How to Choose the Right Breast Implant Size
Choosing the size of a breast implant can be a stressful decision as many women tend to obsess over “what is the perfect size”. It is very important to have realistic expectations in regards to what size is right for you. Getting implants that are too large for your frame or body might in fact lead to more serious complications. A good surgeon will never push the limits of your body and it is wise to not force an implant that is too large.
Two things to consider when deciding on the size of your implant are implications to your lifestyle and whether or not you want the augmentation to look natural:
- Your lifestyle. A larger breast size could potentially affect the type of lifestyle you lead. For example, if you tend to be more active or are involved in sports, larger sized breasts could potentially be problematic. Choosing an implant size that fits your lifestyle is a critical factor in determining a positive outcome.
- Naturalness. Do you prefer a final result that is more natural or something others may notice as not natural (i.e. a breast size that is not in line with the proportions of your body)? The decision is purely a personal one but should be thoughtfully considered.
Keep in mind that implants do not typically appear quite as large as natural breasts. For example, if after your surgery you find yourself wearing a D cup bra, it will most likely appear more like a C cup in clothing. If you have broad shoulders and a wide chest cavity, an implant may tend to look smaller; whereas an implant on someone with narrow shoulders and a small chest cavity may look larger. Additionally your wardrobe can either accentuate or camouflage the breasts depending on fit.
It is always a good idea to try different sized implants on for size when you visit with your plastic surgeon. If you are naturally very flat chested, anything bigger may initially seem out of place, however, you will be amazed at how quickly you adjust to a new size. Doing this will also help give you a rough idea as to how many cc’s it will require to obtain the desired result.
Another option you can do at home is the Rice Test, which is a “do it yourself” method of sizing. You can visit www.ricetest.com for at home instructions to convert cups of rice to simulated implant volume.
Additional Posts On Breast Augmentation
- Breast Implant Comparison: Saline vs. Silicone vs. Gummy Bear
- Breast Implant Placement: Over vs. Under The Muscle
Justina Moncrief is a Cosmetic Consultant with Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. She has been with the practice since 2011. Justina provides personal consultations with patients regarding breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, and many other plastic surgery and laser procedures.
Interesting post, thanks for sharing. I’m currently thinking about breast augmentation and was wondering what size would be good for me. The rice test in particular was helpful. Thanks again!
Helpful post, I got silicone implants last year and went from a small A to a full C. It was the perfect size!
There is apparently a lot to realize about this!
Hi Billie, there is definitely a lot of choices out there. Let us know if you have any questions. You can call us to schedule a free consultation; we can suggest what implant characteristics (type, size, projection, etc.) will work best given your anatomy and desired result!
I like that you mention how it’s important to determine what size of implants work for your lifestyle so that you can avoid problems, especially if you are more active or involved in sports. That is something we emphasize to all of our patients. In order to know what you need, you need to talk with a skilled surgeon!