Implant Shapes: Selecting a Breast Implant in New Jersey
By Dr. Evan S. Sorokin, M.D.
Patients who schedule consultations at my office in Cherry Hill, New Jersey learn that breast implants come in different shapes and sizes. The two shapes offered are either round or teardrop, also known as "anatomic." Round implants are more commonly used by cosmetic surgeons, but some New Jersey patients find that teardrop-shaped implants are best for them.
Round breast implants are available in a variety of different widths and projections, giving patients numerous options to choose from. These implants are offered in low, moderate, and high profile; the profile refers to how far an implant protrudes from the chest when compared with its width. Also, these implants are offered in both smooth and textured styles, with smooth implants designed to be more mobile and soft compared to textured implants.
Anatomic or teardrop implants were designed to offer a more natural looking breast by giving the lower half of the implant more projection than the top half. The fuller lower half is supposed to mimic the natural shape of a breast, but since the implant is asymmetrical, it needs to be positioned very precisely so that it does not move around. This means that most teardrop implants are textured so that they will not shift after the surgery, but unfortunately this type of implant still may rotate over time, leading to marked difference in shape between the two breasts. Obviously, patients are very unhappy with such a result. Because of the risk of rotation, most cosmetic surgeons in New Jersey and nationwide choose to avoid use of this breast implant type.
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Like most surgeons, I prefer to use round implants for most patients. Extremely thin patients with very little breast tissue, or patients who seek reconstruction after mastectomy may benefit from an anatomic implant. However, most patients with even a small amount of breast tissue can obtain a natural-looking enhanced breast without the downsides of anatomic implants.
I prefer that patients come in for a consultation open to their implant options, rather than being set on an implant size and shape based on what a friend has or internet photos. Some patients may come to their appointment with an implant catalog number in hand, while other patients may send me an email asking, "Do you offer ABC implant in XYZ size?" These patients may have completed their own research beforehand, but no patient can be expected to decide which implant will give her an optimal outcome without first consulting with a surgeon. In my experience, an implant is best chosen based on chest wall measurements, pre-existing breast characteristics, and a detailed discussion of patient desires. A board-certified plastic surgeon is in the right position to recommend attractive options based on his or her experience.
When researching breast implants, New Jersey cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sorokin is available to answer your questions and help guide you through the implant selection process. Request a consultation online or call us at 856-872-4158 to set up an appointment.
