Many times I get asked questions along the lines of “What kind of ‘look’ do you aim for, doc?” when it comes to the breast shape after breast implants. Well, it is not about what I want, it is about what the patient wants.  Different people like different things and are looking for different looks.

Below are two ladies who are both thrilled, are both at a similar stage after surgery, both with high-profile implants, and who yet have different looks.

The first patient is more what I consider the mom/breast-fed/deflated-breast type of patient.  These women typically want to restore what they had pre-pregnancy (or maybe just a tad more!).  But typically they want to look fairly natural.  Notice how the implant restores volume to the breast, adding projection, and providing a “pseudo-lift” (see how much more skin can be seen below the lower border of the areola–sometimes these women come in thinking they want a breast lift).  The contour of the upper pole of the breast is fairly straight.

The second is more what I consider the slightly younger/no-kids/wants-to-be-pretty-busty type of patient.  The breast is not really deflated, and the whole skin envelope is tighter.  Typically these women don’t mind looking a little “fake” and want to increase a number of cup sizes.  Notice how the lower pole does not change too much and most of the volume goes into the upper pole.  (In fairness, this will settle some over time).  The upper pole has a rounded contour.

Now, usually the first type of woman does not want to look like the second, and the second type hates to go through with it and not get the look they want if they look like the first!

So when people ask me “How I do it”, I answer that it is up to the patient!  As long as it is within the realm of reason, I try not to impose my biases into the equation.  The main goal is to provide a person with what she wants.

For more about breast shape and breast implants, see my previous blog post.