How do anatomical implants differ from round ones? Round or anatomical breast implants. How to make the right choice? Anatomical and round shape of implants

It is round implants that are the most popular among all types of endoprostheses, which are designed to correct and increase the shape of the breast. Their main advantage is their inability to significantly spoil its appearance when turning and shifting. That is why they are preferred in most cases by plastic surgeons.

Kinds

Generation of implants

Today, third-generation implants are used for operations, which have become much safer than their predecessors and do not require scheduled replacement.

Fillers

It could be:

Salt still retains market share due to the existing and media-supported perception of the dangers of silicone for the body.

In fact, it is these implants that cause the greatest number of inconveniences to their customers, since water seeps through the shell of the prosthesis, the prosthesis loses volume and gradually “deflates”.

And due to the fact that the saline solution easily overflows in the implant, they can gurgle so that it can be heard by people nearby.

If we talk about silicone gel, then modern gel is cohesive, i.e. non-fluid. It adheres to the shell and does not leave the implant cavity even if it is damaged. The video below shows just one such implant, which is cut with scissors in order to test the declared properties of the gel.

Additional safety is provided by a special three-layer shell that blocks the seepage of the gel to the outside. Multi-chamber implants are two spheres, one inside the other. In the first, outer chamber, there is a layer of silicone. Inside is a cavity that is filled with saline.

Such implants are better than saline ones in that the risk of splashing or gurgling noise is much less. They are better than silicone because the solution is injected into the implant during surgery. And this means that the size of each breast individually can be adjusted in order to get a symmetrical bust in the end.

Biocompatible or bioimplants are implants that are filled with a gel based on the natural polymer carboxymethylcellulose. The polymer, when it enters the tissue from a ruptured implant, is absorbed without a trace.

Their only drawback is the gradual seepage and resorption of the gel, as a result of which they lose volume and begin to require replacement.

Forms

The profile of the implant is determined by the ratio of its thickness to the length of the base. A high profile means that the implant itself is more convex. A low profile usually means it will be flatter. The presence of several options for the thickness of endoprostheses allows you to choose the best option, taking into account the structure of the patient's chest, in order to obtain the most natural breast in each case.

Video: Sectional silicone implant

Round breast implants after placement

There is such a common belief that round implants are suitable only for very young girls, and for those who are older, it is better to put anatomical endoprostheses. In fact, all women are very different. And physical parameters, such as shoulder width, chest dimensions, height, weight, are very different. In the same way, women's expectations regarding the final result of breast augmentation differ.

For someone with the first breast size of 250 ml, it will be more than enough, but for someone on the third own size of 320 ml, it will not be enough. Therefore, someone will need an anatomical implant, while a round one is quite suitable for someone.

When choosing, consider the following. When a round implant is placed vertically on the chest, it changes its shape, since the gel in its cavity shifts more towards the lower pole, i.e. its shape approaches the drop-shaped. And then add pressure on the upper pole of the pectoralis major prosthesis, under which it is partially located. This brings the final shape of the implant even closer to the teardrop shape.

Therefore, if you are at a crossroads and cannot decide which is better, round or anatomical, then it is better to choose for yourself the size and shape of the breast that you want, and leave their choice to your surgeon.

Which is better to choose

The most demanded in the market of breast endoprostheses are the products of such companies as Mentor, Eurosilicone, McGan. If we compare prices, then products manufactured under the McGan trademark belong to the highest price category. This is due to the large number of innovations that the manufacturer uses when releasing its products.

In particular, McGan endoprostheses have:

• a special shell that prevents the displacement and rotation of implants;
• a special form of silicone gel - a highly cohesive gel that retains its elasticity after vulcanization, but always returns to its original shape after deformation;
• a huge range of implants, which allows you to choose an individual prosthesis for any woman with any requests.

Statistically, Mentor has the lowest risk of developing capsular contracture. Eurosilicone has proven itself in Europe and the world as consistently high quality and safe. If you are planning to buy implants from other companies, then first of all, read the information about the manufacturer, the manufacturing plant, and the availability of product quality certificates. And in no case do not buy into phrases like "This is a trade secret" in response to your questions.

The origin of a product becomes a trade secret when it is not profitable for the seller to disclose any information about the product. Well-known European and American manufacturers are proud that they not only have head offices, but also the production itself is located on the territory of Europe or the States. You will be happy to name the country and city in which the production is located.

Video: Mentor implants

How to decide on an operation

12 simple rules that will allow you to get the best result of mammoplasty and a minimum of problems in the future.

• Rule number one: breasts are constantly changing.

This means that you need to take into account possible changes in the shape and size of the breast in the future under the influence of changes in body weight, pregnancy and breastfeeding, care, age and other reasons. And do not expect that plastic surgery will preserve the desired shape of the breast for decades.

This will avoid disappointment in the future from the fact that drooping of the operated breast, implant displacement, breast flattening, implant contouring and other changes may develop.

Also, taking into account the possible change in the shape of the breast in the future allows you to choose such a volume and configuration of implants that will allow the breast to look natural not only at a young age, but also at a more mature age.

• Rule two: the choice of a surgeon and a clinic must be taken seriously.

It's not a secret for anyone that in most clinics, breast augmentation surgeries are put on stream and are performed one after another with virtually no interruptions. For yourself, it is better to choose a clinic and a surgeon who still leave time to perform all the necessary manipulations in full, even when it takes more time.

A simple example is capsular contracture. One of the factors why it develops is the discrepancy between the size of the pocket that is formed under the implant and the implant itself. A large prosthesis is pushed into a small pocket, which ultimately does not contribute to the normal healing and beauty of the breast, leads to the development of connective tissue, eruption of sutures, tissue necrosis.

The second simple example is implant displacement. It happens when the pocket is very large for a particular implant. In order for the pocket to fit it, the surgeon needs to have a set of sizers - special prostheses that are inserted into the pocket during its formation in order to control its compliance with the implant. And several sizes to choose from, slightly larger and slightly smaller than those that need to be installed, in order to be able to choose the optimal size during the operation, instead of stuffing the wrong size prosthesis into the formed pocket.

It would seem that in the description everything is logical. But such an operation can take up to an hour and a half, and most plastic surgeons want to reduce this time to 40 minutes. It is good if this is a concern for the health of the patient in order to reduce the time of anesthesia. It is bad if operations are put on stream in order to bring maximum profit to the clinic.

• Rule three: the patient must know everything. Forewarned is forearmed.

The necessary amount of information about augmentation mammoplasty, the features of pain relief, types of implants, the course of the postoperative period enable a woman to more consciously approach the problem of choosing the required volume, the future shape of the breast.

In the postoperative period, informed patients can quickly orient themselves if something goes wrong, they know by what day the swelling will go down, they know that violating the doctor's recommendations is the best way to harm yourself.

Some surgeons at the consultation refrain from discussing such details as how swelling affects the shape of the breast, when the long-awaited “ramp” appears instead of the bulge of the upper pole, which spoils the whole picture, how contractions of the pectoralis major muscle affect the shape of the implant, which there may be complications of the operation and when to start worrying. As a result, those patients who do not have information turn out to be helpless in a number of situations and begin to look for answers on forums and from people who are far from the topic, which only adds fuel to the fire of doubts and fears.

• Rule four: the larger the volume of the implant, the worse the long-term results.

Each implant has its own weight. This weight is added to the breast's own weight. As a result, the process of breast prolapse only accelerates.

Also, a large implant may begin to palpate or contour if there is not enough soft tissue to close it.

• Rule five: the choice of the location of the implant is best left to the surgeon.

Depending on the shape and size of the own breast, the structure of the patient's body and her physical activity, the surgeon can choose the best option for its placement in order to ensure the best result of the operation.

• Rule six: the patient chooses the type, shape and size of implants together with the doctor.

This is due to the different cost of different manufacturing companies, and their different characteristics, such as the degree of elasticity / rigidity. For some, it will be important that the softness of the implant is no different from the softness of the natural tissue of the gland, and for the second it will be important that the implant perfectly keeps its shape. In the second case, you will have to choose a more rigid implant.

• Rule seven: the shape of the breast changes under the influence of the volume of the implant, but does not always exactly repeat its shape.

In order to end up with a breast of a certain shape, it is necessary to take into account a lot of characteristics when choosing implants, such as the thickness of the glandular tissue, the amount of subcutaneous fat, the height and width of the mammary gland, the structure of the chest, and much more.

Therefore, before the consultation, it is best for the client to decide not so much on a specific implant, but on what kind of breast she wants. And the surgeon will select the implant for the result that the woman needs.

• Rule eight: it is better to approach the choice of the incision site with knowledge of the matter.

Cuts can be made:

1. under breast: the most convenient access for performing the operation and the safest access in terms of the possible risk of damage to the glandular tissue;
2. Around the nipple: there is a risk of damage to the ducts and glandular tissue, it is difficult to form a pocket for the prosthesis, scars remain along the contour of the areola;
3. From the armpit: there is a risk of contouring the implant, since the lower fixation points of the chest muscles are damaged during pocket formation, it is difficult to form a pocket, there is no 100% guarantee that the seam in the armpit will not be noticeable.

• Rule nine: in the first days after the operation, the breasts may look terrible, but this is not a reason to be upset.

During the first week after surgery, the breasts may become almost twice as large as expected due to swelling. Plus there is a period when the implant is above its intended placement. In this situation, there is no need to panic. You just need to give your body time to recover. Surgeons even came up with a metaphorical description of this process, which they called "The Melting Island": the ice around the island will melt, the island will remain.

• Rule tenth: everyone can have complications.

Here it is better to act consciously, instead of relying on chance or shifting responsibility to the surgeon.

This means that there is no need to hide from the doctor the presence of diseases or conditions that can lead to complications of anesthesia or surgery, go to surgery with malaise or symptoms of a disease that occurs in an acute form or is an exacerbation of a chronic process.

What does this mean in practice:

1. You should not go for surgery if you feel that you have a cold or have recently had an infectious disease, such as flu, herpes of the lips, any infections of the skin, eyes, oral mucosa, or genitourinary system;
2. You should not agree to an operation in those moments of life when something bothers you a lot: serious problems at work or in the family, divorce;
3. You should inform the doctor about all your chronic or acute diseases of the internal organs, it is better to undergo treatment and stabilize your health than to risk going for surgery right away;
4. Tell your doctor about your bad habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, taking medicines, homeopathic or hormonal preparations, cases of allergies and intolerance to any substances or preparations;
5. Do an ultrasound of the mammary glands even when nothing bothers you.

• Rule eleven: the results of the operation change over time.

Weight changes, pregnancy, sports and many other reasons will constantly affect the skin and soft tissues of the mammary glands, therefore, over time, a second operation may be necessary, aimed at a breast lift or simultaneous lifting and replacement of implants. This is a common practice for plastic surgeons and a certain part of their patients.

Every woman dreams of beautiful and feminine forms. Plastic surgeons can make these dreams come true with the help of mammoplasty. For this procedure, it is especially important to choose the right implants, which will provide not only the optimal size and beautiful shape of the breast, but will also be absolutely safe. The choice of the shape of the implant, round or anatomical, is carried out individually, depending on the physique and wishes of the patient. The Allergan company presents implants that are unique in their properties, which allow to provide the best result of breast plastic surgery. Sergey Derbak, a plastic surgeon, head of the Plastic Surgeons Club of Ukraine, head of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Citi Doctor Clinic, spoke in more detail about the types of implants and the features of their individual selection especially for the site.

Main features of round and anatomical breast implants

The plastic surgery industry is evolving daily. Modern breast implants have qualities that provide a woman with the most beautiful and natural result of breast correction.

The main advantage of modern implants is their high elasticity, which allows you to install even large implants through a standard incision - 3-4 cm.

The Allergan company provides a wide range of implants, which makes it possible to select the best option for each individual patient. Natrelle™ implants are safe, hypoallergenic and highly biocompatible with body tissues.

Round and anatomical implants:
. breast plastic surgery: advantages and disadvantages of anatomical implants;
. the main differences between round and anatomical implants;
. the uniqueness of the structure of round and anatomical Natrelle™ implants.

Breast plastic surgery: advantages and disadvantages of anatomical implants

The shape of the implants can be anatomical or round. Anatomical implants have a drop-shaped shape and repeat the natural shape of the breast as much as possible.

The advantages of these implants:
. the most natural look of the breast;
. the possibility of installing implants for women with initially flat forms;
. the volume at the bottom of the implant helps lift the areola and nipple, giving them a more aesthetic position. In this regard, anatomical implants are recommended for the correction of postpartum breast ptosis.

The disadvantages of these implants include a more complex implantation procedure, but this simply complicates the work of the surgeon, but does not affect the results of the surgical intervention.

The main differences between round and anatomical implants

Round implants are spherical in shape. Their advantages are maximum volume increase, breast lift and technically easier implantation. The disadvantages of this type of implants are the probability of visualization of the upper contour of the implant in patients with a thin layer of subcutaneous fat. The relative disadvantage of using round implants is their limited use in some types of breast asymmetry. Also, when placing a round implant, there is a higher probability of wrinkling, which depends on the density of the shell and implant filler.

The uniqueness of the structure of round and anatomical Natrelle™ implants

Natrelle™ products are represented by both round and anatomical implants. Natrelle™ implants are optimally filled with gel to minimize ripple. The texture of BIOCELL™ implants provides a minimal percentage of capsular contracture. Thanks to the INTRASHIEL™ barrier layer, the implants are characterized by high strength and minimal gel diffusion. Allergan presents round INSPIRA™ implants and two types of anatomical implants: Natrelle™ Style 410 and 510. They provide an absolutely natural and proportional breast shape, predictable results and minimal complications.

A variety of implants and their unique properties enable the doctor to choose the best option depending on the individual characteristics and wishes of the patient.

Anatomical and round Natrelle™ implants take into account all the needs of a modern woman and provide a comfortable working environment for the surgeon. As a result, a woman becomes the owner of natural forms, which contributes not only to improving her appearance, but also to increasing self-esteem and self-confidence.

Men will not let you lie - the female breast is the most attractive part of the body. Of course, many women strive to give this paired body a perfect shape (we do not take into account man-haters, feminists and persons with a non-traditional orientation). But what is the ideal shape, or, in other words, the anatomically shaped chest - what is it?

Let's just say - the perfect chest does not exist. There are millions of women and their mammary glands each have their own characteristics. However, plastic surgeons use a few parameters just to give them a starting point in their work. This is called "breast aesthetic criteria". These are the options:

• the distance between the nipples and from each nipple to the jugular notch is 21 cm (an equilateral triangle is formed);
• the distance from the nipple to the middle of the collarbone on the corresponding side is also 21 cm;
• distance from the nipple to the submammary fold - 5.9 cm;
• the outer edge of the mammary gland protrudes somewhat beyond the chest;
• the distance between the outer edges of the mammary gland is equal to the width of the hips.

Is it possible to achieve the parameters of the ideal breast

Given the desire of many women for the ideal, one should not be surprised at the efforts that they make to make their breasts perfect. Everything comes into play: exercise, avoiding breastfeeding, traditional medicine, Chinese tightening remedies, etc. Unfortunately, the only thing that somehow improves the appearance of the breast is exercise. By increasing the volume of the pectoral muscles, they raise the glands, making the chest somewhat higher. It looks like an increase in its volume, although in fact it is not.

The only really effective way to enlarge the breast and give it an ideal shape is augmentation mammoplasty. In other words, the installation of implants. And here the most interesting begins.

Breast augmentation with implants: anatomical or round

We want to say one thing right away that works everywhere in medicine: what suits one patient may not suit another. If you know a woman whose breasts have become perfect after installing an anatomical (more correctly, teardrop-shaped) implant, this does not mean that the same one will suit you. It doesn't mean he's better. It doesn't mean anything at all. Everything is individual and the selection of the implant is carried out, taking into account many factors:

• the presence of ptosis (pendulous breasts);
• nipple position;
• breast volume;
• potential capacity of the "case";
• the presence of asymmetry;
• the shape of the chest;
• the presence of tubularity (narrow base of the cone of the mammary gland);
• the presence of micromastia (exceptionally small breast sizes), etc.

The difference between round implants and anatomical

Round implants are spherical or elliptical in shape, while anatomical implants are drop-shaped. The top of the latter is narrow, the implant expands downwards. There is an opinion that anatomical implants are better than round ones, as their shape repeats the shape of the breast.

The practice of plastic surgeons shows that, with rare exceptions, drop-shaped implants do not have any advantages over round ones. Moreover, the cost of anatomical surgery is much higher, the operation technique is much more complicated, which also increases the price of the intervention.

Finally, round implants do not have such a complication as rotation - the rotation of the implant around its axis. This complication severely deforms the mammary gland and is an indication for repeated expensive surgery. Breasts with round implants look no worse, unless, of course, an experienced doctor deals with it.

Features of preoperative preparation

First you need to determine exactly what a woman needs. Readiness for the result is the main component of success. It should be remembered that sometimes you have to “pay” for beautiful breasts with the appearance of pain, impaired skin sensitivity, etc. Yes, the endoprosthesis is simply felt to the touch. Is the woman ready for this? Here's an important question.

It should be understood that there is no “perfect” implant. For example, when using a dense endoprosthesis that retains the shape of the breast when the woman is standing, her breasts will also "stand" when the woman lies down. This is unnatural, and this is a "fee" for the result. A softer implant will not hold the shape of the mammary gland so clearly in a standing position, but lying down it will look perfect.

There are other subtleties that a surgeon should talk about, and this is a criterion for assessing his professionalism and “sharpening” for the result, and not for simply making money. The decision is still made by the woman, she just needs to be given all the information for this.

Before the operation, an imitation of mammoplasty is carried out, putting special inserts into the cups of the bra for this. This is done so that the lady can determine in front of the mirror what her breasts will look like. Most often, it turns out that a woman is not so important breast augmentation as the improvement of its contour.

After determining the volume of the prosthesis, a decision is made on the location of the incision. There are also nuances here. For example, with a mild submammary fold (SMC), an incision cannot be made in it, and then they resort to axillary access (armpit), in which the scar can be noticeable for six months, and the course of the operation is more complicated. On the contrary, with severe SMS, a submammary incision is made, which provides more opportunities for reviewing the surgical field. But it also has disadvantages: a longer scar, and in case of problematic healing, the implant can slip out of the incision site.

The location of the implant can be subglandular (introduced between the mammary gland and chest muscles) and subpectoral (introduced under the pectoral muscles). The latter method is considered more correct, because it achieves a more natural shape of the breast and reduces the likelihood of contracture - the most common complication of mammoplasty.

My question is: do Allergan anatomical implants provoke breast cancer?

Neither Allergan (correctly called Natrelle), nor any other implants increase the risk of developing malignant tumors. Moreover, in women who have undergone implantation, the likelihood of developing breast cancer is about one and a half times lower. The reason: such women are much more attentive to any processes in the mammary gland and identify and treat precancerous conditions earlier.

Before the operation, most doctors photograph the woman in different projections. This is done for that. to study the situation "before" and "after", to make a prognosis of the postoperative period, and simply to "please" the patient with how her breast shape has changed.

After that, the marking of the mammary glands is carried out. This is necessary for the convenience of the surgeon, who must know how and where to insert the implant to achieve the desired result.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia using local anesthetics. No endoscopic methods are provided here, because the implant cannot be inserted through a thin tube! Before this, antibiotics are administered to prevent infectious complications. At the end of the operation, drainage tubes are inserted into the wound, through which the wound discharge flows out for 2-3 days. This is a normal process, the tubes are removed on the third day (usually).

After discharge, the patient should continue to take antibiotics for another three days, painkillers - if necessary, and if the slightest complications occur, she is advised to call the doctor at any time of the day.

Good afternoon. Tell me, which breast implants are better to put - round or anatomical? Emma, ​​34

Hello Emma. Experts believe that in the vast majority of cases, neither anatomical nor round silicone implants have any special advantages. Moreover, the researchers show that there are more problems from anatomical ones, the operation technique is more complicated, due to which their cost is also higher. Do not fall for marketing promotions, listen to the opinion of your surgeon ..

Ask a doctor a free question

A woman is a creature that is distinguished by innate kindness, tenderness and natural attractiveness. But, many of the fair sex are not always satisfied with their innate data, which, in their opinion, do not meet the criteria of beauty and are not the standard of femininity. Aesthetic medicine in this case can come to the rescue. Modern technologies that are used in plastic surgery involve the installation of implants of various contents and shapes.

There are salt and gel endoprostheses designed to increase and correct the shape of the breast. Salt prostheses are much softer; they contain saline inside the shell. The disadvantage of such an implant can be considered its possible noise, which manifests itself in the movement of fluid inside the muscle after installation. Gel prostheses consist of a special cohesive viscous filler. The shape of the implants can be anatomical and round.

Anatomical implants

Anatomical implants are teardrop-shaped prostheses that, after installation, resemble the natural shape of the breast. Mammary glands with such elements completely resemble natural forms, and are often indistinguishable from natural ones.

The benefits that a woman receives after the installation of "anatomists":

1. They do not differ from the natural breast, regardless of the position of the body (sitting, standing).
2. Ideal for ladies who naturally have a flat chest.

But, depending on certain factors, endoprostheses of this type may not be suitable. Cons of anatomical prostheses:

• They may look unaesthetic in the supine position.
• It is not possible to use underwear with a push-up effect, due to a special installation.
• Surgical intervention is characterized by increased complexity.
• They can shift under the influence of high physical exertion, cause breast asymmetry.
• They are much more expensive than analogues.

Thus, anatomical type prostheses may not be suitable for all the fair sex. If the breast is initially flat, then the installation of such implants will not cause difficulties during the surgical intervention. But, it is worth noting the fact that the appearance of the breast will not be defiantly unnatural, which is an ideal argument in favor of those who need plastic surgery after surgery.

Round implants

Round endoprosthesis implants that can be placed under the muscle or skin, and thereby correct the shape of the breast. Depending on the manufacturer, round implants can be:

1. Salt or water (not durable, during operation they can lose their original shape).
2. Silicone (inside they contain a mass of gel type).
3. Combined (contain a saline solution in one chamber and a gel in the other).
4. Biocompatible (they contain a special gel polymer inside, which is absorbed by body tissues over time).

According to the form of execution, round implants can be of several types - convex and flat. They can also differ in their design features, for example, fixed ones have a clearly defined shape and volume, while adjustable ones are suitable for situations where it is necessary to individually adjust the volume. Adjustable can be filled during the course of the operation itself.

There is an opinion that it is the round shape of the implant that is better suited for girls who want to enlarge their breasts, but have not yet given birth. This is explained by the natural shape of the breast at an early age, since initially the breast before childbirth has a more round shape and a high placement on the chest.

Advantages of round additions:

• Can form the largest possible volume.
• Visually make piles higher.
• They cost significantly less.
• The installation procedure is easier.

Cons of round implants are also observed. They look unnatural, can cause discomfort at first, due to the increased load on the pectoral muscle and its stretching.

The difference between anatomical implants and round ones

Both types of implants carry the same function - restoration and correction of the shape of the mammary glands. The round implant, compared to the anatomical one, gives a larger visual size, creates the appearance of a push-up breast, and lifts the upper contour of the décolleté zone. Ideal for owners of different forms of natural breasts.

Anatomical implants are an excellent option for those women who need breast reconstruction after an illness or trauma. The presence of implants is a good panacea for those who want to change themselves and have enough willpower and financial ability to do so.

Discussions and disputes on the choice of the form of implants in various forums are ongoing. But p Proper selection of the implant is one of the components of success both in the final perception of the new breast shape by the patient, and in minimizing possible complications and negative surgical consequences of the operation.

"Round or anatomical?" – this is exactly the choice faced by thousands of women who decide on mammoplasty, breast augmentation surgery with implants. There is an opinion that the use of anatomical implants allows the bust to look natural, both to the touch and in shape; round prostheses do not give such a result. Offhand, this statement seems true, but in reality, everything is not quite so. Let's try to figure it out.

Implants vary in:

form
projections
volume
surface texture

When choosing an implant, the surgeon takes into account many factors, such as surgical goals and techniques, anatomical features and, of course, the personal preferences of the patients. According to the surface texture, implants are smooth and textured, we will consider this issue in more detail in a separate topic.

The natural shape of the breast is certainly not round. It is really teardrop-shaped - starting with a flat slope on the upper part, the chest gradually increases in volume and protrudes forward (rises) in its lower part.

Therefore, an anatomical implant that mimics the effect of gravity on the chest looks more natural at first glance and is ideal for creating a breast shape. By the way, its original purpose is the reconstruction of an amputated (for example, in patients with breast cancer) or injured breast.

Despite the seeming logic of placing anatomical implants, most surgeons and patients prefer round implants.

Round implants, when compared with anatomical:

give more volume
raise chest higher
create a beautiful neckline (Victoria's Secret bra effect).

But not all women like a large volume in the upper chest, they consider this shape not quite natural, and prefer anatomical implants as more natural.

An anatomical implant looks more natural than a round one, right?

Yes and no.

A round implant, indeed, can sometimes give the shape of the breast unnaturalness and artificiality. For example, if placed too high on the chest, or in patients with insufficient volume of their own breast tissue, but who insisted on a large volume implant.

That is, it is in no way because of its shape. An implant of any shape can look fake. It depends only on how the implant corresponds to the individual shape of the patient's body. And in some cases, the round implant looks more "anatomical" than the anatomical one.

But all the arguments above refer to implants that are "lying on the table." And how will they behave when they are implanted in a living woman, made of flesh and bones?

Implanted in the breast round implant in general, "behaves" more naturally than teardrop. In an upright position, when a woman is standing or sitting, under the force of gravity, he independently acquires a natural, anatomical shape.

And of course, the round implant absolutely wins in a horizontal position. The natural breasts of a woman, when she lies down, naturally "blur". Anatomical same implant, the shape of which is rigidly predetermined in advance, will remain sticking up in its lower part - contrary to all the laws of gravity, giving itself away with its head; the round implant in the prone position looks quite natural. A round implant looks more natural even with active body movements - running, jumping, intense dancing, etc.

Before performing a direct breast augmentation surgery, the doctor must take into account a whole list of factors, which begins with the patient's wishes about the size and shape of the bust and ends with the doctor's aesthetic vision of the need for one or another approach. It is important to listen to the opinion of your operating doctor, because he knows how to make the right choice.

The surgeon is always an ally of the patient, and it is successful work in tandem with him that gives a consistently good result and satisfaction from the work done. Based on many years of experience, the doctor provides informed decisions about the brand of the implant, its size, access for surgery and many other components of mammoplasty.

Basic concepts

A. Width (base) of the implant.

B. Height (base) of the implant.

C. Projection of the implant.

Round implants

Round implants are characterized by the fact that the width of the base of the implant is equal to its height. In this case, the point of maximum projection is located above the center of the implant base. Thus, round implants with the same base width can differ from each other only in projection size.

For a round implant, the width and height of the base are equal. The point of maximum projection is located at the middle of the height of the base.

Round implants with the same base width can only differ in projection.

Being in the tissues of the patient (provided that the patient is in an upright position), the round implant to one degree or another acquires a certain “teardrop shape”. This degree depends, first of all, on the density or compliance of the shell and filler of the implant, the properties of the patient's tissues. If the round implant is placed under the pectoral muscle, then due to the pressure of the muscle on the upper pole of the implant, this “teardrop” will be somewhat higher than with the supramuscular location.

Round implant in horizontal and vertical positions.

Teardrop Implants

Teardrop implants are also referred to as "anatomical" implants because, according to many, this shape is the most consistent with the natural shape of the mammary glands. They are characterized mainly by the fact that the point of maximum projection of the implant is located below the middle of its height, that is, located in the lower half of the implant. In addition, in the vast majority of drop-shaped implants, the width and height of the base are not the same.

Thus, drop-shaped implants with the same base width can differ from each other not only in projection size, but also in different heights. This greatly increases the number of different combinations of width, height and projection, allowing manufacturers to create a wide and versatile range of implants of the same style.

In a drop-shaped implant, the width and height of the base are almost never equal. The point of maximum projection is below the mid-height of the base.

Teardrop-shaped implants with the same base width can differ from each other in both base height and projection.

This diversity gives the surgeon the opportunity to choose the necessary shape of the implant for almost any variant of the anatomy of the mammary gland.

Profile

One of the most important characteristics of the implant shape is the profile. The profile is the percentage of the projection of the implant to the width of its base. The larger the projection and the smaller the width of the base, the more high-profile the implant is. In other words, the profile value tells how "convex" (high profile) or "flat" (low profile) the implant is.

Each implant manufacturer has their own ideas about what a high or low profile is, just like clothing manufacturers do not agree on what XXL is. This difference in views is due to the fact that different manufacturers use different types of fillers and shells in their products, which differ in the degree of density and other characteristics.

Because of this, the ability of implants from different manufacturers to maintain a profile while in the patient's tissues (the properties of which, by the way, are also purely individual) differs and, apparently, when marking their rulers, they tend to give the alleged "final" value.

In general, you can focus on the following numbers (the article discussed McGhan implants):

• profile up to 32% - low profile implant.
• profile from 32 to 38% - medium profile implant.
• profile over 38% - high-profile implant.

Choice of implant shape

Round implants provide less fullness of the lower pole and greater fullness of the upper pole of the mammary gland in comparison with teardrop-shaped ceteris paribus. This manifests itself the stronger, the denser the shell and filler of the implant. In addition, the probability of visualizing the upper contour of a round implant in a patient with a thin layer of integumentary tissues is higher than when using a drop-shaped implant. Also, a round implant is more likely to form folds or “corrugations”. This manifests itself less, the denser the shell and filler of the implant.

Teardrop Implants provide greater fullness of the lower pole and less fullness of the upper pole of the mammary gland in comparison with round ones, all other things being equal. This is manifested the stronger, the higher the profile and the lower the height of the implant, the denser its shell and filler. This property of drop-shaped implants provides a certain “lifting” effect on the mammary gland, thereby enabling them to more successfully correct somewhat sagging breasts.

Drop-shaped implants, to a greater extent than round ones, retain their shape when changing body position. This property is manifested the stronger, the denser the shell and filler of the implant. The cost of drop-shaped implants, as a rule, is higher than round implants of the same manufacturer, all other things being equal.

"Lifting" effect of the drop-shaped implant

For patients with different types of physique and different types of chest, certain types of shape of the mammary glands are characteristic. The rounded shape of the mammary gland, in which the width approximately equals the height, is most often found in normosthenics, although there are exceptions to this rule. In patients with a hypersthenic physique, the width of the mammary gland often predominates over its height, and in asthenic girls, height often predominates. In such cases, if the patient wants to maximize breast enlargement, it is advisable to use drop-shaped implants, among which there are both "wide" and "high" models, while the width and height of round implants are equal.

LEFT Mammary gland with a predominance of width (hypersthenic physique) - a "wide" implant is required.

ON RIGHT Mammary gland with a predominance of height (asthenic physique) - a "high" implant is required.

When choosing an implant profile, it must be taken into account that the higher the profile, the stronger the visual effect of the increase, but the "naturalness" of the result is somewhat affected. The most beautiful shape of the mammary gland can be obtained using medium-profile implants.

However, there are situations where the use of a high profile is unavoidable. For example, significant excess skin with sagging mammary gland, which must be adequately "filled" in order to achieve a lifting effect. In this case, with the maximum width of the implant base, the projection of a medium- and even more so low-profile implant may not be enough to achieve the desired effect. The use of high-profile implants also has to be resorted to in patients with a narrow chest who want to enlarge their breasts to the maximum extent possible.

Thus, the ideal form of implants does not exist. Teardrop implants can be said to be somewhat more versatile in general, and most suitable for correcting sagging mammary glands. There is no alternative to round implants if it is necessary to fill the upper pole of the mammary glands strongly. In addition, round implants are preferred for axillary (through the armpit) access.

At the same time, all the features, advantages and disadvantages of round and drop-shaped implants listed above should not be overlooked. In any case, the choice should be made taking into account the wishes for the resulting breast shape, taking into account the characteristics of the original mammary glands, the chest, the properties of the patient's tissues and, of course, based on the aesthetic preferences of the surgeon and the patient.

The article by Kirill Gennadievich helped me better understand the issue of choosing the shape of the implant and determine what kind of breast shape I want to get in the end.