What Happens When a Teardrop Implant Rotates?
An anatomic implant that spins out of position puts its fullness in the wrong place, and a distortion that persists is corrected by repositioning the device or switching to a round one.
Round implants look the same from any angle, so rotation is irrelevant. Teardrop — anatomic — implants are built with more volume at the bottom, which means their orientation is part of the result; if the device turns, the shape turns with it.
Spotting and fixing a spun implant
The tell is a fairly sudden change in shape: fullness bulging where it should not — the upper pole, or off to one side — sometimes noticed after sleep or exercise. Examination and imaging distinguish rotation from contracture or displacement. Rotation becomes possible when the pocket grows roomier than the implant’s surface can grip; how much room develops varies between individuals.
A rotation that recurs or leaves the breast visibly distorted is a surgical problem: the pocket is tightened so the implant cannot spin again, or the anatomic device is exchanged for a round one, which removes orientation from the equation entirely. Which route fits depends on the pocket and the patient’s goals — a question for a revision consultation with a plastic surgeon.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.