Anatomical implants are meant to mimic the slope of a natural breast. However, a round implant when not lying down, takes on basically the same shape.

What's natural looking? Round implants, placed under the muscle may have a more natural appearance than shaped/contour implants which can appear somewhat elongated in appearance in some women.

Shaped implants tend to remain stationary, so they stay in the same place. When a woman lies down, round implants on the other hand, settle back evenly, like normal breasts. When a woman stands up, the saline goes to the bottom of the implants because of gravity, and the implants assume a natural teardrop shape anyway.

Shaped, Anatomical, Tear-Drop. These are all terms used to describe an implant that is manufactured to be pre-shaped like the one pictured at right. Unlike a round implant, a "shaped" implant by design has a top and a bottom (it is tear drop shaped).

These have a textured surface to avoid the implant flipping, leaving the implant upside down and misshapen in appearance. Unlike round implants, a tear-drop implant will maintain the same shape lying down, which can appear unnatural in some women.

You've picked out a round or anatomical implant. What surface should the implant have? You can choose a smooth surface breast implant or a textured surface breast implant.

Textured Implants: Why do some implants have textured surfaces? All types of solutions have been attempted for decades to prevent scar tissue from becoming unacceptably hard around the breast implant. When the body creates scar tissue to form around the breast implant, the condition is known as capsular contracture it can becomes painful or unacceptably firm. Textured surface implants are an attempt to solve this problem.

Scar tissue typically forms around a foreign object in a uniform manner, which allows the scar tissue to tighten and cause contracture. By adding a textured surface, manufacturers hope to prevent scar tissue fibers from laying down uniformly. According to a number of studies, a textured surface is not likely to reduce the risk of capsular contracture but other studies do find a reduction in contracture.

Anatomical implants basically require a textured surface in order serve a secondary purpose of keeping the implant from rotating or moving position. So, if you chose "anatomical" when choosing your shape of implants, you picked a textured implant by default.

Smooth Breast Implants: are ideal for patients who prefer an auxiliary or arm pit incision. Smooth implants are less favorable for very athletic patients who are having a sub muscular augmentation.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - Breast Implant Shape And Texture Options

About the Author

Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery in Hawaii. Learn more about breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery procedures.