Tear Drop Vs Round Breast Implants for Petite Build?

More than 90% of women have smooth round silicone implants. A recent presentation at the plastic surgery society meeting disclosed that 50% of plastic surgeons couldnot tell the difference between gummy bear and conventional silicone implants following breast augmentation. One thing is certain: gummy bear implants are harder than round silicone implants. Some women like this better, and some women prefer the softer feel. This is the #1 method I use to help women choose between these two implants. The second involves the desired breast shape: If women want to have an "augmented" look with a high "shelf" to their breast, I advise women that this is more likely to result with the smooth round silicone implants.In my current practice, I use about 3 pair of round implants for every 1 pair ofgummy bear implants.In terms of going with a larger size, make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified and has experience with breast augmentation. Your breast fold may need to be lowered to accommodate implants of your desired size range. If your chest and breast width is narrow, gummy bear implants will likely be too wide for your breasts. You may need to consider ultra high profile breast smooth round silicone implants if you want to go on the larger side (narrow width, but large volume).

The tear-dropped shaped implants are idea in very specific patients.  I like to use the shaped implants in patients who are thin and petite who are looking for the utmost natural look.  This type of implants gives minimal upper pole fullness and little cleavage along the midline of the chest; hence for a natural un-operated look. However, with that said, it has it own inherent set of risks including fluid accumulation and rotation of the shaped implant.  
The implant selection should be based on a combination of your desired size, soft tissue dynamics, breast base diameter and skin elasticity.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach Trained, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Round and shaped implants look the same from the side 6 months after surgery.  An X-ray study which imaged the implants from the side 6 months after surgery showed no significant difference in breast shape with the patient standing.  However, there are significant advantages in smooth round implants with respect to feel and mobility compared to textured anatomic implants.  

Deciding on which implant to use is always a difficultdecision for women. The benefit is that in this day and age is that there areso many choices of implants that the augmentation can be tailored to eachpatient.

The shaped implants can help decrease the roundappearance that some women are afraid of having after their breastaugmentation. First of all I would tell you that by using a silicone gelimplant, whether it is round or shaped will help decrease the chance that youare going to look fake. The silicone implants are much softer and give people amore natural appearance and feel. The shape implants in my opinion are a goodoption for women that want to have a bigger implant and still avoid a fake appearance.Shaped implants are also a good option for patient undergoing breastreconstruction. When patients are using a very small implant the differencebetween a shaped and a round silicone implant is very small.



They are both good implants, and this is where your plasticsurgeon will help guide you on what implant will help you achieve you aestheticgoals. Please consult with your board certified plasticsurgeon to help guide you on what implant would be best for you for your breastaugmentation.

Teardrop shaped implants were originally promoted as providing a more natural breast appearance. However, that claim has never been proven. Recent studies have shown that even experienced plastic surgeons cannot tell the difference in appearance. Shaped implants have some disadvantages. They can rotate, causing asymmetry. They are also textured (to help prevent rotation). There are problems with implants that are textured, including risk of a rare cancer called ALCL. So round smooth implants are best. Round smooth implants also happen to be less expensive. You can read more on this subject at my website. I have attached a link.

Thank you for your question.  Regardless of whether a patient is petite or particularly
large, it is important for the surgeon to make sure a patient’s implant fits
appropriately into each of their bodies and are proportionate and natural. Obviously,
patients have different ideas of what ideal look they want. However, the goals
and the reality of their anatomy must be matched up by an experienced Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon. In general, I prefer textured anatomical implants
for most of my patients as I feel they give the patient the best of both
worlds.  They make a natural shape, while at the same time having a more
stable implant with highly cohesive gel and a textured shell which reduces the
risk of capsular contracture and lowest chance of implant migration. I find
that the anatomical implants look great on most of my patients and provide a
natural look with plenty of upper breast fullness. From the side view, a round
implant tends to give a more convex or shelf-like look and that is why I
generally prefer anatomical implants. I use Sientra classic anatomicals as my
most common implant because I believe in the overall soft feel, the best balance
of adherence with the texturing and an excellent shape. Round implants would
not necessarily look bad. However, in a very petite patient the risk is having
excessive upper pole fullness, which can create a matronly or top-heavy look. What style of implant needs to be discussed with your
plastic surgeon, as in certain cases the higher profile round implant could be
appropriate based on your goals. However, if you are looking for a more natural,
softer look, an anatomical might be an excellent way to go.

Thanks for your question.  You have many options at your disposal.  The important thing here is to get your hands on and feel the type of implant that will be used for your surgery.Round Gel implants feel different than gummy bear style. Gel implants are soft and supple and in my opinion have a closer feel to a natural breast.  Gummy bears are stiffer, but do an excellent job of maintaining shape.I have found an interesting piece of advice for my patients in #SanDiego considering #breastaugmentation.  I have my patients hold each implant in an opposite hand and feel the difference while jiggling the implant in their hand.  In addition, I try to have them visualize the feel of each implant when lying or positioning in yoga class.  Each implant will feel different and this test can help to choose.The other important piece of advice is that round gel implants have many more options with respect to size and projection.  As an A cup and wanting a more natural shape, you may benefit from a lower profile round gel implant.  This will be soft, but create a more natural upper pole of the breast.Best of luck!  Dr. Pacella

I used teardrop shaped implants when I first started my plastic surgery practice in 1997, because the concept seemed reasonable. It made sense to me that an implant with a flatter upper pole would give a more natural result. With more experience, however, I decided that smooth round implants provided the nicest results even for patients who have very little breast tissue. The shape of the breast is more related to choosing implants with appropriate volumes and diameters, and creating the pocket where the implant is placed properly, than it is to the shape of the implant. Teardrop shaped implants are textured, not smooth, to keep them from rotating. The texture can lead to more visible rippling later, and may keep the implants  from settling into the bottom of the breasts fully, possibly resulting in a LESS natural appearance. The bottom line is that I now use only round implants, even for patients with A cup breasts, and believe that extremely natural results are possible.

I appreciate your question!

After performing hundreds of breast augmentations, I have found that the size of implant best for you is dictated by your chest wall measurements. Once we determine that we can choose the profile based on what you want or need to achieve.  If you are seeking a natural look, then the diameter of the implant should be equal to or, more ideally, smaller than the width of your breast. The breast width is a measurement of how wide your breast is at the base, which should be measured at the level of the nipple. Choosing an implant that is smaller in diameter than your breast width will avoid the "side breast" fullness that is often associated with a more artificial appearance. Other than that, you should choose the implant based on volume, not on the dimensions of the implant. You should choose a board certified plastic surgeon that you trust to help guide you in this decision. Bringing photos as well can help us to finalize, but please understand that these are of other people’s bodies and your results will probably be different.

Silicone will give you fullness at the top (upper pole fullness). Silicone implants come pre-filled with a silicone gel and are the softest implant available. They feel more natural, which makes them a good option for women with less natural breast tissue; but they require a larger incision. It may be more difficult to realize if this type of implant has ruptured, so it is important to monitor them with annual follow-up visits. Additionally, because this implant contains a softer silicone (less cross-linked), if this implant should rupture, it may leak but only into the scar capsule formed. However, the newer silicone in these implants may not leak even when the implant shell is ruptured.

Anatomic gummy bear implants might be a good choice to give you a more natural look. These highly sought after, anatomic implants offer a look that more closely resembles the natural silhouette of a breast, and, therefore, is a very attractive option for individuals seeking a natural-looking, aesthetic primary breast augmentation. Additionally, these implants are an especially excellent option for patients undergoing restorative or corrective breast surgery because they provide more stability, shape, and reduced incidence of capsular contracture. Compared to other types of silicone gel implants, the silicone in the cohesive gel implant is more cross-linked; therefore, should the implant shell “rupture,” it maintains its shape and silicone does not leak.

During your breast augmentation consultation, you should feel the different types of implants available, and try on various implant sizers in front of a mirror to help you to get an idea of how you will look following the surgery. You should also bring pictures of the look you would like to achieve, as well as a favorite top to wear when trying on implant sizers. I also use a 3D imaging system to allow you to try on a variety of shapes and sizes. I prefer this method over adding volume due to implants being under the muscle.

We will also discuss the possibility of needing a lift along with an implant. This will depend on the amount of ptosis (nipple position) as it relates to your breast, inframammary crease and chest wall. Needing a lift or not will also determine where to place the scar for the incision.  In some cases if the breast and nipple is really ptotic (low) it might be best to stage the procedure by performing a lift first and then doing an implant at a second stage. This will also allow you to have a better understanding of the true size and shape of your breast.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thank you for your question
Both tear drop implants and round implants are considered perfectly acceptable for breast augmentation surgery. my advice to you to use round implants and the reason for that is round implants are softer than the anatomic implants ,And Beautiful, natural results are achievable with round implants . make sure you book an appointment with board certified plastic surgeon to discuss with him about your future results also you can do a 3D analysis to see your future results before the surgery .
good luck:) 
regards 
Güncel Öztürk MD

There is quite a bit of information out there regarding the difference between the round and anatomic.  Although you can make a round implant appear like a tear drop, it is not possible to do the same with an anatomic.  Some of the difference are:Anatomic:  doesn't change its shape when lying down, will still look the way as if you were standing, they are more firm, tend to have less wear and tear on the tissues over time, more firm, possibility of rotating, less ripplingRound:  have more upper pole fullness, can be softer, move around in the breast, can still look very natural.To really summarize the major point here is that the round implants (depending on the type used: responsive vs soft touch vs cohesive) can be softer than the shaped implants which only come in cohesive type gel.  It is important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon and see what he/she recommends for what you are trying to achieve.Hope that helps.