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Breast Implant Shapes

The two basic breast implant shapes are round and tear drop, also known as anatomical or contoured. Both come in many different sizes and profiles. The reasons for choosing one breast implant shape over another include a woman’s unique aesthetic goals, preferred incision location, and implant placement. Her individual anatomy — including body type, sternum width, chest-wall contour, and existing breast tissue — also influences the decision.

At West County Plastic Surgeons, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Terry Myckatyn and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum understand that breast implant selection can be a complicated process, so they work closely and take plenty of time with their patients to help them choose the best breast implant shape to help create beautiful, natural-looking breasts.

To learn more about breast implants and find out which shape would work best for you, contact our St. Louis office by phoning (314) 996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or emailing us today.

Breast Implant Shapes for St. Louis Patients

If you are considering breast enhancement surgery or have already scheduled your initial consultation, you can get a head start now by thinking about the basic benefits and drawbacks of round and teardrop implants. The two basic breast implant shapes are explained below.

Round Breast Implants

At West County Plastic Surgeons, most of our patients prefer round implants, the original breast implant shape, reflecting a worldwide trend. Many women prefer the smooth, round implant because of the added fullness, lift, and cleavage it gives them.

Round implants resemble a compressed ball. They can be filled with saline or silicone gel, creating a soft, round, well-proportioned appearance. Patients can choose either a textured or a smooth surface. Because they are circular, flat and uniform in appearance, patients experience minimal variation in fullness or projection between the top and bottom of the implant. A round breast implant can be the ideal choice for women who prefer a full upper pole, or upper portion of the breast. In addition, high-profile round implants stick out, or project, farther from the body, accentuating the silhouette and giving many women the results they desire.

Compared to a teardrop implant, a round implant is less likely to wrinkle, and if it rotates or shifts out of position, it is less noticeable and causes fewer difficulties. In terms of safety, round implants have caused fewer complications than teardrop implants, and they typically cost less.

Teardrop-Shaped Breast Implants

Patients who choose teardrop-shaped implants often do so because they want the most natural look and feel, and they find that round implants often look or feel artificial—like an obvious “boob job.” Like most natural breasts, teardrop-shaped implants are thinner at the top than they are at the bottom, gradually sloping to a fuller and more projected fullness below the nipple. Teardrop implants often have a textured surface to prevent shifting or rotation within the chest. They can be filled only with silicone gel, not saline, and the newer products, often referred to as “gummy bear implants,” offer the option of a highly cohesive, form-stable gel that retains its breast implant shape, looks natural, and is soft to the touch.

The tear drop implant can be an ideal choice for women who want to correct mild sagging, or ptosis, because the breast implant shape and material alone can sufficiently elevate the breasts, eliminating the need for breast lift surgery. Patients with significant sagging, however, will require a combined breast lift and breast augmentation for the youthful, lifted appearance they desire.

Breast Implant Profiles

Both breast implant shapes, round and tear drop, come in a variety of sizes and profiles, a term that refers to how far the breast projects forward from the chest wall. A high-profile breast implant has the smallest base width and produces the most pronounced silhouette. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a moderate-profile implant features a wider base width and a more natural-looking forward projection from the chest.

Implant selection, including breast implant shape, is an essential part of preparing for breast augmentation. At West County Plastic Surgeons, we have years of experience using all types of breast implants, and we will take as much time as necessary to help you choose a breast implant shape and size that is right for you. Our primary goal is your safety and personal satisfaction. To schedule a consultation for breast enhancement surgery, contact our St. Louis office by phoning (314) 996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or emailing us today.