How To Decide What Size Implants for Breast Enlargement
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that deciding on
what size breast implants you want now that you have decided on
breast surgery, scares you to death? Nobody wants to look
"Plastic Fantastic", but we all want to look great!
Choosing the size you want to be is often one of the biggest
decisions you will need to make. It is important to take the
time to decide what you'll be happy with. I know that as the
time got closer to my surgery day, I found myself doing what
probably comes naturally to most men - I became a breast
watcher! Until then I had no idea of the many different shapes
and sizes that existed. It sure made me realise what I did NOT
want!
A good surgeon will be able to judge from your frame, and
especially your height, approximately what will be the best size
for you. It makes sense that the taller you are, the larger
implant you can have without it looking wrong. However, the
decision is ultimately yours.
There are 3 recognised and reliable methods for deciding on
final implant size that you can easily do for yourself:
1. The Rice Test 2. The Water Test 3. Implant Sizers
We generally use the "cup size" method in order to discuss
breast size, but everyone knows how unreliable this is. That is
because the cup size system, introduced by the Warner Brothers
Corset Company in the 1930's relies on indirect measurements to
infer the volume of the breast. It varies widely based as much
upon the size of the person as on the breast. Therefore, it is
volume that is used for determining the implant size.
It might be interesting to note that the advice I gleaned from
reading posts in chat rooms and talking to my surgeon, was that
if a woman is to have any regrets post-surgery, it is usually
that she did not go big enough. You are going through an awful
lot of expense, inconvenience and discomfort, so you may as well
make it count! I did (only by 40cc), and I have not regretted
it! My final size is a very comfortable and flattering 340cc.
This equates to a much longed for DD cup (from a B cup).
A good idea is also to use the "rice test", or what I used - the
"water test". What this involves is getting 2 plastic bags (or
surgical gloves with the fingers knotted) and a sports bra of
the new size you desire to be. Fill the bags with varying
amounts of rice or water (make it warm water!), placing the bags
inside the bra, then try on various clothing. I found it easier
to lay the bra on my bed, place the water bags into the empty
bra, then lean myself into the filled bra and do it up. This tip
saves a lot of shoving and potentially burst bags!
Walk around, look at how it looks/feels until you get the right
amount. Now empty and measure the rice/water, then contact the
surgeon with your desired size in time for him/her to have the
correct implant (and they will need 2 sizes either size of this
just in case on the day there is more/less room inside your
breast than anticipated). This is where I found water the better
option - it's easier to measure correctly the cc's! (Note that
1cc = 1ml).
However, if using rice, here is an approximate conversion chart:
1 cup = 236cc 1/2 cup = 118cc 3/4 cup = 177cc 1/4 cup = 59cc 1/3
cup = 78cc 2/3 cup = 156cc 1/8 cup = 30cc
You can also ask your surgeon for implant sizers that you slip
inside a bra of your desired size to try on different implant
sizes. It is useful to remember, though, that implants typically
appear up to 20% smaller after they are implanted. This may be
because the look is different with the implant "stacked on"
externally, as opposed to integrated with your breast into one
unified shape.