Should I get round or teardrop implants? (Photo)

Dear Enthusiastic201094,I use both tear drop (shaped) implants and round implants in my practice. One has to understand the dimensions of the breast to determine which implant would work best. A shaped implant looks like a tear drop and like a natural breast shape. This may sound like it makes the most sense for breast augmentation but if a patient has breast tissue already, this tends to push out or project the bottom part of the breast more so than what is natural. Two things that look like a breast don't necessarily make for a more natural looking breast. A round implant often times has a more natural look than a shaped implant because it increases the breast size more evenly. I still use shaped implants in a few circumstances when patients have no breast tissue. Patients that are very flat or have had a mastectomy. Shaped implants also have the increased risk, up to 30%, of rotation so I'm very careful when using or recommending them. The bottom line is that one should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who does a lot of breast surgery to determine the best implant for each patient. All of my breast augmentations are designer breast augmentations which means that one size does not fit all. I customize the surgery and implant based on the characteristics of the patient and their goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, thank you for your question. A board certified plastic surgeon will be able to guide you to the correct size implant. Based upon measurements of your chest wall and breast imprint width as well as knowledge of all breast implant sizes and profiles should make this process easy. Try on a profile bra with various silicone cc sizers your PS recommends under a tailored blouse, tank top, bikini, workout clothes, and other garments you typically wear so that you have the best idea of whether the garments fit as desired with the implant selected. Select the size that boosts your self-esteem, and fits your anatomy. Choosing an implant based on an aesthetic goal that exceeds your anatomic capacity may lead to complications and possibly revision.

Good morning!

You are an excellent candidate for augmentation- under the muscle, smooth round silicone gel. I am a Mentor LEAD physician and I lean away from the anatomical (teardrop) implants because they are all textured, which makes them more rigid and less soft, and also since they are shaped if they wobble back and forth either way it can create a shape problem- I prefer round because both of these problems don't exist with round smooth silicone implants!