Is a 255 Gram Silicone Implant More or Less Volume Than a 255cc Saline?

asked 3 years ago by gg007 in San Francisco, CA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 1,588 times
Tags: silicone implant

I've searched the web, but can't find info specifically for breast implants. Will a 255 gram silicone implant displace as much or less volume than a 255cc saline? I know there are material weight differences... and saline does not include the shell, where as the silicone does.. Reason I ask is I'm trying on sizers in cc, but getting silicones in grams.. Just want to make sure they are at least close to get proper results. Thank you..

6 answers to Is a 255 Gram Silicone Implant More or Less Volume Than a 255cc Saline?

Grams vs cc's

I am not aware of the use of grams in implant sizing for many years. The old Replicon polyurethane coated silicone implants used to be sized in grams as I recall but these have been off the market since around 1989. If you are having gels used, then have gels used as sizers in a garment to approximate the volume and look you want. I also rely primarily on dimensional measurements and profile preferences to determine what implants I want to use but find that the visual aid of an implant... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant volume - grams vs cc's

CC's and gm's or ml's or all the same. A 255 cc implant is the same whether it is a saline or a silicone gel implant.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Select with cc's and discuss with your surgeon

Although your question sounds very simple, it is, instead, very complex. First, none of the now standard implants approved by the FDA are measured in grams. That being said, there are several other problems with your question. First, although you can get a general idea of what size you will be by using sizers externally, there is actually no way to guarantee that you will be even close to that size after surgery using the same implant size. Several things go into the apparent size you... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

This is not a science...

If you are trying to get an idea about your size, I would recommend measuring out rice in a bag and just going by the volume. Implants available in the US are all based on cc's, but we sometimes mis-speak and say grams. As mentioned before, a sizer will look bigger on you that in you, so it is really only giving you an idea. The rice test is good for figuring out if you want a 300cc implant or a 500cc implant, not for telling the difference between 300cc and 325cc! The profile of the... more

Robert S. Houser, DO
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Essentially equivelent

I am not familiar with silicone measuremnts being given in grams. In my experience all sizes of implants are given in cc's. Trying them on does give you some ides as to the look you will achieve, but only in a very basic way. All the best.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Try dimensions rather than volume

Since implants come in different styles, you can have impants with different width and projection having the same volume. Many doctors are using the dimensional approach to implant selection as do I. Compare the implants using the style of implant and dimensions rather than just pure absolute volume.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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