Breast Implants Q&A

80%

WORTH IT RATING

1,009 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Implants Cost: $6,000

Learn about Breast Implants

4,932 people and 832 doctors are talking about Breast Implants

Get Free Email Updates

Would Teardrop or Round Shaped Implants Be Ideal for Someone with Limited Breast Tissue Seeking Natural, Modest Results? (photo)

asked 6 months ago by chicachata in Orlando, FL
Latest answer by Jonathan Berman, MD
Question viewed 795 times
Tags: natural appearance, tear duct

I detest the look of "dramatic" cleavage on the upper portion of the breast and would prefer a more natural slope with the nipple angled slightly upwards. I’m concerned about the complications of rotation and the textured implant having a less natural feel. I’m also worried if the teardrop shape is too mature for a 20 year old with breasts positioned higher on the chest wall. Are anatomical implants ideal for only mastectomy patients? Why aren't they more widely used?

19 answers to Would Teardrop or Round Shaped Implants Be Ideal for Someone with Limited Breast Tissue Seeking Natural, Modest Results? (photo)

Round or teardrop shaped implants

The idea behind teardrop shaped implants was to try to mimic the natural appearance of a normal breast. They were quite popular during the 1990's and early 2000's. Some surgeons still like to use them for augmentation but I believe that most surgeons prefer round implants. The teardrop shaped implants sacrifice width for projection which tends to reduce general fullness unless a larger implant is used. There also can be a problem with rotation. I once... more

Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Round shape implants are my preferred implants

I have not used teardrop implants for over 10 years. The teardrop shape demands textured implants and the texturing is necessary to help “keep” the implants in position. Texturing does help decrease the incidence of capsular contracture, but at a cost; there is a greater tendency for rippling. Also, I have found that I have achieved less than optimal results with teardrop shaped implants and I have found little use for them over the past several years. Most women... more

Jonathan Berman, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Are teardrop implants better with limited breast tissue

You don't have much breast tissue, but what you have is nicely shaped. You would definitely need gel implants. The teardrop gel implants are textured so you would be more likely to feel the edge of the implant. I think you would get a natural, pleasing result with smooth walled gel implants placed submuscularly.

Kenneth L. Stein, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Teardrop vs. round breast implants and natural results

Teardrop shaped implants in normal cosmetic breast augmentation have been abandoned for a whole host of short term and long term reasons. Properly fitted smooth-wall, round implants (properly filled saline or gel-filled) give the best short term and long term results for normal breasts such as yours. Be sure the implant is properly matched to the width of your breast and is no more than the middle profile projection as well as placed sub-pectorally and you will not have to worry about... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Tear-Drop implants are NOT superior to Round implants

After implants are placed retro-pectorally, pressure generated by the pectoral major muscle distorts the shape. Implants that look tear-drop when sitting on a tabletop will NOT assume the same position when compressed by the pectoral major muscle. Often tear-drop shaped implants can rotate or be mal-positioned, which is not desirable. I have never used tear-shaped implants for these reasons, not even in mastectomy patients. They are not more widely used because they... more

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Round breast implants are more natural for most patients

One very important thing to know about implant slection is that because the gel in round implants is softer than the gel in shaped implants, the round implants have a teardrop profile when you are upright. Another advantage of the softer gel is that they will feel more like natural breasts. If the base shape of the breasts is round (as it appears to be in your photos) the round implants are the best fit.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Would Teardrop or Round Shaped Implants Be Ideal for Someone with Limited Breast Tissue Seeking Natural, Modest Results?

Besides not being available, tear drop implants were a great idea but really did not create the breasts that they were supposed to. I used many of them in the early 90's and changed back to round and the main reason is that there is no problem with rotation and xray studies showed that most round implants actually formed a teardrop shape when standing. But this all may change when 410's come on the market here in the US!

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Teardrop implants

I was one who used the teardrop implants. i switched. i feel the moderate plus gel implant will give you the natural look which you are requesting. i think the moderate plus will give you a better result than the high profile as you have quite a wide distance between your breast and a wider implant will help this. good luck

Jonathan Saunders, MD
Newark Plastic Surgeon

Your choices are limited - but nice results are still predictably achieved.

You are somewhat at a disadvantage because US surgeons have had limited choices of implants on which to base their opinions. Your best choice out of the implants that are available in the US for augmentation outside of a study setting, is likely a smooth round cohesive silicone gel implant from either Allergan or Mentor. To limit the excessive fullness to the upper chest and cleavage, choose a Plastic Surgeon is experienced and who can recommend an implant size and profile... more

Mathew C. Mosher, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

Would Teardrop or Round Shaped Implants Be Ideal for Someone with Limited Breast Tissue Seeking Natural, Modest Results? (photo

As reading the experts I see and agree with the majority of the limited use of the "tear drop" implants. In your case eith smooth round high or moderate + would my choice.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tear drop shaped breast implants have problems and no advantages.

Hi. You look like an ideal candidate for subpectoral breast augmentation, slight lowering of the folds, and correction of slight asymmetry. i would recommend using round, smooth walled, moderate PLUS profile, silicone gel implants. Sterile implant sizers are used during surgery to determine best size, but I would not go too big. see video

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants: Round or Anatomical?

Thank you for the question. In your case I would recommend a smooth round preferably silicone gel ( although this may be an issue given your age) breast implant in the sub muscular (dual plane) position. Communication with your plastic surgeon will be critical to help you achieve your goals with the breast augmentation procedure. In my practice I find the use of goal pictures to be very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural”... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Teardrop or round implants

I am not a big fan for tear drop shaped implants for the same reason that you are concerned. They may turn.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Anatomical Implants

15 years ago I use only the tear drop shaped anatomic implants in my practice. After a couple of years I discovered that in a lot of patients they gave too much superior fullness with very non anatomical look. I quit using them I personally feel they are not any good for any patient in any situation. The round smooth implant gives the most natural look, softer feel and less risk or rippling in my opinion. Gary Hall,MD

Gary Hall, MD
Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

www.hallmd.com

Teardrop Shaped vs Round Implants

Dear Chicachata, You have asked one of the most interesting questions in breast augmentation surgery. If you want to start a good discussion at a plastic surgery meeting just ask which implant is better-round or teardrop. Lets start with some simple facts. In the USA, there are no teardrop shaped implants that are filled with the standard silicone-gel filler. Standard silicone gel-filed implants in the USA are round and can be both textured and smooth surfaced.... more

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Anantomic breast implants for breast augmentation

There is an interest in anatomic or tear drop shaped implants for breast auagmentation, especially in Europe where very cohesive form stable (gummy bear) implants are widely available. We have found that a tear drop implant will look and behave as a round implant unless the gel is very cohesive, and do pose a 'rotation' risk. We feel that your best implant is a smooth gel. The anatomic gummy bear is just too stiff for augmentation. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Anatomical implants - are they the best??

I believe that anatomical implants will not improve the chances of reaching your ideal conditions. The textured implants are firmer, have more rippling and have a higher rate of rupture. In fact, lateral x-ray studies have shown that anatomical implants do not produce an improved upper breast slope compared to round implants. I advise my patients to chose the round, smooth implants to optimize their results. Since you have very little breast tissue, you will not have an upturned nipple... more

Sean T. Lille, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Smooth round implants are best

For what you want, a smooth round gel implant under the muscle using the Classic (formerly called moderate) profile with the implant's width matched to the base diamneter of your chest wall will give you the most natural look you can get with an implant. Tear drop (anatomical or shaped) implants are not as good even though their name would suggest otherwise.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Round versus teardrop

The most frequently used implant in the US today for augmentation is a smooth round implant. The reason for this is that the teardrop implants which are textured are much more problematic, especially in slim people such as yourself. They are firmer and stiffer as well. The teardrop gel implants for augmentation (gummy bear) are not yet available for general use in the US. You are very slim, so I would recommend smooth round saline implants under the muscle. Unfortunately you have... more