Breast Implant Types and Sizes

Breast Implant Types and Sizes: Which CC is Right for You?

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For women considering breast augmentation surgery, the most researched topics on internet forums and social media are "which implant model is better" and "what the ideal size (CC) should be." Dozens of questions might be running through your mind, such as "Do teardrop implants look more natural than round ones?", "How many CCs should I get?", or "Which is the best brand?"

There is no need to get lost in this sea of information. In aesthetic surgery, there is no single universal truth; there is only the "right" choice that best suits your body anatomy, rib cage width, and existing breast tissue.

In our clinical practice, the most frequently asked question is, "Which is the best breast implant?" The answer is very clear: The best breast implant is one that is FDA-approved, comes with a lifetime warranty (cohesive gel), and most aesthetically complements your height, weight, shoulder width, and breast base diameter. Brand X or Volume Y does not yield perfect results for everyone.
"The approach of 'My friend got 350 CCs and it looks beautiful, so I want 350 CCs too' is medically misleading. While 350 CCs might look very small on a tall, broad-shouldered woman, the exact same 350 CCs can look disproportionately large on a petite woman with narrow shoulders. Implant selection is math; the surgeon must carefully measure the patient's tissue structure to determine the most ideal volume and shape." — Op. Dr. Ali Mezdegi

Let's explore all the details step-by-step, from what a breast implant is and who it is for, to implant shapes, CC sizes, and the post-surgery "softening and settling" (drop and fluff) process.

Breast Implants (Silicone) Selection: Quick Facts
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Primary Shapes Round and Teardrop (Anatomical)
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Volume Unit CC (Cubic Centimeter)
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Weight (1 CC = ?) Approximately equals 1 Gram
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Lifespan Lifetime (15-20+ years) unless issues arise
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Softening Time Starts noticeably around Month 3
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Full Settling Time Between 6 Months to 1 Year

What is a Breast Implant and Who is it For?

What is a breast implant? Known medically as a "breast implant" and colloquially as "silicone," it is a medical device consisting of a durable outer silicone shell filled with medical-grade cohesive (non-liquid, form-retaining) silicone gel. It is used to add volume, correct the shape, or reconstruct the breast.

Who gets breast implants? They are suitable for:

  • Women who genetically have naturally small breasts.
  • Women whose breasts have lost volume and deflated after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss.
  • Those with noticeable asymmetry (difference in size/shape) between their two breasts.
  • Patients seeking breast reconstruction after a mastectomy (breast cancer treatment). (Being at least 18 years old is a medical and legal requirement.)

Breast Implant Shapes and Models

Although the breast implant models used today vary based on their surface (smooth or textured/nano-textured) and profile (high, moderate, low profile), the aspect that interests patients the most is the difference between breast implant shapes:

  • Round Implants: These offer equal fullness in the upper and lower poles. They are ideal for patients desiring a noticeable fullness in the cleavage area (the upper part of the breast) and a "perkier" look. They wonderfully fill the upper portion, especially for women who already have some breast tissue and slight sagging.
  • Teardrop (Anatomical) Implants: These mimic the anatomical shape of a natural breast—thinner at the top and fuller at the bottom. They are primarily preferred for very thin patients with almost no existing breast tissue (a flat chest) who want an entirely "natural" look, making it unnoticeable that they have implants.

The Size Confusion: Breast Implant Sizes and CCs Explained

One of the most debated topics on forums is breast implant CCs and their gram equivalent.

In medicine, silicone sizes are not expressed by bra cup size (like 34B or 36C) but by a volume unit called "CC" (Cubic Centimeter). There is a wide range of sizes on the market, starting from 200 CC up to 600 CC and beyond. So, how many grams is a breast implant? Since the density of silicone gel is very close to that of water, 1 CC approximately equals 1 Gram in weight. This means a 300 CC implant weighs about 300 grams (adding a total of 600 grams to the chest for both breasts).

How is the Right CC Determined?
When determining breast implant sizes, it's not just about "how big" you want them to be; your rib cage diameter, the distance between your nipples, shoulder width, and skin elasticity are all calculated. A 400 CC implant might not fit a woman with narrow shoulders and a narrow rib cage, and it would not look aesthetically pleasing. During the consultation, your surgeon will recommend the CC range (e.g., between 300-350 CC) that your tissue can accommodate and that fits your body's "golden ratio."

Post-Surgery: When Do Breast Implants Soften and Settle?

Right after surgery, when the bandages are removed, your breasts will seem very swollen, sitting very high (almost near your collarbone), and feeling "rock hard." This is perfectly normal! It is not due to the hardness of the implant, but rather the spasm of the stretched chest muscle and surgical edema (swelling).

  • When do breast implants soften? The majority of the swelling resolves within the first month. As the stretched skin and muscle tissue slowly begin to yield, the breasts notably start to reach their natural softness from the 3rd month onwards.
  • When do breast implants settle? There is a process medically known as "Drop and Fluff." Over the months, aided by gravity, the high-sitting implant drops down into its pocket and naturally fills out (fluffs) the lower pole. Depending on the body's healing speed, it takes between 6 months to 1 year for the breast to take its final aesthetic form (teardrop shape) and fully settle into place.

How Many Years Do Breast Implants Last?

The myth that older generation saline or liquid silicones must be replaced every 10 years is no longer valid today. The 5th generation FDA-approved "Cohesive Gel" implants we use today are incredibly durable because the gel inside is non-liquid (it retains its shape even if cut in half).

How many years do breast implants last? Unless a medical issue arises, such as capsular contracture (the body rejecting the implant and forming a hard shell), an injury from a sharp/piercing object, a severe car accident (rupture), or the patient simply wanting a size change years later (revision need), the lifespan of silicone implants is theoretically a lifetime. There are millions of women who continue to use them without any issues even after 15-20 years.

Frequently Asked Questions: Breast Implant Types

There is no single "best" brand or shape in aesthetic surgery. The best implant is an FDA-approved, cohesive gel implant with a lifetime warranty, selected in a size that perfectly matches your rib cage, shoulder width, and anatomy.
For very thin patients with no breast tissue, teardrop (anatomical) implants look more natural. However, for patients with sufficient breast tissue or mild sagging, round implants wonderfully fill the cleavage area, providing a very natural perkiness.
The concept of CC (volume) looks completely different depending on the patient's height and rib cage width. While 400 CC might look quite natural and proportional on a tall, broad-shouldered person, the same size can look exaggeratedly large on a petite, narrow-shouldered individual.
For the first month after surgery, your breasts will be very firm due to surgical edema and muscle spasms. As the stretched skin and tissues begin to relax, the breasts notably start to regain their natural softness from the 3rd month onwards.
No. There is no such rule for new generation cohesive gel silicones. Unless a medical issue arises, such as capsular contracture or a rupture due to trauma, silicone implants can remain in the breast for a lifetime.
It can take between 6 months to 1 year for the initially high and swollen implant to fully drop into its pocket due to gravity, fill the lower pole (fluff), and take its final shape, depending on the patient's healing rate.
Yes, you can breastfeed. Because the silicone implant is placed behind the mammary gland (milk ducts) or under the chest muscle, it does not damage the milk ducts or prevent the production of breast milk.
New generation FDA-approved silicones are made from a very dense and sticky material called "cohesive gel." Even if cut in half, they do not leak and retain their shape. Unless there is a very severe accident, there is no risk of them bursting.
This decision is based on the thickness of your breast tissue. For very thin patients with little breast tissue and subcutaneous fat, under-the-muscle is preferred so the implant is not visible. For patients with sufficient tissue, over-the-muscle is much more comfortable.
No, they do not. Ultrasounds or MRIs can be easily performed on patients with implants. During a mammogram, the radiology technician pushes the implant back to image only the breast tissue. You just need to inform your doctor that you have implants.
Op. Dr. Ali Mezdegi - Plastic Surgeon Istanbul

Author: Op. Dr. Ali Mezdegi

Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Specialist

Throughout his quarter-century surgical career, Op. Dr. Ali Mezdegi has embraced the principle of personalized planning (anatomical proportion) in breast aesthetics. By blending the patient's height, weight, and rib cage measurements with the golden ratio, he is committed to providing natural, permanent, and healthy results using FDA-approved implants in the most appropriate shape and CC for his patients in Istanbul.

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Medical Review & Approval: The content of this guide on "Breast Implant Types and Sizes" was last updated on September 7, 2026. It has been meticulously reviewed and approved for surgical accuracy, implant technologies, and modern recovery standards by Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Ali Mezdegi.