Sizes and Shapes of Breast Implants

One of the most common questions that a plastic surgeon is asked relate to the options of sizes and shapes of breast implants. Breast implants has a wide range of variance in terms of shape and size that are designed to be suited to each individual patient. As a result, the size of breast implants that a patient receives will be largely dependent on their personal preference.

If you do decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery, it is recommended that you consider the size and shape of the breasts that you want following the treatment. By having a clear idea of the size, shape, and type of the breast implant that you want, you will be more likely to be happier about the results of the treatment. Many patients that have been unhappy about their breast implants underwent the surgery without a clear idea of the size and shape of the implant that they wanted. As a result, they ended up with breast implants that were largely determined by the personal preferences of the plastic surgeon performing this surgery. By making it clear to your plastic surgeon about the size and shape of the breast implants that you want you will have more control over the final result of your breast augmentation surgery.

When it comes to determining the size of the breast implant that you want, you should consider how the breast implants would affect your overall appearance. Studies have shown that the most popular change in breast size were patients that increased their breast size from an A cup to a C cup. Other popular breast size changes were women that increased from a B cup to a C cup or who increased their breast size from a B cup to a D cup.

It is typically recommended that patients not exceed a two-cup increase in terms of breast size as such a drastic change would generally impact your overall appearance negatively. A good indicator of breast size increase is hip to bust ratio. Regardless of the decision you make about the size of your breast implant, keep in mind how this change will affect how you look in general.

In terms of breast implant shape, patients are faced with two options. These options are: a round implant that conforms to the natural shape of the breast and an anatomical implant that is typically used on patients who has had large parts of the breasts removed in previous operations like a mastectomy reconstruction.

To help you choose between these two breast implant shape options, a list of the pros and cons of each implant shape option will be given:

Round Implant

Pros:

• Provides the most natural look and feel.
• Associated with the fewest number of potential complications

Cons:

• Offers less control over long-term superior pole (upper portion of the breast) fullness.

Anatomical "Tear Drop" Implant

Pros:

• Provides a contour that is similar to the natural shape of a breast.
• Provides greater control of superior pole fullness for long-chested women.

Cons:

• Uses only a textured surface in order for it to adhere to breast tissue and not rotate in the body.
• Has a possibility that if rotated, the upper portion of the implant could be inappropriately positioned outward or inward.