Women choose breast implants for a number of reasons. Some women wish to achieve a fuller or more feminine figure . . . in other words, they want larger breasts. In this case, the surgeon will consider the size of the desired implant and relate it to your natural anatomy and desired results. Generally, the larger you want your cup size, the larger the breast implant the surgeon will consider. However, the volume of the implant is of less importance than its dimensions.
Many patients have a preconceived idea about the suitable implant volume, after doing their own research, and do not realize that a low-volume implant may look big on a small woman who already had moderate-sized breasts. Conversely, relatively large implant volumes may look small on a woman with a large chest and small breasts. Suitable implants should be selected in relation to the chest shape and dimensions, the shape and amount of a woman’s breast tissue, and her desires. Your surgeon will guide the selection of the most appropriate implant shape and dimensions.
For others, breast size isn’t the primary consideration. These women consider implants as an opportunity to improve or restore the shape and lift their breasts, especially after having children. With age, a whole range of factors can contribute to changes in a woman’s breast size and shape. Over time, the breasts lose volume and firmness. In these cases, the surgeon will consider the size of a woman’s breasts, in addition to the profile and overall look she’s hoping to achieve. It is important that you discuss all your desires and considerations with your surgeon.
For the most natural look, you will probably want your new breasts to be in proportion, or balance, with your body as a whole. The width of each of your breasts will determine the space between them, or cleavage. It also determines the outer curve of your breasts, a contour that is essential to the balance between your breasts and hips. Also important is the distance your breasts extend outwards from your chest, known as projection, and the distance your breasts extend upward along your chest, known as height. The combination of height and projection determines the lift or perkiness of your breasts.
In the early days of breast augmentation, round implants were the only alternative. So, they have thus been most commonly-used. Generally, round breast implants provide a full, rounded look to the upper part of the breast and a flattering increase in cleavage. In thin or small-breasted women, this may create a less natural, 'done' look, which is one reason more and more women are choosing anatomically shaped implants. The procedure for inserting round breast implants is very straightforward, and there’s no concern about implant rotation.
It’s important to note that, as a result of gravity and the ageing of the skin and breast, the upper part of round breast implants may become emptier, which means they may droop more than anatomical breast implants over time. Another possible concern, mainly for thinner women, is a step-off in the upper pole of the breast showing the upper border of the round implant, even when placed under the muscle.
Unlike round breast implants, anatomical breast implants are a more recent development, designed to produce a more natural appearance that follows the body’s natural lines. Natrelle anatomical implants are available in many more shapes, and the procedure can be further individualized to fit specific biological conditions and patient desire. If you look at an anatomical breast implant from the front, it appears oval in shape. When viewed from the side, it appears to have more volume at the bottom. Its upper area (which your surgeon may refer to as the upper pole) gently slopes downward and outward, projecting in a more natural way. This upper portion is more likely to maintain its slope over time.
A downside of anatomical breast implants is that if they happen to rotate in the pocket created for the implant, then, given their shape, they might begin to distort the form of the breast, requiring an additional corrective procedure. To help reduce the risk of implant rotation, all anatomical implants come with a textured surface, for added tissue adherence; this helps keep the implant in the proper position after surgery. In particular, the Natrelle™ Collection offers implants with an innovative surface texture technology known as BIOCELL™ that helps maintain secure implant position. An experienced surgeon, familiar with the techniques necessary for anatomical implants, will take steps to minimize the risk of implant rotation. Overall the complications rate for anatomical implants is lower than with round implants. Find a surgeon >>
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