Houston Plastic Surgery Blog

If you are considering breast enlargement surgery, you think you want larger breasts, but you may not know how large. Choosing the size of breast implants is a very important decision, and will determine your satisfaction with your breast enlargement results. It is also a very personal decision, one that can only be made by you, in consultation with very close friends and family and a qualified cosmetic surgeon.

There are, however, some basic guidelines that can help you make this decision. First, two potentially conflicting facts:

• "Best breast" surveys generally identify breasts of B-C cup size as being the most attractive, which would advise caution not to go too large in selecting your breast implants.
• Surveys of women satisfied with the results of their breast implants indicate that more women wish they'd gone larger than wish they'd gone smaller.

With these ideas in mind, you can try the "rice test," the most popular folk method for determining the size of breast implants you want. The rice test involves filling stockings with a set amount of rice, dry couscous, or other dry material that can fill gaps and conform, then placing them in a bra under your breasts to see how you feel about the new size. Breast implants are sized in cubic centimeters (cc). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) estimates that it takes about 185 cc of breast implant for the average woman to increase one bra cup size, the equivalent of slightly more than ¾ cup of rice.

In trying out your rice-augmented breasts, consider the following factors:

Desired effect: If you want breasts that look natural, think smaller implants, but if you want breasts that are dramatically fake, think larger.
Proportion: If you want breast implants that are in proportion with your body, consider your height, waist size, and other dimensions in considering your breast implants.
Activity level: Very active women can find large breast implants cumbersome when running or swimming. But even just sitting, standing, or walking can be affected by large implants. Rice is about the right weight for silicone implants, but saline implants are slightly heavier. Wear them around for a day or two and see how much a difference it makes.
Dress: Consider the types of clothes you want to wear following you breast enlargement surgery, and try them on with your rice (or couscous, etc)-filled bra. Try several different sizes until you're happy with results.
Profession: Do you work in a profession where large breast implants could attract unwanted attention or lead others to doubt your professionalism?

After you think you've figured out the right size of breast implants, bring that knowledge, and any indications of your desired results to a consultation with Dr. Leo Lapuerta. You might bring any clothes (including bras) you want to "fill out" after your surgery or pictures of women whose breasts you believe are attractive. Share this information with Dr. Lapuerta, but be prepared to change your mind. Dr. Lapuerta has experience with breast implants and the results of breast enlargement surgery and can give you better, more customized advice than you can get on your own.

Please schedule a breast enlargement consultation at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas today to learn more.