Round implants are more popular for fuller.
The question of whether to choose Teardrop (Anatomical) or Round breast implants is probably the most frequent topic of discussion at our consultations in Lin Europe Clinic. We see that patients have usually already made up their mind and are convinced that “Teardrop means natural” while “Round means fake.” This black and white perspective is perfectly explainable considering how plastic surgery is consistently shown in the media, but the truth about modern breast augmentation is significantly more complicated. There is no such thing as a “better” implant in general; it entirely depends on the individual’s anatomy, the quantity of their natural tissue, and their own specific aesthetic targets.
We at Lin Europe Clinic want to clear up the confusion caused by these persistent rumors regarding the two shapes. It might even be a round implant that looks stunningly natural and barely noticeable on the right frame, whereas a teardrop implant still comes with a number of very specific long-term risks of which many patients are not entirely aware. Deciding which shape to go for is not simply a matter of choosing a product from a catalog; it is about reconciling the wish for upper-pole fullness with the need for a natural slope, and then finding your skin and muscle qualities that correspond to such a wish.
Round Implants: The Lift and Fullness
Round implants are equal 3D spheres, similar to a squished ball or a jellyfish. Since the top part has as much space for volume as the bottom part, they are the ultimate means for the production of Upper Pole Fullness. They give you that nice “push-up bra” effect without the necessity of any padding. If you want to have a curvy, lifted figure with a clearly pronounced, rounded cleavage line, then very probably a round implant is the only way to get exactly that kind of result, especially if you experienced volume loss after breastfeeding.
That is not to say, however, that the fear that round implants will resemble “bolted-on softballs” is primal as far as modern surgery is concerned. Just to remind you, the last look depends so much on placement. If a round implant is positioned Under the Muscle (Dual Plane), then the pectoral muscle covers the top half of the implant. Due to the muscle contraction, the pressure will squeeze the top of the sphere thereby flattening it while the volume will be pushed downward. This way a teardrop shape is formed in the body. Frankly speaking, for a woman with typical amount of breast tissue, a round implant that is placed submuscular will give the same result as a teardrop-shaped implant and, at the same time, it will be softer to the touch and offering a smoother slope.
Teardrop Implants: The Anatomical Slope
Teardrop implants, also called anatomical, have the form of a pear: the top part is thinner and more tapered while the bottom part is fuller. They are engineered to be very close to the natural breast in size and shape giving a shoulder to nipple straight line which is soft and unbroken. They can be described as masters of extremes and totally suitable for ladies with volume that refrain from the top-bulge or any artificial roundness/a “bulge” at the top of their breasts.
In many cases, these implants are a medical necessity for women with very limited breast tissue supply or those having Tuberous Breast Deformity. This is when patient lacks enough breast tissue to cover or fake the shape of a round implant. An anatomical utilizes the other side where it provides the function of a mold. Thus, being made up of firmer, highly cohesive gel, it essentially pushes the tight skin of the lower breast outward to take its shape. For a flat-chested girl, a teardrop implant will produce something like a B or C cup and, in contrast, a round implant will be too disturbing visually due to the ribs.
The Critical Risk: Rotation and Texture
Rotation is the biggest drawback of teardrop implants. A round implant is symmetrical in all aspects so if you continue to twist it without the knowledge of anyone inside your chest; the implant will be the same from any angle. Meanwhile, a teardrop implant’s shape decides it has to be used in a particular way. Thus, if the implant rotates—via trade upward or sideways owing to the strength of the hands used exercisering, traum or the pout d with—then the bshape becomes instantly distorted.
For the purpose of stopping this movement, the teardrop implants have to be provided with a Textured Surface (similar to sandpaper or Velcro) which is expected to grip the surrounding tissue and thus a kind of lock is created. Such a strong texture has been a debate in the field of medicine recently. In line with patient safety preference, most practitioners nowadays will try to use smooth round implants. They will sacrifice the aspect of rotation of the teardrop implant for the longer-term safety of the patient.
The Ergonomic Evolution: The Best of Both Worlds
Some innovative round implants have recently been introduced to the market that can be called “Ergonomic” implants because they have the ability to combine the properties of the two main implant types. They consist of a unique, highly flexible gel that moves with gravity inside a round shell.
The implant will assume an almost perfectly round shape when placed on the back because it corresponds to the natural breast. When setting or standing, however, the gel will be pulled down by gravity thus causing the upper pole to flatten and the lower pole to bulge. As a result, a natural hanging of a breast is formed without it being anatomically fixed or aggressively textured.
Choice in Turkey
We at Lin Europe Clinic in Turkey do not impose a “house style” on our patients. Physical sizers and 3D imaging are used during your consultation to show exactly how differently each shape fits with your particular chest wall. Thus, we visualize the difference between a high-profile round and a moderate-profile anatomical look.
In 80% of cases, we see that for cosmetic patients, simply a round implant placed dual-plane is able to give the soft and quite natural-looking result they really want without the risk of teardrop rotation. Only in the case of our reconstruction or severe asymmetry correction patients, the teardrop implant remains an essential tool for the restoration of natural anatomy. We provide you with the pros and cons such that your decision is a medical one, not merely a result of internet myths.
Frequently Asked Questions About Implant Shapes
It is not always the case. When a round implant is placed under the muscle, the muscle pressure compresses the top of the round implant, thus forming a natural teardrop slope which is in many cases not distinguishable from an anatomical implant.
When a teardrop implant rotates, a person’s breast will appear distorted or “deformed” as the fullness will be in the wrong place. The issue is usually fixed with a revision surgery.
Teardrop implants certainly cost more as they are usually more expensive to produce. Besides, they take more surgical skills to be perfectly aligned, thus resulting in a slightly higher cost of the surgery.
Generally, round implants feel softer because they can be filled with less cohesive gel; meanwhile, teardrop implants need a firmer “gummy bear” gel to keep their exact shape against the pull of gravity.
One of the reasons why surgeons prefer round implants is that such implants are free from the risk of rotation deformity and they can be made with smooth surfaces, thus are less likely to be associated with ALCL.
Maxwell, G. P., & Gabriel, A. (2014). Biofilms and breast implant contracture: Was the era of texture a mistake? Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Wixtrom, R. N., et al. (2019). The safety of textured vs. smooth breast implants: A comprehensive review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Hammond, D. C. (2013). The choice of round vs. shaped implants for breast augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
