Those who opt for breast augmentation have several factors to consider. One of the most important questions patients have is what size implant to choose. Selecting an implant size that is too large can lead to complications, additional surgeries, or dissatisfaction with the procedure. It is essential to define your expectations with your surgeon to ensure the best possible results from rice test for implants.
Questions to Address
- Appearance: Patients must decide whether they want a “natural” or “fake” look post surgery. Each patient must decide individually on the volume and dimensions that will provide the look they are trying to achieve.
- Lifestyle: If you have an active lifestyle, implants that are too large may hinder certain activities.
- Complications: The chance of complications is more likely as the size of the implants increase.
The Rice Test
Some surgeons allow you to experiment with different breast implant sizes in the office. If that is not an option, you can try on different sizes with help from the “rice test.” Simply take a pair of knee-high pantyhose and fill them with the correct amount of cc’s. This method is not 100 percent accurate, but it is close. The conversions below are approximate.
- 30cc – 1/8 cup
- 59cc – 1/4 cup
- 78cc – 1/3 cup
- 118cc – 1/2 cup
- 156cc – 2/3 cup
- 177cc – 3/4 cup
- 236cc – 1 cup
Remember not to rely on cc’s alone. The same number of cc’s does not have the same look on each person. When discussing size with your surgeon, it is also important to keep in mind that many do not talk in terms of cup size. It is smart to bring photos along to your consultation to give the doctor an idea of what you consider too large or too small.
Discuss Your Options at Boulder Plastic Surgery
If you are interested in breast augmentation but are not sure what size implant is best for you, schedule a consultation at Boulder Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kuisle and Dr. Hartley are both members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons with a special focus on cosmetic plastic surgery such as breast augmentation.
