Why Do Some Women's Breast Implants Look Like 2 Round Rocks?

Question

Dear Doctors, I know this is a very silly question but I have seen many women with breast implants, and when the breasts end up very large they end up looking like 2 hard spheres, especially on smaller girls. I know that many women like this look, but it looks completely unnatural (In my opinion only) Why does this happen, and do your patients like this result? Thank you.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Implants that look like rocks can occur in a few different situations.  A common cause is capsular contracture which is the development of firm scar tissue which contracts around the implant, making it feel hard.  In other cases, the implant is simply much too large for the woman's build, so it appears and feels stuffed.  But some women like it like that.

James F. Boynton, MD, FACS · Answer

The "baywatch" breast is the shape and description you are referring to I think.  Patients that select extremely large implants for their frame that have very little native breast tissue end up with "large round" implants with very little tissue to cover them.  They are also often hard. Often they also develop malpositions also known as "bottoming out" because of the excess weight of the implants.  I try my best to avoid this type of augmentation.

Brian J. Lee, MD · Answer

There are several reasons that some implants look more round and unnatural than others. My preference is to make the breast look as natural as possible with s soft slope or gradual take off from the upper part of the chest/breast. This is better achieved by placing the implant under the muscle. Another reason is the type of implant. Mentor makes three profiles of implants, Moderate, Moderate Plus and High Profile. The higher the profile the more round the look. Lastly, as previously described by others is capsular contracture (Scar tissue compressing the implant and causing it to harden and bulge).

In summary, the three reasons for round implants are:

1. Placement above the muscle (controllable)

2. Type/profile of the implant used (controllable)

3. Capsular contracture (probably not controllable)

Marialyn Sardo, MD · Answer

Several factors can contribute to breasts looking like round spheres on the chest. One factor is too large an implant with too little breast tissue over it.  Capsular contracture can also round up the implant and make it look like a ball. Placement of the implants over the muscle, especially if they are large with little tissue and capsule contraction can further create this unnatural turned over bowl look.  While some women's anatomy increases the probability of this look, it can mostly be avoided by appropriately sized implants and good surgical judgment and technique.  But as you mentioned, some women actually like the "fake" look!

Donald M. Brown, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question......which i might add is certainly not silly.  The reason that these breast implants look like round rocks is that the implants are too large for the patient.  I always tell my patients that the final appearance of the augmented breast is the result of the combination of their breast tissue and the implant.  Having more breast tissue to "hide" the implant will allow them to have larger implants and still appear natural.  Conversely, the smaller their natural breast and the larger the implant the more un-natural the final appearance will be.  Finding that right balance requires much discussion with your plastic surgeon.

Why Do Some Women's Breast Implants Look Like 2 Round Rocks?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breasts like rocks

Answer: Breasts like rocks

Answer: Why do some breast implants look like round rocks.

Answer: Why do some breast implants look like round rocks.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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Why Do Some Women's Breast Implants Look Like 2 Round Rocks?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breasts like rocks

Answer: Breasts like rocks

Answer: Why do some breast implants look like round rocks.

Answer: Why do some breast implants look like round rocks.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.