Round or anatomical implants: choosing the perfect breast

Discussions and disputes regarding the choice of breast implant shape remain relevant. The correct choice of implant is one of the components of the success of mammoplasty, which concerns both the patient’s final perception of the new shape of her bust and minimizing the risk of developing postoperative complications and negative consequences.

Breast implants can be of various shapes – round and anatomical. According to popular opinion, anatomical implants, unlike round ones, give the breast a natural appearance and natural softness when touched. In fact, this statement has no serious basis.

Characteristics of breast implants

Implants intended for mammoplasty differ in the following characteristics:

• form;
• volume;
• projection;
• surface texture (smooth or textured).

The choice of implant is made by the surgeon depending on the surgical goals and techniques, anatomical features and personal preferences of the patient.

The natural shape of the breast is not round, but teardrop-shaped. The gradual increase in breast volume begins with a flat slope in the upper region, rising in its lower part. Therefore, anatomical implants that imitate the effect of gravity on the breasts look more natural at first glance and are ideal for creating breast shape. Initially, they were developed for reconstructive operations (for amputated or injured mammary glands).

However, despite the fact that the installation of anatomical implants seems quite logical, many surgeons and patients prefer to use round endoprostheses for mammoplasty.

Compared to anatomical ones, the use of round-shaped implants allows you to achieve greater volume and height of the breast, creating a beautiful neckline. However, not all women are delighted with the large volume in the upper part of the breast, considering this shape unnatural and preferring anatomical implants as the most natural.

Round implants can indeed add unnaturalness and artificiality to the outline of the bust. For example, this can happen if a patient insists on installing a large-volume implant high on her chest, while the volume of her own mammary gland tissue is insufficient. In this situation, it is not the shape of the implant that is to blame, but other factors that must be taken into account before mammoplasty. Implants of any shape can look fake. This depends on the suitability of the implant and the woman’s individual body contours. Sometimes round implants look more “anatomical” than the actual anatomical ones.

Round implants implanted into the mammary glands generally “behave” more naturally than teardrop-shaped ones. In the vertical position of the patient, under the force of gravity, they independently acquire an anatomical, natural shape. Round implants also have a more advantageous appearance when the woman is in a horizontal position. Anatomical implants “give themselves away” by their lower part sticking up, while a woman’s natural breasts, according to the laws of gravity, blur. Round implants look more natural when lying down. Round implants also look more natural during active movements of a woman - jumping, running, dancing, etc.

Immediately before performing augmentation mammoplasty, the surgeon must take into account many factors - both the woman’s wishes about the shape and size of the breast, and the aesthetic vision of the doctor about the need to choose certain approaches. The surgeon is the patient’s ally, so the woman should listen to his opinion. It is the close tandem of the patient and the doctor that ensures consistently good results and satisfaction from the work done.

The surgeon's many years of experience gives him the opportunity to make an informed decision about the brand of implant, its size, access for mammoplasty and many other nuances of the operation.

Rehabilitation after correction

Recovery during the postoperative period usually proceeds without problems, as reviews with photos show. At first, swelling and pain may be observed, which can be relieved with painkillers prescribed by the surgeon. The first days after plastic surgery with size correction, the sutures are treated, and prophylactic antibiotics are also required to prevent infection.

To reduce the risk of complications after plastic surgery with size correction with implants, you must follow your doctor’s recommendations:

• a month after breast augmentation, sleep on your back, do not wave your arms or raise them above your body;
• three to four months do not overexert yourself, do not perform physical activity, do not play sports;
• for two months after mammoplasty, do not go to saunas and baths, swimming pools, the beach or public reservoirs;
• From 1.5 to 3 months after surgery, constantly wear individually selected compression garments and wear them for another year before physical activity;
• periodically sign up for consultations and examinations with a surgeon to evaluate the results of breast correction and monitor dynamics.

According to reviews, undesirable consequences in patients occur infrequently. But almost any teardrop-shaped, that is, anatomical implant, after installation can rotate – turn in the mammary gland. There are also risks of complete or partial loss of nipple sensitivity, hematomas, suture dehiscence, seromas, infection and sepsis, capsular contracture, suppuration, etc. To prevent complications, follow the surgeon’s instructions given during the postoperative consultation.

Round implants

A characteristic feature of round implants is that the height of the implant is equal to the width of its base. The point of maximum projection is located under the center of the implant base. Thus, the difference between all round implants of the same width lies in the size of the projection.

When placed in the tissue of a patient in a standing position, round implants may appear somewhat teardrop-shaped. This degree depends, first of all, on how high the density or compliance of the shells and filler of the implants is, as well as the properties of the patient’s tissues. When a round implant is placed under the pectoral muscle, the teardrop shape increases, in contrast to its supramuscular location, which is explained by the pressure of the pectoral muscle on the upper pole of the implant.

Which brand of breast implants is best?

Currently, breast implants from different manufacturers are available; in Moscow you can find American, German, French, English, Brazilian and even Korean. Of course, such diversity confronts the patient with a difficult choice, especially since each company positions its products as the best. Externally, all breast implants are similar, their prices differ little, but each implant manufacturer has its own characteristics. And here you should listen to the opinion of a surgeon whom you trust and who has extensive experience working with different types of implants.

Of course, you should choose only the highest quality ones. I advise you to consider only those for which the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty. Among the leading companies, some also provide a guarantee against capsular contracture (Polytech, Motiva). But there are many nuances here too.

For example, I refused to use implants, which in practice give a higher percentage of rotation (turning), as well as brands with a likelihood of ripping (ripples on the surface). I don't like others because of their density (less natural feel).

For repeated operations, a more reliable option would be to choose polyurethane-coated implants (Polytech, Silimed). Well, of course, it is necessary to take into account your anatomical parameters, individual characteristics such as tissue density, etc.

I will not separately list all the existing negative and positive aspects of different companies, so that it does not look like advertising or anti-advertising. During the consultation, we will be able to consider any brands of implants certified in the Russian Federation and choose the most suitable one for you. As your surgeon, I am interested in choosing implants that will provide the best and longest-lasting results without causing any problems throughout your life.

Teardrop-shaped (anatomical) implants

These implants are called anatomical due to the fact that this shape most closely matches the natural shape of the mammary gland. The main feature of teardrop-shaped implants is the location of the point of maximum projection of the implant below the center of its height, i.e. at the bottom of the implant. The vast majority of anatomical implants have different widths and base heights.

The main criterion for distinguishing teardrop-shaped implants with the same base width from each other is not only the size of the projection, but also different heights, which makes it possible for manufacturers to create wide universal model ranges of implants of the same style, differing in width, height and projection.

Thanks to this diversity, the surgeon has the opportunity to select the required shape of the implant for almost any variant of the anatomical features of the mammary glands.

Typical myths about implants

Structured or smooth? You may have read about such varieties on the Internet. Forget it! Breast implants with a smooth surface are outdated and are almost no longer produced today. Also, there is no need to think about implants with saline solution inside - this is a thing of the past (they are not used anywhere except for temporary installation in the process of breast reconstruction after amputation). I also hasten to dispel the “immortal” myth about health hazards. Breast implants have been repeatedly tested and verified both in laboratories and in practice. You don't have to worry about this. Implants do not affect breastfeeding in any way and, of course, in world practice there has not yet been a single case of a breast implant exploding on an airplane.

Profile

The profile is considered one of the most important characteristics of the shape of the implant, representing the percentage ratio of the width of the base of the implant to the size of its projection. The smaller the base width and the larger the projection, the more high-profile the implants are considered. The “convexity” (with a high profile) or “flatness” (with a low profile) of the implant depends on the size of the profile.

Each manufacturer has its own idea of ​​a high or low profile, which is due to the fact that they use different types of casings and fillers for the manufacture of their products, which differ in the degree of density and other characteristics.

In view of this, implants from different manufacturers differ in their ability to maintain the profile while in the tissue of the mammary glands.

For example, the McGhan line of implants is represented by several types, differing in profile height:

• low-profile implants (up to 32%);
• medium-profile implants (32-38%);
• high-profile implants (more than 38%).

How to choose the right implants

When installing round implants, greater fullness of the upper pole and less fullness of the lower pole of the mammary glands is ensured, which distinguishes them from teardrop-shaped implants, other things being equal. This is more pronounced with a denser shell and filler of the implant. In addition, the upper contour of round implants is visualized brighter than teardrop-shaped ones in patients with a thin layer of integumentary tissue. When using round implants, there is a higher risk of “corrugation” or folds. These manifestations are less common when installing implants with a denser shell and filler.

Anatomical implants are characterized by greater fullness of the lower pole and less fullness of the upper pole. This is more pronounced in implants with a higher profile and lower height, denser shell and filler. Thanks to this property, drop-shaped implants have an effect that “lifts” the mammary gland, which makes it possible to use them to correct sagging breasts.

Teardrop-shaped implants, more than round ones, tend to retain their shape when the body position changes. This property is more pronounced in implants with a denser shell and filler.

Drop-shaped implants, as a rule, are more expensive than round ones from the same company.

Women with different body types and different chest types are characterized by certain types of breast shapes.

Normosthenics most often have a rounded shape of the mammary glands with a width approximately equal to the height, however, there are exceptions to this rule.

Patients with a hypersthenic physique are characterized by a predominance of the width of the mammary gland over its height, and in women with an asthenic physique, height often predominates. In such cases, if the patient wants to maximize breast size, it is advisable to use teardrop-shaped implants, the models of which can be either “high” or “wide”, in contrast to round-shaped implants that have equal width and height.

It is necessary to choose an implant profile taking into account the fact that the higher it is, the greater the magnification will have a stronger visual effect, however, the resulting result may look less natural. The most beautiful shape of the mammary glands is provided by medium-profile implants. However, in some situations, the use of high-profile implants is unavoidable: for example, when it is necessary to adequately fill significant excess skin with sagging mammary glands to achieve a lifting effect. High-profile implants are also used for patients with a narrow chest who want to achieve maximum breast enlargement.

At the Moscow Institute of Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery, we perform 3D modeling of the result of plastic surgery using the CRISALIX system, which allows our patients to see various options and make a choice!

Thus, it is impossible to unambiguously determine the ideal shape of implants. The most universal in general and suitable for correcting sagging breasts among them are teardrop-shaped implants. Round implants are most suitable for maximizing filling of the upper pole of the breast. In addition, round-shaped implants are considered more preferable when performing mammoplasty using axillary (axillary) access.

The choice of implants must be made taking into account all the features, advantages and disadvantages of teardrop-shaped and round implants, as well as the woman’s wishes for the shape of the breast, the properties of its tissues and the aesthetic preferences of both the patient and the surgeon.

How to prepare for breast augmentation surgery with teardrop implants

To prepare for breast augmentation surgery with drop-shaped implants, you need to undergo an examination, including:

• blood tests: general, syphilis, hepatitis and HIV, biochemistry, coagulability (coagulogram), Rh factor and group;
• general urine analysis;
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• ECG;
• fluorography;
• as indicated, other studies and diagnostic procedures, for example, MRI or CT;
• if necessary, consultations and examinations of narrow specialists: gynecologist, phlebologist, surgeon, oncologist, cardiologist, mammologist, endocrinologist.

It is mandatory to take tests and undergo an examination: this will allow you to assess the condition of the breast and body, identify possible contraindications, as well as analyze the risks and simulate the expected results of breast augmentation.

Also, preparing for the upcoming breast augmentation surgery with teardrop-shaped implants includes some rules:

• refusal of drugs that affect blood clotting two weeks before plastic surgery (these are anticoagulants, NSAIDs, vitamin E);
• stopping smoking and drinking alcohol a week before the surgery date;
• switch to a healthy diet at least a week before surgery;
• taking a bath or shower on the eve of breast augmentation (one day before plastic surgery);
• refusal to eat and drink 9-12 hours before the scheduled time of surgery.

More detailed recommendations for preparing for surgery will be provided by the plastic surgeon during the preoperative consultation.

Photos before and after surgery

Photo of the patient before and after (1 year later) installation of Allergan Natrelle TRF365 round implants.

Photograph of the patient before and after surgery (1.4 years later) for breast augmentation with anatomical implants MM320. The patient's height is 168 cm, chest circumference is 71 cm. The implants are installed through the lower edge of the areola, under the pectoral muscle.

OTHER PHOTOS

Prices

The cost of services depends on various factors:

• clinic pricing policy;
• doctor's qualifications;
• complexity of the operation;
• cities (in Moscow, operations are more expensive than in smaller cities);
• manufacturer, surface type and size of implants;
• manipulations and materials included in the service package (surgery, work of an anesthesiologist and nurses, dressings, medications, linen).

You can find out more about prices in the corresponding sections.

Installment plan

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