CosBeauty Magazine #77

Feature
breast
implant
essentials
1.
Implant shape
Choosing the right implant is dependent on
your existing breast size, shape, symmetry
and projection, body type, and your personal
preferences.
There is no one breast implant shape that
is best for everyone. Your surgeon is the best
resource for determining what breast implant is
best for you and your body type.
Round implants
Round implants are circular with an even
projection of volume. They are a good choice
for those who want more fullness in the upper
part of the breast and tend to give greater
cleavage. Many surgeons agree that round
implants are typically the best choice for those
patients with well-shaped natural breasts who
desire a straightforward breast enhancement.
Teardrop implants
Teardrop, or anatomical, implants more
closely resemble the natural shape of a breast,
gradually sloping downwards to produce an
attractive straight line from the collarbone to
the nipple. Teardrop implants tend not to be
as full as round implants but because they are
fuller in the lower half they can also provide
greater projection in proportion to the size of
the base, making them particularly suitable
for women with little natural breast tissue.
Mild elevation of the breast and the nipple
can also be achieved, making them particularly
suitable for women who have mild droopy or
tuberous breasts.
2.
Implant size
Breast implant sizes are designated by their
volume, typically ranging from 90 to 900 cubic
centimetres (cc), or by their weight. One gram
of silicone is equivalent to slightly less than
1ml (1cc). The higher the number, the larger
the implant.
They are also made with different diameter
bases to suit different widths of chest wall and
with low to high profiles (amount of forward
projection). For this reason, each manufacturer
produces a number of ‘styles’.
It’s important to take your natural breast
width into consideration. Your surgeon will
measure the base diameter of your chest to
determine the ideal width of implant. If the
implant is too wide for your chest, you may get
‘webbing’ between your breasts (symmastia)
or too much ‘side boob’. If the implant is too
narrow, it will not fill the chest appropriately
and be difficult to create a shapely cleavage.
The choice of implant projection is to a large
extent a personal one. A woman with adequate
breast tissue and a shape she is happy with may
opt for a low-profile implant that will simply
increase the size of her breasts. Another patient
seeking to create cleavage, or a patient with
some degree of sag, may prefer a high-profile
implant that can help achieve these results.
Your surgeon will take into consideration the
width of your chest and breast tissue and advise
you on the most suitable implant size and style
for your individual anatomy.
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