The Various Shapes of the Breast

If we had this breast shape and size, a lot of us wouldn't be having breast implants put in, would we? Ah, in a perfect world...

The "swooping" breast like this one is actually pretty common. Some breast may take this shape because of lack of volume, but there is no sag. It is actually among the better of the shapes to have if you're going to get implants. The nipples point upward, which is major asset in breast augmentation surgery.

The ptotic (saggy) breast with some volume is also very common. The word ptosis means drooping. Usually you lose breast volume after a pregnancy and have enlarged areolae and thinned skin due to the enlargement of the breast that occurred during the pregnancy. Breastfeeding can affect the nipple structure as well and cause it to elongate. If your nipples are enlarged, you can have their size reduced. Some women with this shape of breast may need only breast lift surgery(mastopexy ).

The ptotic breast with little to no volume is also very common after any combination of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and aging. Breast augmentation can substantially improve this type of breast and it can be combined with a lift if needed.

A ptotic breast that still has volume will more than likely need a lift. The good thing about this breast shape is that there is still a substantial amount of breast tissue to cover the implant.

Very small breasts are more common than you think. In my opinion, women with small breasts come out of breast augmentation surgery with outstanding results. Usually, implants are placed under the pectoral muscles for this breast type. It is also possible to have the implants placed under the serratus muscles and the rectus abdominus fascia as well as the pectoralis major

Breasts like these are more of a breast anomaly than a shape, but breast augmentation can correct them. Often called “tuberous breasts,” "tubular breasts," or "constricted breasts", the problems are usually twofold. The base of the breast usually isn't wide enough and the nipple and areola complex may be overly prominent because breast tissue has been herniated, or squeezed into the tip. A very skilled breast surgeon can correct both of these conditions.

Some women have prominent nipple/areola complexes due to herniation of the tissue, lobules and fat. Sometimes, these are called “snoopy” breasts. They can be corrected with a Benelli mastopexy, along with areolae reduction.

Pectus carinatum with ptosis is not really a breast shape, per se, but is a deformity of the chest that is sometimes called pigeon breast. The ribs and sometimes the breastbone (sternum) protrude forward. Breast implants can give the illusion of a normal chest. The opposite of pectus carinatum is pectus excavatum, where the chest sinks in, and which is sometimes called sunken chest, There are therapies that may help correct pectus excavatum, although if desired, breast implants or pectoral implants (in males) will lessen the obviousness of condition.