Shaped Implants are In! Does that Mean Round is Out?

For women considering breast implants, the choice isn’t as simple as it once was.  With more options for breast reconstruction, including various types of implants, it’s hard to know which is best for you.

Dr. Clifford P. Clark of Orlando, Florida explains, “shaped implants offer options that were never previously available. People have a very unique chest dimension both in height, width, and the breast characteristics themselves.  What were trying to do is match the right implant with the right patient.”

By Clifford P. Clark, MD
and Susan Kamyab
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

Enhancing the Fullness and Projection of your Breasts

“Once we get the measurements, we can think about the projection of the breast off the chest,” says Dr. Clark.  “Both round and shaped implants can have a modest projection, a moderate projection, or very projecting look that they can achieve,” says Clark.

• Modest Projection– These are the implants with the smallest forward projection. They actually have less projection than implants usually have, and are often a good fit for wider framed patients.
• Moderate Projection– These implants are what used to be the standard size before different projection types were introduced. They create what’s usually considered to be a normal profile, with a round fullness that still includes plenty of volume to the breast. Women with a narrow chest may prefer this projection, as it can produce the appearance of a wider chest.
• High Projection– These implants have the most amount of projection to them when compared to the diameter of their base. This can give women with a smaller chest diameter the depth they want without side effects like rippling and unnatural looking width.

Different Shapes provide Different Looks

Round Implants tend to give more of a natural looking shape.  When placed under the muscle they may even have a more natural appearance than shaped/contoured implants.   Shaped breast implants tend to remain inactive, so they stay in the same place. When a woman lies down, round implants on the other hand, settle back evenly, like normal breasts.

Since contoured implants are made in a variety of shapes, a greater degree of control can be added in fitting the implant shape and dimensions to a woman’s frame and desired breast shape.  This control is particularly useful in patients that wish to emphasize filling a certain area of the breast, such as the upper pole.  In such a case, a shaped implant that is “taller” more than wide could be used.