Want natural look - are teardrop anatomical shaped implants under muscle the best option?

If you want a natural look with least risk of complication, then submuscular placement of a round smooth implant will work great. Anatomic implants have to be textured to keep them from spinning, and textured implants have fallen out of favor with most plastic surgeons for multiple reasons. If a round implant is under the muscle it assumes a more natural teardrop shape because of the muscle covering the upper two thirds. It also has the lowest rate of complications. No surgery is completely risk free, but this is a way to minimize those risks and have a great result. Most important is to seek a surgeon with vast experience that you like their before and after photos and who explains their process to your satisfaction. Good luck.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on your body type, breast anatomy and personal preferences, your surgeon will be able to help you choose the right type of implants for you. Anatomic implants can be natural but with proper selection so can any other implant. I hope this helps.

Anatomical implants are textured. Textured implants have been associated with cancer. Also, anatomical implants placed underneath the muscle will be distorted by the muscle and the shape may not persist. Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. You may be better off with round submuscular implants, possibly fat transfers or lift combined with fat transfers.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Dear Hepburnn,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

For a natural result you want to begin by selecting an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure. Your surgeon is integral in helping you choose the right implant to get the look you are wanting. An implant placed under the muscle that fits well in the breast space will generally give you a nice result.

I use only the smooth round implants, usually placed behind the muscle, for better upper breast fullness, avoiding seeing the implant edge, better long term support, and fewer long term risks.