One of the most obvious differences in women from all over the globe is their desired breast implant size. Some areas of the country tend to go for more natural, smaller breasts, while others prefer cup sizes bigger than a D-Cup. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Mark Elliot and Dr. Holly Wall discuss the different breast sizes favored and how to appropriately address each patient’s demands when it comes to the implant size that’s right for their body.
By Dr. Mark Elliot, MD & Dr. Holly Casey Wall, MD
and Susan Kamyab
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com
The World’s Average Breast Cup Size
It’s absolutely true; women from certain regions of the country prefer a larger breast size. “Typically people from the Northeast segment of the U.S. choose smaller sizes. As we head more toward the West, implants traditionally get bigger,” says Dr. Wall. As you look at the comparison between other continent’s breast cup size below, you can see how some countries differ drastically as well.
North America: Between C and D- Cups
South America: C-Cups
Europe: C-Cup
Africa: Between A and B- Cups
Australia: C-Cups
Asia: Larger than D-Cups
Right Decision VS Popular Demand
For example, a woman who is 5’6, and weighs about 130 pounds and wants to turn her natural 34B breasts into larger 34DD breasts may run into problems down the road. Dr. Holly Wall who practices in Shreveport, Louisiana says, “the dramatic change in size by the implant to the breast may overstretch the tissue and thus appear less natural. As that patient gets older the tissue will thin, and if she wants to reduce her implant size, it will be very difficult to do so without adding additional scars from a breast lift.”
It’s better to start with a smaller cup size. If you later decide to go bigger, it will be easier to replace implants through your already existing incisions without having to add new scars. Elliott says patients need to have a candid discussion with their surgeons about the pros and cons of their implant choice. “From there, the patient can decide if they are willing to accept all the possible risks involved,” explains Elliott. “We have to remember as plastic surgeons, even though we’re responding to our patient’s wishes to a certain degree, we also have to factor in what is medically appropriate for each patient.”