Dear Dr. Winder:
Q. I've seen a lot of advertising lately about a new kind of breast implant that is shaped like a tear-drop. I've thought about having this surgery for a long time and wonder how these implants are different from others.

A. You are correct in that there has been a lot of advertising lately regarding breast augmentation and breast implants by implant manufacturers. And you are correct that they are shaped like a tear-drop; they are actually referred to as an "anatomically-shaped" implant. My experience over the past 20 years using both round-shaped and anatomically-shaped implants suggests that good aesthetic results are achievable with either type; but, like most alternatives in surgery, each has their own advantages.

With a round breast implant, the patient usually has more fullness of the upper portion of the breast because of its shape. With an anatomic breast implant, the greatest volume is in the lower portion of the breast. For patients who have very small breasts pre-operatively, or who are very thin in the upper portion of the chest, a round breast implant may cause them to look too "bulbous" in the upper portion of the breast. Also for patients who are thin and have little breast tissue, an anatomic implant may reduce "rippling" or "waviness" that can result from round breast implants (although this is usually not visible, unless the breast is manipulated). Anatomic implants are also used extensively in breast reconstruction patients.

Breast augmentation can make a wonderful difference to a small-breasted woman, a woman whose breasts have greatly diminished in size because of pregnancy, or to a woman who has a discrepancy in the size of her breasts; nearly all women who have this surgery say that they'd do it again. Because we do more breast augmentation than any other surgery; we are able to keep our costs low and offer our patients some of the most reasonable fees you'll find anywhere. If you'll call my office at 970-259-3818 and schedule a consultation, I can determine which type of implant would be most appropriate for you. You may also contact me via email at: winder@durangoplasticsurg.com

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