With Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Dr Nicholas Moncrieff from Hunter Plastic Surgery
If you’re considering breast augmentation, you probably have a lot of questions, including, which implant shape is best for you?
Dr Nicholas Moncrieff, Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon from Hunter Plastic Surgery is one of only a handful of Plastic Surgeons across Australia with a sole breast and body focus. In other words, he is highly skilled and specialised in this field.
According to Dr Moncrieff, there is a big difference between round and anatomical implants. “There are also good reasons why in 98% of cases, I use anatomical implants for my patients.”
Round versus Anatomical Implants
“Round implants are simply as the name describes, round in shape and smooth in texture on the outside,” explains Dr Moncrieff. “Round implants are commonly requested by women pursuing more of fuller upper pole look and they have often been told that round implants are the best way to achieve that goal. The gel inside round implants is generally softer than anatomical implants, reducing their ability to shape the breast as much as the alternative.”
“Anatomical implants are shaped like a tear drop and generally micro-textured. They have firmer gel inside, which can shape the breast tissue to a greater extent. Their combination of shape and feel mean they are ideal to not just ‘fill’ the breast, but also address shape issues (such as tuberous breasts) and laxity due to weight loss or babies.”
So why does Dr Moncrieff choose anatomical implants?
Of the 350 implants Dr Moncrieff uses each year, 98% are anatomical. “This is because they offer plenty of opportunity to create upper pole fullness and cleavage (in the hands of a skilled and experienced Plastic Surgeon) but also the shaping and ‘lifting’ benefits unique to anatomical implants.”
“This is so great for young women wanting extra volume, but also mums and weight loss patients! From my experience the results of anatomical implants also last longer because they ‘grip’ better due to the micro-texturing on the outside, reducing risks of them ‘bottoming out’ (ie: effectively slipping down the chest wall). I do still offer round implants for patients who understand the pros and cons of both options.”
Pros and Cons – Round Implants
Pros
- Due to the shape of round implants it doesn’t matter if the implant rotates,
- They are cheaper compared to anatomical implants,
- Round smooth implants have a lower chance of ALCL
Cons
- Round implants have a higher risk of capsular contracture and ‘bottoming out’ compared to anatomical implants
- Don’t address laxity of breasts as well
- Generally aren’t firm enough to substantially reshape breasts in cases such as tuberous breasts.
Pros and Cons – Anatomical implants
Pros
- Better ‘lifting’ and reshaping capabilities
- Versatile – can be made to look more “fake” or more “natural” depending on your goals and body type
- Lower rates of capsular contracture (hardening of the capsule your body forms around an implant)
Cons
- More expensive than round implants, usually $1,000 on top of a breast augmentation procedure.
- Can rotate when not inserted by a specialist
- Risk of ALCL higher due to the micro-textured
Can I get enough cleavage with anatomical implants?
Yes! According to Dr Nicholas Moncrieff, assuming the surgeon knows the right technique for creating shape and tightness in the breast pocket, upper pole fullness can be achieved with anatomical implants. “For instance, I can achieve cleavage by manipulating the breast pocket using the ‘dual plane’ technique and ensuring the implant is placed securely while still creating cleavage.”
“Dual plane placement works well to achieve a natural looking appearance because the implant has coverage provided by the pec muscle at the top to hide the implant underneath existing breast tissue. This limits the obvious line of the implant, especially in very slim patients.”
Why do some surgeons only use round implants?
According to Dr Moncrieff, this is partly because it is much more complex surgery to use anatomical implants, as the pocket created in the breast has to be perfect to prevent rotation. “That takes time and when some practitioners are offering $6,000 breast augmentations, they don’t have that time to invest in the result!
“We saw a wave of round implants being used a few years ago by the ‘cosmetic surgery production line’ style clinics and they would inflate the risks of anatomical implants in terms of rotation when the reality was they simply lacked the skill or time to properly use anatomical implants.”
What implants does Hunter Plastic Surgery use?
The implants used at Hunter Plastic Surgery are Mentor by Johnson & Johnson. They are the world’s leading implant manufacturer and are backed by a 10-year guarantee with the most demonstrated safety record worldwide.
Risks
All surgery has risks, and for breast augmentation surgery there are general surgical risks as well as implant related risks. Some of these are outlined in the website listed below. Hunter Plastic Surgery is dedicated to patient surgery and transparency.
Want to discover more?
A great way to ‘Try before you buy’ is to come in and have a $50 Vectra 3D photo simulation with Hunter Plastic Surgery’s Practice Manager, Jessica.
Many patients love this service because it gives them a much better idea of sizing and placement than simply putting sizing implants in a bra can. The $50 cost is rebated against your consultation if you decide to continue exploring if the surgery with Dr Moncrieff at Hunter Plastic Surgery is right for you.
How much does a breast augmentation cost?
Breast augmentations with Dr Moncrieff start from $10,600.
Find out more about cost by visiting the website at: https://hunterplasticsurgery.com.au/news/round-vs-anatomical-implants