3 Reasons the “Rice Test” Isn’t the Last Word in Breast Implant Size
Commonly referred to as the “rice test,” women considering breast implants have long been encouraged to measure specific volumes of rice into stockings and wear them under a sports bra to help them determine the perfect implant size for their dream look.
While there is certainly no harm in trying on different breast sizes using the rice test, candidates should maintain an open mind. The rice test isn’t the final word on the right implant size for you, and there are three reasons why.
1. Implants Are Placed below the Breast Tissue
Breast implants are not placed on top of the breast tissue as the rice bags are. Implants are either placed below or above the pectoral muscles, and in either instance, the implants will be underneath your existing breast tissue. This means your breasts will have a different appearance with implants than with rice bags, even if you cover the rice bags with a sports bra.
2. Rice Has a Different Texture
The texture of rice is not at all similar to the texture of either saline or silicone breast implants. Both implant types mimic natural breast tissue much more closely than bags of rice. What’s more is that real breast implants will sit differently on your body than rice bags, even if they conform to your contours.
3. Breast Implant Profiles Make a Difference
Breast implant profiles are impossible to imitate with the rice test, and play a large role in determining your final augmentation results. High profile implants, which have a smaller base and greater degree of projection, will create a very different look from low profile implants, with a wider base and lower degree of projection.
The best way to decide whether a certain implant size or shape is best for you is to talk with several plastic surgeons. During your consultations, they’ll be able to tell you their professional opinion about the implant selection that will best match your goals, and they may even offer Vectra breast implant imaging to help you virtually “try on” different implants in a computer simulation.