Are you considering breast augmentation but unsure which implants to choose? In this guide, you'll discover the differences between round, anatomical, smooth, and textured implants, to help you make an informed and personalized choice.
Now, with the advent of the internet, we are bombarded daily with more or less accurate information, and this multitude of information only serves to confuse us even more.
It's important to clarify this topic and extract the most important information needed to make an informed choice.
In summary: which prosthesis to choose in breast augmentation?
- Round prostheses: full effect, no risk of rotation
- Anatomical prostheses: natural shape, possible risk of rotation
- Smooth surface: softer
- Textured surface: greater stability
- Volume: from 150 to 800 cc, always customized
- Visit with prosthesis fitting: highly recommended
The main indications for breast augmentation they are certainly the overall improvement of the breast, in terms of shape and volume.
Let's try to clarify things a bit.
Breast implants are implantable medical devices made of silicone gel, a material compatible with our tissues and completely sterile.
There are many manufacturing companies on the market, but regardless of the brand, they all differ in some aspects:
- crafts
- external surface
- volume
In case of breast augmentation, which prosthesis should you choose? This is definitely one of the doubts more frequent. Let's try to understand more together.
summary box
| Round prostheses: full effect, no risk of rotation |
| Anatomical prostheses: natural shape, risk of rotation |
| Smooth: softer | Textured: less risk of contracture |
| Capacity: from 150 to 800 cc, customized according to the body |
| Visit with recommended prosthetic fitting |
I invite you to take a look at my recent article on Motiva breast implants.
Types of breast implants: round or anatomical?
As for the shape, we have two types of systems available for a breast augmentation.
Round prostheses and anatomical prostheses (with the classic teardrop appearance)
Round breast implants are by far the most commonly used. They have a regular and consistent shape in all projections.
Pros and cons of round dentures:
- I PRO they materialize in no risk linked to possible rotation, greater ease of use, full décolleté effect.
- I AGAINST are that, on a particularly small breast and if too bulky, they can lead to a fake appearance.
If the starting breast is very small they may therefore have an unnatural appearance.
Anatomical breast implants have a characteristic teardrop shape, with greater projection at the lower end. This means that the implant provides the greatest projection and therefore volume in its lowest part, which will be positioned below the areola.
When to prefer anatomical ones:
- I PRO are that give the breast an extremely natural appearance.
- I AGAINST are that they may be subject to a certain risk of rotation and therefore alteration of the breast profile.
Surface of the dentures: smooth or textured?
As for the surface, or outer covering, it can be one of two types: smooth or textured. The choice of surface can influence the outcome of the breast augmentation.
The surface can therefore be uniform or have micro-incisions. The texturing process takes place in a laboratory and in a sterile environment.
- Smooth prostheses tend to have a softer consistency, unlike textured ones which, having a more rigid external casing, have the great advantage of maintaining their shape and have a lower risk of rippling, or the appearance of radial folds that can sometimes be visible on the outside, especially in very thin patients.
- Generally, textured implants, thanks to their rough external surface, tend to adhere better to the breast tissue, reducing the risk of implant misplacement.
How to choose the ideal volume of the prosthesis
Choosing the right prosthesis is a crucial step in the process leading to surgery.
This is, in fact, a crucial moment that cannot be achieved without a good understanding of the situation with your surgeon.
This is certainly the aspect that most interests patients and which very often gives rise to doubts.
Which volume should I choose? How much will my breasts increase? Will they really lose volume after a year?
Don't worry if you've been asking yourself the same questions at some point. It's normal for doubts to arise, and it's important that you find a time to discuss these issues with your surgeon.
The volume of the breast implants is directly related to the final volume of your new breasts.
Major companies produce prostheses ranging from 150 cc to approximately 800 cc.
Generally speaking, and to simplify things, we can say that a 150-180cc implant will increase your breast size by one cup, while a 250-300cc implant will increase your breast size by at least two cup sizes. Obviously, the final volume will be the sum of the implant volume and the starting volume. It's important to remember that a 300cc implant will provide greater volume to a patient starting with a larger breast than to one starting with an A cup.
glossary
| Breast cup | indicates the fit of the bra |
| Rippling | visible folds on the skin of the breast |
| Projection | volume of the prosthesis from the lateral view |
| Breast Lift | breast lift with skin removal |
Practical examples: which prosthesis is right for each patient?
The patient must reflect on two aspects: the shape they would like to have and the final volume.
NB: Before going any further, I'd like to remind you that breast size isn't indicated by size A, B, C, etc., but rather by cup size. Therefore, the two fundamental measurements are those indicating chest circumference (size A: 70 cm, size B: 75 cm, size C: 80 cm, size C: 85 cm, etc.) and those defining breast volume (cup A, B, C, etc.).
Here's an example:
HYPOTHETICAL PATIENT: the patient starts with a first B cup: let's imagine a slim girl, with a narrow chest and small breast volume.
- HYPOTHESIS A: You want to achieve a natural result, with medium volume and in harmony with your body: you could opt for an anatomical prosthesis, with medium projection and with a volume between 250 and 330 grams.
- HYPOTHESIS B: She wants a nice décolleté, a visible effect: she could be offered a round prosthesis, with a moderate plus projection and a volume between 300 and 400 grams.
These are just two examples, but they can help clarify things.
How the pre-operative visit is conducted
For example, I invite the patient to come to the appointment wearing a bra without push-up, like a swimsuit, and during the appointment I try on various prostheses with them, with different shapes and volumes, so as to have a live test of all the possibilities.
All my patients have a preliminary consultation with the anesthesiologist before surgery. I've noticed that this combined surgeon-anesthesiologist approach allows patients to get closer to theintervention with greater serenity and clarity about what will happen.
In conclusion, returning to the initial question:
In a Breast augmentationWhich breast implants should I choose?
I would say without a shadow of a doubt that the choice of prosthesis in breast augmentation can be a concern and that the perfect prosthesis does not exist, but the perfect prosthesis for that patient does exist.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about choosing breast implants:
Anatomical implants offer a more natural result, while round implants create a fuller décolleté.
It is measured in cc (cubic centimeters), from approximately 120 to over 700 cc. The final volume also depends on the starting breast, so the volume of the prosthesis is added to that of the breast.
No, the volume of the prosthesis remains stable. The initial swelling may give a different impression in the first few months.
Smooth ones are softer, textured ones adhere better to the tissues and reduce the risk of rotation and contracture. I invite you to take a look at my recent article on breast implants Motiva.
There are no permanent breast implants. On average, they are replaced after 10-15 years.
With the retromuscular technique, pain is certainly felt in the first few days, but it improves with common analgesics.
Dr. Pierluigi Gigliofiorito: Experience and training in breast surgery
Dr. Pierluigi Gigliofiorito Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. I specialize in aesthetic medicine and surgery, focusing on results and the comfort of my patients. I employ expert staff who will guide you throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to follow-up appointments. My team focuses not only on the surgery itself, but also on the entire journey of rebirth. We have psychologists, mentalists, surgeons, and beauty assistants always available and at your side, for a holistic and integrated approach to the procedure.
Natural but visible results.
Book now a Personalized consultation for your breast augmentation surgery with Dr. Pierluigi Gigliofiorito.
📞 WhatsApp: 345/2138775 | 📩 Email: info@gigliofiorito.com
The information on this site is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's opinion during a visit. Each treatment is individually assessed based on each individual case. Results may vary from patient to patient. No content is intended to be promotional or to encourage the performance of medical procedures.