Breast Augmentation 101: Understanding the Rice Test

The decision to undergo a life-changing procedure such as breast augmentation is not one that should be taken lightly. There are a number of things that need to be decided on prior to your procedure, including who will perform your surgery and where, how much downtime you will require and what the cost will be. But one of the most exciting decisions by far is choosing the size of your implants. 

Deciding on an implant size can be overwhelming because you may know what cup size you want to be but how does this translate to an implant size? Fortunately, there is a way to get an idea of implant size before you meet with your plastic surgeon – enter the rice test. 

The Rice Test Explained

The rice test is designed to help you choose an implant size that works with your body. Basically, the test gives you the opportunity to try out different volumes, aka CC, prior to your appointment at a clinic such as Form & Face

To perform the rice test, you’re going to need a bag of uncooked rice, a scale or measuring cups, stockings and a sports bra that can stretch and take a bit of weight. 

Steps for Performing a Rice Test 

  1. Cut off the foot portion of the stocking as this is what you will be adding the rice to
  2. You will now need to measure the rice. Two tablespoons of rice are equal to 30cc. Four tablespoons are equal to 59cc, eight tablespoons are equal to 118cc and one cup of rice is equal to 236cc
  3. Fill the stockings with the required volume of rice and tie them up at the ends to make an implant
  4. Place the makeshift implants in your sports bra to get an idea of how heavy your implants will be and how they will look on your body

You can now add or remove rice to try out different sizes and get an idea of what you feel comfortable with. It should be noted that the rice test is not an exact science and you are still encouraged to try out implants at your surgeon’s office. 

Things to Keep in Mind

Before you set your heart on a particular size, keep the following in mind:

  • Implant placement. Your breast implant will be placed above or below the muscles of your chest. When you perform a rice test, the implant is sitting on top of your existing tissue, which does alter the appearance of your breasts. 
  • Implant profile. Along with deciding on an implant size, you will also need to make a decision about shape and profile. The profile refers to how much the breasts project forward – something that can’t be replicated using the rice test.
  • Implant texture. Unfortunately, the rice test won’t give you an accurate idea of implant texture either, which is something else that will affect your final results. 

Overall, the rice test is worthwhile but it won’t provide you with a clear picture of what your breasts will look like after your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to give you a much better idea of what to expect. 

Vivianne Sterling

Editorial Manager at Beautips. I love street style and I'm always in search of bits of inspiration around me. I also believe in home-made solutions for fitness, beauty tricks and healthy cooking.

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