*Disclaimer – There is no guarantee of specific results and results can vary from patient to patient. Our team of consultant plastic surgeons will ensure you are in safe hands and discuss your results at your consultation.

Tips for choosing implant shape for a natural look

Many patients have a clear idea of what they want – they’ve usually been imagining it for years. The main request from patients is for a more proportional shape. They want that ideal hourglass figure of curvy breasts, a small waist and curvy hips, but they don’t want to look as if they’re breasts have been ‘done’.

Asking for a breast augmentation that looks natural will be no problem for our surgeons. However, as we’ll explain further below, there is not a ‘set’ size and shape of implant for such a look.

Choosing what’s natural for your body

A breast implant that looks natural on you will depend wholly on your body. There are so many variables to consider, including your body’s proportions, your rib cage size, skin excess, and current breast width and volume.

Choosing implants for a natural look

Implants are not one-size-fits-all. They vary in texture, shape, size and profile – the choice can almost be dazzling. Don’t worry, you won’t have to make this decision on your own. Our surgeons have the experience and expertise to advise you on the right implant for your desired look, based on your body’s shape.

Teardrop v Round implant

Many patients have heard that an anatomical or ‘teardrop’ shaped implant gives a more natural look than a round implant. That’s not necessarily true, and we’ll explain why.

We use both Nagor and Mentor implants because we believe patients should have a choice.

The Nagor range offers the patient two different types of high-quality implants – the ‘GFX’ range or their premium ‘Impleo’ range. The implant our patients most commonly go for in this range is a round one called Impleo with a textured surface filled with high cohesive silicone. They have extensive customer care policies attached and come with Lifetime Warranty.

At The Avoca Clinic, we also use Mentor Breast Implants. Mentor, a Johnson & Johnson brand, has been producing the highest quality of implants for more than 20 years. They are approved by the FDA (US Food and Drugs Administration), come with a lifetime warranty and exceed CE and MHRA testing standards following more than 20 years of clinical data.

In both ranges of implants, the Round Shape is the most popular. This is in line with the rest of the country: 85% of Irish women go for round, while 15% go for anatomical. Globally, the figures are very similar – the overwhelming majority of women choose round implants. So why is the teardrop shape not more popular?

Teardrop v Round implant: what looks natural?

Anatomical implants mimic the natural slope of a breast, gently sloping from the chest in a teardrop shape with more volume in the lower half of the breast. You can understand, then, why they were originally intended for use in breast reconstruction, and continue to be ideal for breast replacement. Petite women with small breasts sometimes choose anatomical because there is less volume and less visible fullness in the upper part of the breasts.

So does that mean round implants look unnatural? Not at all!

Choosing a round implant does not mean a round, tennis ball-like look stuck on the chest.

Some surgeons feel round implants look more natural because they are affected by gravity. When a surgeon holds up a round implant, you’ll see that the volume increases at the bottom as the silicone sinks to the bottom. So when a woman with a round implant is standing, the shape of the implant naturally falls into a teardrop shape like a natural, full breast.

How to visualise the difference for your body

If you’re still not sure which shape would suit you, don’t worry. We have just the solution.

The Breast Suite in The Avoca Clinic has a visualisation system so you can see what the different sizes and shapes will feel and look like on your body. We encourage you to bring your own clothes to try on, so you can really see how your new shape and size would look relative to your body.

In the end, there is no natural or un-natural look – just what feels right to you and your body.

If you have any questions about breast augmentations, our patient advisors are always happy to answer any questions so give them a call on 01 201 4563 or use our online contact form.

You may also be interested in our FAQ on breast augmentation.