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“Just tell me the CCs” sounds simple until real anatomy enters the chat.
On the Plastic Surgeon Podcast, a pattern shows up again and again: patients often think implant size is a single number, but outcomes depend on a mix of measurements, implant dimensions, and what the body can safely support. In one episode, a guest assumed she would need 600cc+ because she was starting small, but her surgeon recommended 440cc to better fit her frame. That one story captures the bigger truth behind this post:
Two implants can have the same volume and still look noticeably different, and two patients can choose “similar sizes” and end up with totally different results. Below are the key takeaways on why implant size isn’t always equal.
CCs measure volume, not shape. Volume alone can’t tell you:
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons explains this clearly in its discussion of implant profiles: implants can have the same cc volume but different widths, which changes how much they project.
Furthermore, the implant profile reflects a combination of base diameter, projection, and volume, and it’s not the same thing as projection alone.
Bottom line: 400cc is not a universal “look.” It’s a measurement that behaves differently depending on the implant’s dimensions and the patient’s anatomy.
One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming higher CC automatically means “bigger everywhere.” In reality, profile choices can shift where the volume appears.
Breast profile is described as how much the implant projects forward when standing and notes that smaller base width can increase projection compared to wider base implants at the same volume.
That’s why two people can say they both got “450cc,” yet one looks wider and softer while the other looks more projected and rounded.
Practical takeaway: “Implant size” should be discussed in dimensions, not just in cc.
A theme that stands out in our plastic surgery podcast episodes is that the best outcomes come from matching the implant to the body, not forcing the body to match the implant.
In Episode 17, the guest believed she would need 600cc or higher, but the surgeon recommended 440cc to better fit her frame. This reflects what evidence-based planning tries to do: select an implant that fits within safe, realistic boundaries based on tissue and measurements.
ASPS has also summarized research suggesting that implant selection systems based on breast tissue measurements may produce better outcomes than selection based purely on preference.
Practical takeaway: The “right size” is constrained by chest width, tissue characteristics, and long-term stability, not just preference.
Another big lesson: symmetry sometimes requires two different implants.
Episode 24 of the Plastic Surgeon Podcast highlights this directly: the guest opted for two different size implants to better address asymmetry and achieve a result that matched her body. Even ASPS notes that breast augmentation can be used to improve natural asymmetry.
Practical takeaway: Matching implants (same size) isn’t always the most symmetrical plan.
Patients often speak in cup sizes and CCs because they feel tangible. Surgeons tend to speak in dimensions because they predict outcomes more reliably.
In Episode 15, the guest tried sizers, liked a certain shape, and ultimately selected 495cc medium height, high profile, anatomical (“gummy bear”) implants after discussing goals and a preferred range.
That line alone reinforces the core point: size is not a single variable. Height, profile, shape, and how the implant fits the chest all influence the final result.
The biggest implant isn’t always the best implant if it creates a higher chance of:
This is also where safety and informed consent matter. The FDA emphasizes that breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the longer someone has implants, the more likely removal or replacement becomes. The FDA also strengthened requirements around risk communication, including a patient decision checklist that must be reviewed and signed.
Practical takeaway: “What looks good now” should be weighed against “what stays stable later.”
Based on the recurring themes across our plastic surgery podcast and what authoritative sources emphasize, a more useful conversation with a surgeon usually includes:
This is also why sizers and range-based decisions tend to work better than obsessing over one exact number. The number is only meaningful in context.
If you’ve been searching for podcasts about plastic surgery, you’re at the right place. The conversations on our cosmetic surgery podcast go far beyond implant sizing. Each episode dives deep into the real-world decisions, patient stories, and expert insights that shape modern plastic surgery. Listen to the complete stories behind the insights.