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Round
vs. Anatomical Shaped Breast Implants
Two
basic shapes of breast implants are currently available -
round implants and anatomically shaped implants. Round
implants are round as the name implies. Anatomically shaped
implants are teardrop shaped, similar to the anatomy of the
normal breast. When a round and anatomically shaped breast
implant are placed side by side and a patient is asked to
choose which implant looks more like a breast, virtually almost
every patient surveyed indicated that the anatomically shaped
implant was shaped more like a breast.
Why
would some surgeons continue to use round implants? Anatomically
shaped implants are difficult for a surgeon to place properly.
Anatomic implants require a very precisely dissected pocket
during surgery, a pocket that "fits" the implant
very precisely for best results. Round implants, in contrast,
do not require a precisely dissected pocket. In fact, the
pocket is almost uniformly dissected larger than the implant.
When a pocket is larger than the implant, the implant can
more easily shift out of position, and the shape of the breast
following surgery is more difficult to predict or to control.
Anatomically
shaped implants must be very carefully positioned, while
round implants do not require precise positioning in the
pocket behind the breast. Round implants appear more round
and globular than an anatomically shaped implant, which
mimics the shape of the normal breast more accurately.
Since
anatomically shaped implants are more difficult for a surgeon
to use, demand more precise techniques during surgery, and
require proper training and precise techniques for optimal
results, surgeons who have not been trained to use anatomic
implants and/or who have performed a minimum number of procedures
using anatomically shaped implants may still prefer round
implants. It is very unusual to encounter a surgeon who
has had extensive experience using anatomically implants
who does not routinely prefer the anatomically shaped implant
over a round implant in most cases.
Dr.
Ronald Pino has a wide experience and training with the
anatomically shaped implants. He recommends them on most
of the cases. But in some cases he may consider the round
implants a better alternative.
"With both implants, round and anatomically shaped,
the breast can be nicely augmented. The decision depends
on the shape desire."
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