When performing Breast Augmentation, Dr. Jugenburg understands the aesthetics of a beautiful, natural breast and aims to carefully incorporate these features into your results. However, the appearance of a natural looking Breast Augmentation does not necessarily require the use of Teardrop breast implants because implant placement is more important in determining the final look of a breast enlargement. At the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Jugenburg therefore only uses Teardrop implants for Breast Reconstruction in cancer patients (after a Mastectomy) when the recreation of a natural breast shape is important. Teardrop implants are more expensive than Round implants, and in a patient with existing breast tissue, can create an exaggerated and unnatural breast shape.
Typical characteristics of beautiful, natural breasts are:
Breast Augmentation surgery involves the creation of a pocket that allows for the placement of the chosen breast implant above or below the chest muscle (pectoralis major). The pocket can be made in one of two places: under the breast itself (also known as sub-glandular or sub-mammary), or under both the breast and chest muscle (also known as sub-muscular or sub-pectoral). However, when a Round breast implant is placed in a dual-plane position, where the muscle covers the upper two thirds of the implant, while the bottom third is covered by the natural breast tissue, the benefits of both a sub-muscular and sub-glandular pocket placement is achieved. The uneven compression from the muscle across the implant also creates a gentle, natural teardrop shape to the breast, without the need to use a more expensive Teardrop implant.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and affects about 11% of Canadian women. For women who require a Mastectomy (breast cancer surgery), a breast reconstruction helps to restore their body image, self-esteem and has been shown to improve survival rates. However, 90% of Mastectomy patients never have breast reconstruction, as they either do not know that it is available to them or do not realize that the surgery is OHIP covered.
Breast Reconstruction using implants is an option for women who either do not have sufficient excess skin and fat that can be used for reconstructive purposes, or who wish to avoid the prolonged recovery and risks associated with more complicated flap reconstruction techniques. Benefits of breast implant reconstruction are a quicker, simpler surgery, shorter recovery, and minimal risks.
The type of breast implant that is used, whether Round or Teardrop, will depend on a number of factors, such as the extent of breast tissue that was removed and the desired appearance of the breast.
Saline and silicone breast implants are available with a teardrop shape. Both types of implants have specific benefits and come with similar highly durable, elastic and resilient silicone shells that are designed to be highly resistant to rupturing or tearing.