What's the difference between round implants and shaped implants?

How the shape of your implant can make a difference.

When it comes to breast implants, there is a lot of “this versus that” decision making. It can feel overwhelming! As stressful as it might feel, take comfort in the fact that all of these decisions allow you to get a customized implant that best suits your needs.

It’s also important to understand that you need to think of all of these decisions together, since one informs the other. For example: a tear-drop shaped implant is always textured, or smooth shell implants are always round. Let’s examine the round implant versus shaped implant question a little more closely.

Round: The Perennial Favorite
The majority of women opt for round implants, because they consistently offer a natural look and feel. Round implants are perfectly round, meaning they are the same from any orientation. The big advantage of round implants is that orientation doesn’t matter. Even if they rotate in the body, there are no adverse consequences, and the breast still looks the same. Smooth shell implants (which can be either silicone or saline) are always round.

What some surgeons don’t like about round implants is that they offer less control over how full the upper part of the breast looks (called superior pole fullness). For some women (especially women with longer chests), this makes the implants look less natural. However, round implants also form a teardrop profile in the upright position when the right size is chosen.

Changing the Shape
Tear-drop implants (also called shaped or contoured implants) were created to more closely resemble the natural shape of the breast. Because they’re shaped, in some cases they offer more control over superior pole fullness. There are two major concerns with shaped implants. First, they can only be oriented one way, and it has to be precise. If they rotate at all, the top part might wind up pointing in another direction, which would affect how the implant looks.

The second major consideration is that shaped implants must be textured. The texture is what helps the implant adhere to the breast tissue. For some women, a textured implant works perfectly well. But others (particularly those without much breast tissue, or those with thin skin) may actually feel the coarse texture of the implant shell. Also, a textured shell means the implant will feel firmer than an implant in a smooth shell.

The vast majority of women opt for round implants. But there are surgeons who specialize in shaped implants, and have exceptional skill with them. Some surgeons especially prefer shaped implants for reconstructive surgery. If you’re considering getting shaped implants, find a surgeon who specializes in this and has an excellent track record. Also, talk to women who have shaped implants, and see what feedback they offer.

Frequently Asked Questions Reviewed by Dr. Richard Baxter in Seattle, WA. To learn more about Dr. Baxter, please go to www.aboutplasticsurgery.com/doctor-profile/richard-a-baxter-md-facs-227.