Breast augmentation, commonly known as a boob job, is one of the most common types of plastic surgery that people undergo. People undergo breast augmentation for various reasons.
Most people seek this procedure to change the shape and size of the breasts, either because they are asymmetrical or are naturally smaller or bigger compared to the rest of the body.
Other people may undergo breast augmentation because of unevenness caused by breast cancer treatment, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
One of the main ways to undergo breast augmentation surgery is through getting implants. You can choose between silicon-based or saline-based implants. You can also choose the shape of the breast implant that you want.
Some of the things that should determine your decision on the shape of breast implant you choose include;
- Nipple position.
- Body anatomy and the shape and size of your chest.
- The amount of your natural breast tissue.
- Natural body type, whether petite, muscular, slim, or broad.
- Distance between your breasts.
- The shape or position of your breast tissue.
- The level of your ptosis or breast sagging.
- The look you want to achieve after the surgery.
- The distance between your nipple and breast fold.
The most common shapes of breast implants are round and tear-drop. Round-shaped breast implants have been in the market longer. They have a silicone sac that is filled with either silicone gel or saline.
Tear-drop implants, also called anatomical implants, on the other hand, are recent in the market. They fill out more as they slope from the breastbone to the nipple. They are mostly made using a silicone shell and a silicone-gel filler and have the nickname gummy bears.
Characteristics Of Teardrop Implants
Because of their naturally sloping shape, which becomes fuller at the bottom, teardrop breast implants look more natural than round breast implants. They are also naturally soft when you touch them, which makes them more natural-looking.
Teardrop breast implants are also filled with thicker silicone gel, which makes them more stable and easy to retain their shape. Because the gel inside them is thicker, teardrop implants retain their shape even when they rupture or break.
Perfect Candidates For Teardrop Implants
Just like any other surgical procedure, you must have the perfect characteristics for you to qualify to get a teardrop implant. To be a good candidate, you need to have;
- A small or petite body type with minimum breast tissue.
- Wide-set breasts.
- Low sitting nipple.
- Minimal breast sagging tissue.
- Small distance between the areola and the breast fold or crease.
Advantages Of Having Teardrop Breast Implants
- They look and feel natural.
- They retain their shape.
- They can centralize and lift the nipple position.
- Better cleavage and appearance because of their wider diameter.
- You have lower rates of getting capsular contracture. That happens when the tissues around the breast implant thicken or tighten abnormally, causing pain and asymmetry.
Disadvantages Of Teardrop Breast Implants
- They may rotate
Teardrop implants may rotate inside the breast tissue after some time. Since they do not have the same shape on the top and bottom, that may cause a weird and unattractive appearance on your breast. When that happens, you might need to have another surgery to correct it.
To prevent the implants from rotating, manufacturers texture the shell of the implants. That allows the breast tissue to grow onto it, preventing rotation.
- They acquire an unnatural shape when you lie down
Round breast implants normally change their shape with gravity which makes them acquire a natural shape when you lie down. Teardrop implants, on the other hand, have a thick silicone gel, which is hard to move. Therefore, when you lie down, they get an unnatural unattractive look.
- Leaks might go unnoticed
Since the silicone gel in the teardrop breast implants is thicker and semi-solid, it might retain its shape even when it leaks, making it hard for you to detect it. The best way to detect it is by using MRI scans, and sometimes the raptured implant could cause complications.
- More expensive
This is one of the main disadvantages of teardrop breast implants. The implants and the process to put them in place are more expensive than those involved in round breast implants. That is because the procedure is more complicated than that of a round breast implant.
- Noticeable scarring
To place teardrop implants, the surgeon may need to make larger incisions, which leads to more noticeable scarring after recovery.
- Prone to rippling and wrinkling
Because of the textured and rough surfaces of the teardrop implants, you may experience wrinkling and rippling. That mostly happens on the lower side of the breast, often with women who have large implants or minimal soft tissues.
Teardrop Breast Implant Costs
Normally, insurance does not cover breast augmentation in Houston TX. The average cost of getting a breast augmentation is around $3,747.
However, getting teardrop breast implants is more expensive and ranges between $6,000 and $12,000. The price may differ depending on the technique your surgeon uses, the surgeon, and the clinic you visit.
Besides that, you have to pay for the anesthesia fee, the surgery fee, and the recovery items you need.
What To Look For In A Surgeon
The procedure to get a teardrop shape outcome after a breast augmentation surgery is more complicated than that of getting a round shape breast. Therefore, you need to get the best surgeon for the job.
Some of the things you need to consider before choosing a surgeon include;
- Skills and knowledge level
Consider where the surgeon got their education from and ascertain it is a reputable institution. You should also ask for the academic papers and ensure they have an official stamp.
Determine if your surgeon has undergone, completed, and passed all the necessary training programs, and they continue to add on their knowledge on the field.
- Certification
Is your surgeon certified and licensed to practice in the field and run a clinic? Ask for their business licenses and insurance. Also, determine if they are part of any plastic surgery society or organization.
- Experience
Determine how long the surgeon has been in the field and how many procedures similar to yours they have successfully done.
- References and reviews
Ask the surgeon for some clients they have previously worked with for reference. If they hesitate or deny you the contacts, that is a sign that they may not be legit. You should also look for any of their official online platforms and read customer reviews.
