Discussions and disputes regarding the choice of breast implant shape remain relevant. The correct choice of implant is one of the components of the success of mammoplasty, which concerns both the patient’s final perception of the new shape of her bust and minimizing the risk of developing postoperative complications and negative consequences.
Breast implants can be of various shapes – round and anatomical. According to popular opinion, anatomical implants, unlike round ones, give the breast a natural appearance and natural softness when touched. In fact, this statement has no serious basis.
Characteristics of breast implants
Implants intended for mammoplasty differ in the following characteristics:
- form;
- volume;
- projection;
- surface texture (smooth or textured).
The choice of implant is made by the surgeon depending on the surgical goals and techniques, anatomical features and personal preferences of the patient.
The natural shape of the breast is not round, but teardrop-shaped. The gradual increase in breast volume begins with a flat slope in the upper region, rising in its lower part. Therefore, anatomical implants that imitate the effect of gravity on the breasts look more natural at first glance and are ideal for creating breast shape. Initially, they were developed for reconstructive operations (for amputated or injured mammary glands).
However, despite the fact that the installation of anatomical implants seems quite logical, many surgeons and patients prefer to use round endoprostheses for mammoplasty.
Compared to anatomical ones, the use of round-shaped implants allows you to achieve greater volume and height of the breast, creating a beautiful neckline. However, not all women are delighted with the large volume in the upper part of the breast, considering this shape unnatural and preferring anatomical implants as the most natural.
Round implants can indeed add unnaturalness and artificiality to the outline of the bust. For example, this can happen if a patient insists on installing a large-volume implant high on her chest, while the volume of her own mammary gland tissue is insufficient. In this situation, it is not the shape of the implant that is to blame, but other factors that must be taken into account before mammoplasty. Implants of any shape can look fake. This depends on the suitability of the implant and the woman’s individual body contours. Sometimes round implants look more “anatomical” than the actual anatomical ones.
Round implants implanted into the mammary glands generally “behave” more naturally than teardrop-shaped ones. In the vertical position of the patient, under the force of gravity, they independently acquire an anatomical, natural shape. Round implants also have a more advantageous appearance when the woman is in a horizontal position. Anatomical implants “give themselves away” by their lower part sticking up, while a woman’s natural breasts, according to the laws of gravity, blur. Round implants look more natural when lying down. Round implants also look more natural during active movements of a woman - jumping, running, dancing, etc.
Immediately before performing augmentation mammoplasty, the surgeon must take into account many factors - both the woman’s wishes about the shape and size of the breast, and the aesthetic vision of the doctor about the need to choose certain approaches. The surgeon is the patient’s ally, so the woman should listen to his opinion. It is the close tandem of the patient and the doctor that ensures consistently good results and satisfaction from the work done.
The surgeon's many years of experience gives him the opportunity to make an informed decision about the brand of implant, its size, access for mammoplasty and many other nuances of the operation.
Anatomical or round: which breast implants to choose?
During consultations, I am asked the question of which is better to choose implants for breast augmentation: anatomical (teardrop-shaped) or round? The choice of implants is determined by both medical indications (anatomical features) and aesthetic preferences of the patient and/or plastic surgeon. I will tell you what criteria I use when choosing the shape of implants.
On the left are round implants, on the right are anatomical (drop-shaped)
It’s worth mentioning right away that the shape of the implants affects their cost . This circumstance is sometimes decisive when choosing implants. However, the main criteria for choosing the shape of implants are aesthetic preferences and objective indications.
Anatomical implants were developed as a result of the trend towards naturalness and naturalness: recently naturalness is in trend, and the beauty industry is striving to use products that highlight the natural beauty of women. This also applies to mammoplasty: unnatural breasts that look unnatural are no longer in trend, although in the 80-90s. last century there was such a thing. Now, in most cases, anatomical implants are used in plastic surgery, since the natural shape of the female breast is more like a drop: when the main volume is located in the lower part of the breast, and the upper part, on the contrary, does not have a pronounced volume.
The task of a drop-shaped implant is to repeat or recreate the natural shape of a woman’s breast, and add natural volume to it. There are teardrop-shaped implants with a low and high profile - accordingly, the second type makes the breasts visually slightly more elevated. Also, anatomical implants look more advantageous in a lying position: a woman’s natural breasts become flatter in a lying position, and round implants “give out” themselves by the fact that the breasts “stand” even when its owner lies down
