If you have made the decision to get breast augmentation surgery you are now faced with two critical decision.
what type of material to use for the implant (saline or silicone implants) and what size and shape breast implants do you want. After speaking with several doctors, I have found there really is not a right or wrong sized breast implant – it all comes down to the patients preference. I also have found out just picking a “B”, “C” or “D” cup is not the proper way to choose a breast implant size. Even though a “C” cup sized implant is a certain size, it won’t necessary be a “C” cup on every woman.
Here are a few ways we recommend to choose your breast implant size:Â
Look at pictures of other women’s breast and show your cosmetic surgeon.Â
Once you find a picture of women’s chest that you think will fit your body nicely, showing your plastic surgeon will be the best way to communicate what you want. Many surgeon’s will include the picture in the room while completing the breast augmentation so they can match as close as possible.
Try on different sizes in the office of your plastic surgeon.Â
If you do not know what size breast implants will fit your body, try them on in your surgeon’s office. You can add the implants to your bra and see how they feel.
Take the rice test.Â
Breast implants are measured by the volume of cubic centimeters in the implant – not a bra size. One thing women need to take into account is the weight barring on the body the implant will have. To get a good idea of the weight of an implant is to take the rice test. Use a measuring cup and fill a zip lock bag with rice and wear the bag in your bra. 1/4 cup will equal the weight of a 59 cc implant, 1/3 cup will equal 80 cc implant, 1/2 cup will equal 118 cc, 2/3 cup will equal 180 cc, and 1 cup will equal 235 cc implants. After a day or two wearing the rice bags you will have a great idea what implant size will suit you best.
Remember the size of the implant is not actual size of the breast. The implant is just one component of the actual size of the breast. Everyone women has a different body type and natural breast tissue. Showing a doctor a picture of breasts you would like is one of the best ways to get the results you want.
Choosing your breast shape is a little easier than your implant size.Â
You really have two options for breast implant shape; a round-shaped implant and a tear drop implant. A round-shaped implant is circular in shape any way you look at the implant. From all sides it looks like a half circle and is symmetrical. A tear drop implant was created to represent a more natural looking breast and is larger on the bottom of the implant than the top.
One of the easiest way to choose your implant shape deals with the amount of breast tissue your body already has. If you have over 2 cm of natural breast tissue, it is recommended to use the round breast implant because you will be able to have 1 cm of natural breast tissue over the implant which will naturally take the tear drop shape once the procedure is complete. If you have under 2 cm of natural breast tissue, it is recommended to use the tear drop breast implant so the breast will look more natural when the implant surgery is completed.
At the end of the day your plastic surgeon will recommend a size and shape for your breast implants but the decision ultimately is yours. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong implant size or shape, it is all personal preference. It is important to choose the right plastic surgeon so you can be confident the procedure will be successful and you will fell better about yourself for years to come.
