friends, family and strangers that helped me both directly and indirectly in my battle against cancer. One leaf representing each group contributing to my battle.

Chattypatti

CCs don't equate to bra size since rib size makes a difference. I was expanded to 375ccs and my implant was 350ccs. My bra size is 34C. My expander went under my arm too, but the implant is fine. Don't be afraid to ask your ps questions and remind him what you want.
Patti

DonnaAB

I've been out of pocket, computer died over weekend, but just got back online and read everyone's input. Thanks so much for all the information; I am better prepared for this afternoon's appt. My assessment is that my PS needs to address any and all questions and that I should have a good understanding of where we are going (and what I can expect with implants with respect to final size) when I leave his office. He's very skilled but not too patient talkative so I will have to draw him out and make sure he hears my viewpoint. Thanks again to everyone.

DonnaAB

OK, back from PS. Here's his answer. He says the amount of expansion is related to your individual shape and rib cage size. And he sized my expanders to be the largest of 900 cc because of my rib cage size and although he might not fill to that amount, he has that option. He says implants will be smaller. He says with the fills I get rounder but that the projection is not in proportion. He says to get the projection (and fullness on the top so I will never have much cleavage) is much harder as he is dealing with the mastectomy scars which limit the expansion outward. He says that the fullness I have under my armpit will somewhat go away but I had fullness there before the mastectomy (funny that I never really thought about that!!!) He says it seems exaggerated now because it is so hard and tight. He also says that it is a real challenge with larger women-larger boned, who had large breasts and who want to be the same size after implants since the largest expander is 900 cc. So as it stands now I don't know what cup size I will be but will have a band size of 38 since that is what I was before. I think I had my last fills today.

Donna

Twiceblessed

The expanders are just that to expand the tissue.  It isnt necessarily exactly what your finished breasts will look like.  Which in some cases is a really good thing  It is great the doctor had the expander with such a large cc capacity so that you can be the one to decide when it is filled enough.  I can say from my first time with expanders they were uncomfortable, hard looking and they just didnt hang right.  But when they were taken out and replaced with saline implants they looked much more "normal" looking as opposed to the tissue expanders.  I think the finished product was smaller than what the expanders looked like too.  I was a little surprised at that cause I thought they would be the same size.  When I went to talk to PS I was a 36DDD and told him I wanted to be a 36C.  He said ok but I will put in expanders and fill it till when you think you are the size you would like to be.  I am so thankful he did this!  36C on me looked like mesquito bites!  LOL.  I do not know what cup size I am since my only request with the PS was to make it so I do not need to wear a bra.  And that the dear man did!  One other thought.  When I had my implants placed I was much thinner.  But over the years I had gained some weight.  My implants did not.  

But DonnaAB it is awesome that you are asking questions, alot of questions and pressing the PS.  It is your body and you need to do what you want to feel comfortable.  How do you feel in your clothes?

Beesie

Twiceblessed, you've found a thread from 2007.   Looking at her profile, DonnaAB hasn't signed onto this site since November of 2007, so I'm guessing you aren't going to get an answer from her. 

There is another great thread about implant sizing that is on-going and current: 

Topic: BREAST IMPLANT SIZING 101

Courtneyrivera

what is your height, weight, and band size

wallan

I had size 560cc implants on one side and 485 cc on other side. The implants are smooth and round and high projection.

I was a small B with a 38" ribcage before. Now I am about a small C I think. But its hard to tell because i am still wearing the surgical bra and things are still settling. I wish i was bigger I must admit. The PS said size was limited due to the radiated side and the mastectomy scar on that side. She also said that bigger implants are heavier and can cause back issues if you were not bigger to begin with.

I had to have different sized implants on each side due to mastectomies at different times and rads on the one size 14 years ago. They do look very symmetrical and even. The reconstruction is a nice job. Just not as big as I wanted.

Over all though, I am content.

wallan