Does New Mean Better? How Shaped Implants Compare to the Original Round

New shaped implants have recently been approved by the FDA for use in the US! With all the buzz about how shaped implants appear more “natural” in comparison to round implants, patients want to know: Which implant is better? Board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Robert Grant from New York City and Dr. Caroline Glicksman of New Jersey discuss how the implants match up against each other.

By: Robert T. Grant, MD and Caroline Glicksman, MD
and Adam McMillon
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

As far as breast implants go, round implants filled with saline solution have been the go-to device for 50 years. “Round implants have a proven track record in the United States of getting patients the kind of results that have made this the most popular operation done,” says Dr. Grant.

Round implants excel at evening out differences in breast size and adding volume to a patient who already has a great shape to their breasts. The depth of success and scientific study on round implants makes any newcomer to the scene have a lot to live up to.

Does a New Shape Mean an Improved Look?

When comparing the look of a round vs. a shaped implant, the obvious difference is shaped implants actually look like a natural breast. While round implants are just that, round, shaped implants have a teardrop look, modeled after the ideal shape of a breast. Many potential breast augmentation patients are looking for an option to give their breast the correct shape, not necessarily make them bigger. “For certain patients who want a more proportionate look to their breast, or not an augmented look, shaped implants may be the best choice for them,” says Dr. Glicksman.

With shaped implants, the upper slope, or pole, of the breast will not be as full in comparison to the round implants. Due to the fact that natural breasts also lack a strong fullness in the upper pole, shaped implants have the potential to produce a more natural looking result, something many patients are hoping for.

The Look that You Prefer, and the Implant That Best Fits Your Body

“Patients have to be given all the information in their doctor’s office, so they know what choices they have,” says Dr. Glicksman. “Round implants can still do great things, things that a shaped implant cannot. On the same token, we now have a new tool to correct issues and create a different look that certain patients may need/be looking for.”

Dutifully seeking out a board certified surgeon to consult with is the ultimate best choice when it comes to a breast augmentation procedure. An expert will sit down and talk out your goals while measuring your anatomy to give their professional opinion as to which implant is going to best make those goals a reality. “Nowadays with the internet, movies and TV, most people don’t know what normal breasts look like anymore,” says Grant. “Our job as surgeons is to start with you, the patient. We hash out your goals, take a look at your body and decide which of these implants will be best suited for your unique desires and anatomy. Neither one, shaped nor round, is necessarily better, but it is important to figure out with a board certified surgeon which one of those implants is best for you.”