Breast Implant Size - Breast Augmentation Size - Breast Implant Weight

Size. This is why the vast majority of us have breast augmentation, because we want to increase our size and/or have our breasts more proportionate to the rest of our bodies. This can be very distressing, because we tend to obsess over getting the perfect size, which is completely understandable. Some women worry about going too big, while others worry about not going big enough. Having realistic expectations regarding size is a must. You would not want to attempt to go too large, because doing so could lead to serious complications, which will result in more surgery, more recovery time, and last, but certainly not least, more money. A good doctor will not push the limits of your body by trying to force a (too large) breast implant into your body.

Typically, implants do not appear as large as natural breasts do. For instance, if, after your breast augmentation, you wear a D cup bra, you will most likely appear more like a C cup in clothes. Implanted breasts do not look as large as natural breasts, so keep this in mind when worrying about going to big. I wear a DD bra, and in loose-fitting clothes, you would never think that I'm a DD. Even in tight-fitting clothes, I don't appear to be a DD. I look more like a D cup. Take a look at the results of our "size" poll at www.justbreastimplants.com/polls/size_appearance.php.

"Trying on size" prior to your consultation with your plastic surgeon is a very good idea. If you're very flat-chested, ANYTHING seems big, but you will be amazed at how quickly you adjust to the new, larger size. It also gives you an idea of what you'd like to look like, as well as a rough idea of how many cc's it may take get that result. You can try the Rice Test (see below), which is a "do it yourself" sizing method. It's not 100% accurate, but it's pretty close.

Determining Breast Size / Breast Implant Size

Your plastic surgeon may let you try on implants during your consult. The breast implants are usually tried on underneath a sports bra, or in a regular-type bra. If your surgeon does not do this (and not all surgeons do), you can try on different "sizes" at home using a the "rice test". If you don't want to use rice, you can use oatmeal, potato flakes, or grits, etc.

Use knee-high hose (or cut-off pantyhose), and fill them with the desired amount of cc's. Using ziplock baggies is not recommended, due to the "pointed" corners of the bag. (CC conversions available below.) Once you have them filled, try them on under a sports bra. The sports bra is helpful, especially if you plan on having your implants placed under the muscle. The sports bra compresses the the "pretend breast implants" much like the muscle will compress the real implants. If you are going under the muscle, you'll need to add about 15% more to the amount that you like. For example, if you like the way 400cc looks under the sports bra, you need to add 15% to that amount. So actually, you would need around 460cc implants to achieve the look you see with the "pretend implants" in the sports bra.

Instant mashed potatoes and oatmeal are not as heavy as rice, and may be used instead.

Try InaModel 3-D breast augmentation imaging. It's free, and may give you an idea of what you will look like with different cc amounts. Keep in mind that your anatomy plays a role as to how the actual breast implants will look. This is still a fun and interesting thing to try.

How to measure for cc amount / Rice Test

The conversions below, which are approximate, will help you when doing the "rice test".

The amounts above can be used in different combinations to achieve the cc amount you desire.

It's important to remember that you should not solely rely on cc amounts. For instance, if you like the way 400cc looks on one person, that does not mean that 400cc will give you the same look. This is due to several things, including, but not limited to: amount of breast tissue, shape of the chest wall, deformities of the chest wall (such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum), and weight, to name a few. Basically, your existing breast tissue, and anatomy dictate how many cc's you will need. Therefore, you should do the rice test to give you an idea of how many cc's you may need to get the size you want. Again, this is just a rough estimate, as the "rice test" is not an exact science.

Another important thing to remember is that many surgeons do not talk in "cup" sizes. For that reason, it is recommended that you carry photographs to your consult. Carry photos of what you consider too small, too large, and "just right". This helps the surgeon immensely, and takes away a lot of the guesswork regarding size. It's much easier for the surgeon to look at a photo and get an idea of what you want, versus trying to visualize what you are talking about. Photographs leave less room for error regarding size. Keep in mind that you will NOT look like the photos you bring into your consult, no matter how much you may resemble the subjects in the "before" photos.

Determining Bra Size & Cup Size

This is yet another difficulty that we run into after the surgery. Studies show that the vast majority of women wear the wrong bra size. You may think that bra shopping will be easier after breast augmentation, but this is not always the case. Bra sizes run differently according to style and manufacturer. For example, if you buy a 34D bra from Victoria's Secret, this does not mean that you will always wear a 34D in all of their bras. Ditto for other manufacturers.

Implants tend to be wider than a "natural" breast, therefore, many of us will need to wear a D cup, simply because the width of a C cup bra isn't enough.

We have our own chart here at Just Breast Implants, which works for most, but not all, people. If it does not work for you, you may want to go to and be measured by a professional, though this does not always work either.

To use the chart below, y ou will want to measure each breast. Use a soft tape measure to do this. Start where the breast starts at (near the side/armpit), and measure all the way across the fullest part of the breast. The fullest part of the breast is usually the nipple, but not always.

You will also want to measure the circumference of your ribcage. Do this by measuring just below the breast, in the area of the crease. Measure all the way around. This is your ribcage measurement.

If your ribcage measurement is an odd #, add 5" to get your band width. Example: 29" ribcage + 5" = 34" band.

If your ribcage measurement is an even #, add 4" to get your band width. Example: 28" ribcage + 4" = 32" band.

Breast Implant Weight - How to calculate

You may be wondering how much breast implants weigh. Well, that has been covered here as well. Contrary to what many believe, silicone gel breast implants weigh more than saline breast implants. Below, you will find varying conversions, as well as how to calculate breast implant weight.

PLEASE NOTE: Silicone calculations and saline calculations are based upon measurements that I personally took by weighing 400cc silicone implant and a 400cc saline implant.

Silicone: 1cc weighs 0.0375 oz. To calculate the weight of silicone implants, see the directions below.

The width, diameter, and height of breast implants are measured in centimeters (cm).

These conversions are useful when trying to determine (for example) if 10 or 20 more cc's would make a lot of difference in size. Many women think that adding another 25-50cc's will make a huge difference in size, when in reality, it really doesn't.

"The shape of the breasts after implant enlargement or augmentation mammaplasty is mostly determined by the breast shape before surgery. Thus the post-op augmented breasts will generally appear to be a larger version of the original breasts. This is true because there are certain factors, unrelated to the surgery, that have a significant effect on the final shape of the enlarged breast. While breast augmentation will reliably make the breasts larger, it will not change the underlying basic shape of the breasts, a factor that may vary significantly from patient to patient. Other factors determining the final breast appearance include the shape and symmetry of the ribcage and muscles, the shape and depth of the breast bone, the volume of the existing breasts, and the character of the existing breast skin. Position and symmetry of the existing breast folds, and the nipples also has a large bearing on the shape of the final implant result. While some degree of asymmetry is normal, often it is not possible to correct many of the asymmetries that are commonly seen, such as different heights of nipples or infra-mammary folds. Volume and size differences of the breasts often can be corrected by implant volume adjustments, as the sterile saline filler is added."

Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, and Bra Size Information

Determining Breast Size / Breast Implant Size

How to measure for cc amount / Rice Test

Determining Bra Size & Cup Size