Sizes and Shapes of Breast Implants

Sizes and Shapes of Breast Implants

When people undergo breast augmentation surgery to enhance the size and shape of their breast tissue, they expect to obtain breast implants that match the size and shape requirement that they want. The human body is a beautifully designed creation that is marked by little differences from person to person. As a result, many individuals that are interested in obtaining breast implants have questions regarding the sizes and shapes of breast implants.

As a cosmetic surgical technique that has been around for decades, plastic surgeons are now able to access a limitless range of breast implants that range in size and shape. Due to this, patients can expect that they will obtain an implant that custom match their bodies. During the consultation phase that a patient will have with their plastic surgeon, it will be determined which size and shape of a breast implant will best suit the patient's expectations. At this stage, it is important for the patient to make clear their specific personal preference in terms of the size and shape of the breast implants that they will be obtaining.

The goal of the procedure

For most breast augmentation patients, the goal of the surgery is to obtain a proportional look. For that reason, the most popular change in breast implant size are patients that want to increase their breast size from an A cup to a C cup. The common standard is that a breast implant should not exceed a growth of two cup sizes and this is evident in breast augmentation patients that have B cup sized breasts that undergo breast augmentation to increase their breast size to a C cup or a D cup. Any increases over two cups can create problems in proportionality, which can reverse the desired outcome of breast augmentation surgery.

To determine what would be an appropriate breast implant size, it is important that you consult with a plastic surgeon. Based on their experience, they will be able to provide helpful suggestions. However, it is essential that you remain committed to the outcome that you expect from your breast augmentation treatment. Some breast augmentation patients have complained that they ended up with breast implants whose size and shape were largely determined by their plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are human like everybody else and often feel comfortable working within their own personal preference of breast implant size and shapes. Therefore, you should also measure your hip to bust ratio, as this is a good indicator of an appropriate breast size increase. This will provide you with valuable information that you can use when talking to your plastic surgeon.

In addition to determining the size of breast implants, it is a good idea for breast augmentation patients to know their options regarding breast implant shape. Breast implant shape can either take the form of a round implant, which conforms to the natural shape of the breast, or an anatomical implant, which is the implant shape that is most suited for breast augmentation patients that have had large parts of their breast removed in prior operations such as mastectomy reconstruction.

Round breast implants

Round implants are the most popular type of implant shape because they provide the most natural look and feel of the two options. Additionally, round implants typically have the fewest amount of potential complications associated with it. However, round implants generally offers less control over long-term superior pole fullness for patients. The superior pole refers to the upper portion of the breast.

The anatomical implant is also known as the tear drop implant due to its shape and has the advantage of providing a contour that mirrors the natural shape of a breast. Additionally, anatomical breast implants provide greater control of superior pole fullness for breast augmentation patients, an advantage that usually pertains for long-chested patients. However, anatomical implants do have their disadvantages as it only uses a textured surface so it adheres to breast tissue to avoid rotating in the body. If the anatomical implant were to rotate, this can cause complications, as the upper portion of the implant can become inappropriately positioned outward or inward.