Which Breast Implant Shape Is Best For You?

When it comes to breast augmentation, it is critical to find the right shape and size for your body. Most patients prefer a more natural-looking implant that will fit their body and be almost impossible to tell whether they’re natural.

CosmetiCare primarily uses smooth high-profile implants. We do not recommend anatomical, also known as teardrop implants. However, the shape of the implant is something that should be discussed with your board-certified plastic surgeon during your initial consultation.

When it comes to determining the best breast implant shape for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Your Body Type

The breast implants you choose should conform to your own shape and size. Some women prefer a round shape to correct sagging, while others chose a teardrop shape. Each type will have a different appeal. What looks good on someone else may look very different on you.

Think about your natural breasts and what you think the breast implant should do for you. Take your thoughts into your consultation and your plastic surgeon will help you determine which option is best.

Implant Placement and Incision Site

Believe it or not, there are different types of placements for implants and different placements for incision sites. Both will depend on your own breast tissue, your body history, including whether you will be nursing in the future, or where you prefer the surgery incision. Remember, you may not have a choice of where the incision site will be. It is up to your surgeon to come up with the best options and discuss them with you.

Read more: How It Feels To Have Breast Implants

Orange County Breast Augmentation Implant Shape

There are two types of breast implant shapes: round and teardrop. Let’s discuss both so that you have a better understanding of what each shape means and can discuss it with your surgeon.

Round Breast Implants

Round implants are the most common shape of breast implants. After surgery, the breast will look spherical. These implants also come in four types ranging from low to high projection. None of these options is better than the other, and your personal preference will be taken into account.

Round implants give the appearance of fullness at the top of the breast. If you’re going for a fuller look or are trying to correct sagging, round implants may be the best option. Typically, round implants cost less than teardrop-shaped implants. Round breast implants resemble a compressed ball and can be filled with saline or silicone gel to create a soft, round, and well-proportioned appearance.

Teardrop Implants

Teardrop breast implants have a more natural look. This means that the bottom of the implant is fuller than the top of the breast, like a teardrop. Women who want their breasts to look very natural typically choose this type. The fullness of the breast is typically not lost, only concentrated more in the bottom portion of the breast.

Teardrop implants have a textured surface. This helps to prevent shifting or rotation. Unlike round breast implants, teardrop implants can only be filled with silicone gel, not saline. The newer products are often referred to as “gummy bear implants”.

These implants offer the option of a highly cohesive, form-stable gel that retains its shape and is soft to the touch. The teardrop implant may be an ideal choice for those who want to correct mild sagging.

Benefits and Differences Between Round and Teardrop Implants

Appearance

Many women believe that teardrop implants will look more natural because they are pre-shaped. However, round implants can also look natural because their liquid fillers tend to settle at the bottom of the implant. Round implants typically tend to look more natural when the patient is lying down whereas teardrop implants remain constricted to their pre-formed shape.

Rotation

Teardrop implants are asymmetrically shaped. This means that they carry a risk of rotating within the breast pocket. The rotation can compromise the shape and symmetry of the breast, and in some cases, may require corrective surgery. On the other hand, round implants are symmetrical and carry no risk of rotating.

Complications

To limit the chances of rotating within the breast pocket, teardrop implants are only available with a textured or rough surface. This textured shell can make the teardrop implants prone to wrinkling, which can lead to a rippling of the implant. Textured implants are also associated with the development of internal scar tissue that forms a constricting capsule around the implant. Smooth, high-profile, round implants don’t carry these same complications.

Incision Sizes

The shape and texture of a teardrop implant typically require larger incisions to place the implant into the breast pocket. These larger incisions mean a higher chance of noticeable scarring as well as an extended recovery period when compared to round implants.

Cost

Typically, teardrop breast implants cost more than round implants. Because surgical procedures with teardrop implants are more complicated and time-consuming, you can expect a higher surgeon’s fee as well.

Which Implant Shape is Right For You?

This question can only be answered by yourself and your surgeon. Round implants are typically preferred because they have a long track record of success.

Teardrop implants are commonly used for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, but it is also a good option for those with little to no natural breast tissue.

Both round and teardrop implant shapes come in a variety of sizes and profiles. The term “profiles” refers to how far the breasts project forward from the chest wall. A high-profile breast implant has the smallest base width and offers the most pronounced silhouette.

Implant selection, which includes both breast implant size and shape is an essential part of preparing for breast augmentation. You should have a general idea before walking into your consultation about the results you want and some knowledge about each shape. Your surgeon is there for you to answer all of your questions and provide you with insight that can help you determine which implant shape is right for you.

Schedule your Orange County breast augmentation consultation today!