Is It Possible to Achieve a Natural Looking Tear Drop Shape when Using High Profile Implants?

Yes, It is totally possible to get the look you are desiring with High Profile implants. I have found these implants can give excellent and natural shape, as long as you are not picking too big. This will be more dependent on your soft tissue coverage. This means how much breast tissue and muscle you have to "hide" the implabt. If you have enough tissue to hide the implant, you will get a natural look. However, if you have too little tissue,  you will look round and faker.

Your doctor can help you with this decision.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Dr. Chris Saunders

    If a patient desires a little more volume than a chest wall can accommodate, the profile of the implant can be changed to a higher profile.  High profile implants can look very natural - depends upon the surgeon and planning not the implant.

High profile implants differ from moderate profile in the following way.  For a given volume high profile has slightly less diameter and more height than moderate profile.  But the dimensions differ only a small amount, maybe one centimeter in diameter.  You mention several options for the type of implant you want.  I say go with the 425 high profile since it seems you are partial to them from your inquiry.  As far as the teardrop issue is concerned, I advise against teardrop implants, because they can turn the wrong way.  The good news is that when a round implant is held vertically, as it will sit in your body, it assume a teardrop shape anyway.  That is why it never  made any sense to me to ever use them.  

I think it is best if you listen to your surgeon. Many patients do not understand different profiles, and think a high profile sits high on the chest, which is incorrect. The higher the profile, the smaller the diameter of the implant, so if you have a narrow chest, you will need a higher profile to get a larger volume and keep the implant behind your breast. A moderate plus might be too wide, and not be covered by your natural breast tissue, which would make it more likely to show rippling.

In choosing a profile for your breast implant, a PS might recommend either Moderate Plus or High Profile. The recommendation is based on your chest and breast measurements. As breast implants get larger in size, they get wider. For a larger volume, I often recommend switching to a narrower breast implant. This would be the case in a situation where a patient wants a bigger volume than recommended and the breast implant chosen would likely create too much fullness on the side or a "side breast" with Moderate Plus. Other factors can also increase or decrease the likelihood of achieving a "natural" looking result, like your overall general shape, skin elasticity, and breast volume. Bigger implants with higher profiles tend to look fuller at the top, but not in all cases. Refer to your PS recommendations and best of luck!

Hello,

You are at a crossroad in the decision making process.  You 'had it in your head' about what size (and profile) you wanted, but without the benefit of the expertise of a plastic surgeon's examination.  If you are looking for a very gentle slope to the upper pole, then you and your surgeon should talk about the flattest profile possible in an implant whose diameter best fits your chest wall, and ignore the volume.

Most surgeons have been bullied into accommodating women's size request while still trying to adhere to some part of dimensional planning, so they often recommend a high profile implant in an attempt to satisfy both. However, this can lead to significant problems, some that will necessitate a reoperation.

Don't push this surgeon into a corner, or go to another that cares not, and will give you exactly what you ask for so you don't walk out his door too.  Please understand that breast augmentation has limitations.

Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. While high profile implants are used in some cases, I believe that they tend to create a more rounded and less natural look. The increased projection with the high profile implants makes the breast look more implanted with a bit of a superior shelf. Some women like that look, but it doesn't sound like it would meet your desires based on your description.

The question that I would have for you is about your desire to use a 425cc implant. To achieve the natural look that you describe, it would be best to match the implant width to your chest width. The projection could then be chosen to meet your expectations, with the volume being almost disregarded. I am sure that your plastic surgeon can help you with this.

This approach will give you a natural result that meets your expectations.

Best of luck with your augmentation.

Jeff Rockmore

Thanks for your question.  It is important to remember that you should not get stuck on a number when discussing size of implants.  The more important thing is communicating the shape/size of your desired outcome to your surgeon and he/she making a decision on implant size based on your chest dimensions.  Twenty-five cc's is not that big of a difference in size anyway.  In general, high profile implants do not give a "natural" result.  A potential option for a more tear drop appearance is the shaped implant.  If you are concerned about the shape of your breast, talk to your surgeon about that option as well. Good luck!

If you are looking for nice sloping tear drop shape then the lower profile implant shape is what you should be getting. However, you may not be able to get the volume that you wanted. It's a very common conflict, choosing between size and shape. Most of the time, it's a compromise. Another option to consider is the anatomically shaped silicone gel implant. Go back to your surgeon and see if you are a candidate for this type of implant. 

Best Wishes,

Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery

An In-person consultation is necessary to give you the best answer to your difficulty, but ultimately, your surgeon is the best person to advise you on size versus shape.  Have you discussed newer tear-drop shaped breast implants during your consultations? They are a more natural-looking shape and provide an alternative to traditional breast implants.  Hope this helps.