Rice Test For Implant Revision to Go Larger?

Question

I already have breast implants (200cc). I went from a saggy B to a C (with a large lift) I want to get bigger implants. how do I go about trying on new sizes in my consult? should i try the rice test again?

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

If you went from a size B to a size C with a 200cc implants, that means that your chest size is 38 or more. You have to decide what size breast you want to have or are comfortable with. If you want to be a D cup, you will need a 400cc implants. For a DD you will need 600cc implants. Obviously, assuming that you were originaly 38B. Any different measurement will change the results. In regard to choosing the right size, the best way is to look at your surgeons before and after pictures and select the ones that you like . Rice test or any other test like that are unreliable.

	      Best of luck,

	                                Dr Widder

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Personally, I do not believe that the &ldquo;rice test&rdquo; is an accurate way to determine what breast implant size/profile will best meet your goals. I have seen too many patients present for revisionary breast surgery who have used this technique and have been dissatisfied with the results of surgery (usually regret not going bigger).  I think that at best this test will allow you to get in the &ldquo;ballpark&rdquo;,  but is not precise.

	It will be important, prior to undergoing revisionary breast surgery that you have a full discussion regarding your desired goals  with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining which operation and/or breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. In my practice, the use of photographs of &ldquo;goal&rdquo; pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful.

	I have found that the use of words such as &ldquo;natural&rdquo; or "D cup&rdquo; etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.  Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup  size may also be inaccurate. 

	Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly,  allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals.  Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery.

	  I hope this helps.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

The rice test is one approach to breast implant sizing but it obviously was not entirely successful if you are now considering larger implants. Since you now know what a 200cc implant creates, that will help you think better about what a new size might do by comparing volume ratios. It usually takes at least a 30% to 40% increase in volume to make a visible external difference in most patients. This then tells you that you need at least 75cc if not more to justify the effort of another procedure. A more substantial increase in size may need 100cc to 150cc increase in breast implant volume.

Leonard T. Yu, MD · Answer

To notice a difference in implant size we generally recommend that you increase the implant volume by at least 75 cc. The rice test could give you an approximate volume. You could also seek a board certified plastic surgeon who has a 3D imaging system like the Vecra system, to morph your image with different implant volumes.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Remember that Plastic Surgery is an art and not a science. Think in terms of small, medium or large. A cc is a very small measure of volume, i.e. 5cc in a teaspoon. Smallest implant made, not custom ordered is around 200 cc. Unless you are under 5 feet in height do not waste your money on an implant in the 200 cc range. The size of your implant depends on your chest size, the amount of breast tissue that you have, and your desires. There is no sense in fretting over whether you need a 300 cc implant or a 325 cc as most women are at least that different in volume naturally. The rice test is a good general determinator, but common sense should tell you that if you are as flat as a wall that rice filled stocking with 500 cc of rice will not fit.

Rice Test For Implant Revision to Go Larger?

Answers (5)

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