Implant size is not chosen from a cup size. It is chosen from the width of your chest, and specifically from the base width of your own breast. That measurement sets the range of implants that will fit you; everything else — projection, volume, the look you are after — is decided inside that range.
A surgeon who starts from a number of cubic centimetres, or from a photograph of someone else, is working backwards.
The three measurements that decide it
| Measurement | What it governs |
|---|---|
| Breast base width | The maximum implant width that will sit on your chest without spilling into the armpit or crossing the midline |
| Soft tissue cover | How much of your own tissue is available to hide the implant edge; thin cover shows more |
| Nipple position and skin | Whether an implant alone is enough, or whether a lift is also needed |
Once the width is fixed, choosing a higher profile is how extra volume is added — the implant projects further forward rather than spreading wider.
Why cup size is not a plan
Bra sizing is not standardised between brands, and the same volume looks different on different frames. Dr Kumar will talk with you about proportion, about what you want to be able to wear, and about how much projection you want — then translate that into a volume and profile that your anatomy allows. He will not promise you a letter.
What happens if you go too big
This is the conversation worth having before surgery rather than after. An implant wider than your breast base, or heavier than your tissue can support, brings consequences that show up over years rather than weeks:
- Stretching of the skin and descent of the breast, so a lift is needed sooner
- Thinning of the tissue over the implant, making edges and rippling visible
- Widening or lateral displacement, particularly when lying down
- More strain on the back and shoulders — the same complaint that brings reduction patients in
- A higher likelihood of further surgery over a lifetime
Dr Kumar will tell you where he thinks the sensible ceiling is for your tissue and will say so plainly if what you are asking for sits beyond it.
Sizing at the consultation
Measurements and photographs are taken, and sizers are used so you can see the volume on your own frame rather than imagine it. Bring a plain, close-fitting top to the appointment — it is more useful than any photograph, because it shows what the result will look like clothed, which is how you will see it most of the time.
Where Dr Kumar places the implant also affects the appearance of a given size: he uses an incision in the inframammary fold and generally places implants under the muscle, usually as a dual plane, which gives more cover over the upper edge. See over or under the muscle.
Common questions
How many cc is one cup size? Very roughly 150 to 200cc on an average frame, but it varies enough with chest width that it is a conversational guide only.
Can I try sizes in a bra at home? It helps with the idea of volume. It does not account for tissue cover or for the implant sitting under the muscle, so treat it as indicative.
Will a bigger implant need replacing sooner? Implants do not have a fixed lifespan, but larger implants put more load on the tissue, which is associated with more revision surgery over time. When implants need replacing.
Do I need a lift as well? If the nipple sits at or below the fold, probably. Breast lift with implants.
Does Medicare contribute? Augmentation for cosmetic reasons attracts no rebate. Item 45524 exists only for augmentation in the context of breast cancer or a developmental abnormality with a documented volume difference.
Next step
Sizing is done with measurements and sizers in the room, not over the phone. Bring a GP referral — it is required to see Dr Kumar — and a close-fitting top. Call 1300 267 726 or request a call from his nursing team. More about breast augmentation, implant types and the risks.
The initial consultation with Dr Kumar is $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 where you have a GP referral. Surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation, in a written itemised quote.
All surgery carries risks, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar.
Implant size and implant type are separate decisions. For the differences between round and teardrop, and between silicone and saline, see breast implant types.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
