This is perhaps the most common question asked by women considering breast augmentation. In an effort to shed some light on the topic of selecting the appropriate breast implant size, Dr. Stephen Herring has written a detailed guide on our sister website that highlights the various options available for testing implant sizes, as well as the process he employs at our practice to help patients choose the correct size for their unique needs and goals.
According to Dr. Herring’s article, the three most commonly used methods for determining implant sizing are:
- Implant Sizers – These are anatomically shaped, non-implantable devices that are placed inside a bra or bathing suit to provide an accurate representation of how large one’s breasts will appear with various implant sizes.
- Rice Bags – This at-home technique involves filling plastic zip lock bags with dry rice and placing them into one’s bra to evaluate potential sizing. One cup of dry rice equates to approximately 240 ccs (which is the metric used to select implant size).
- Computer Imaging – With this approach, a 3D digital image of the patient is displayed on a monitor in the plastic surgeon’s office. Using advanced software, the image is then modified to show how the patient would potentially look with different implant sizes.
Dr. Herring’s opinion is that rice bags can be a great option for women to gain a good baseline idea of what size implants they would like from the comfort of their own homes—but in the office he prefers to utilize implant sizers to help patients make the most informed and accurate decision possible. He is not particularly fond of computer imaging, as it can sometimes create false expectations due to its inability to account for a patient’s breast tissues, the experience of the surgeon, and several other factors.
For more information on this topic—including details about Dr. Herring’s five-step process for helping his patients select the right breast implant size—please read the full article here.
If you have any questions, or if you are interested in breast augmentation and would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Herring, please feel free to contact our practice today.