Breast implant choice is one of the most customizable parts of breast augmentation, as the decision is made based on how you want your breasts to look and feel. Dr. Ryan Stanton, a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 18 years of private practice experience, is known for natural-contour breast results and helps women in Los Angeles choose the implant that best fits them. The most popular breast implant choices are saline, silicone, and gummy bear, which all affect how the breasts look, how they feel, and even the size of the incision in different ways.
What Types of Implants Are Available for Breast Augmentation?
The three main types of breast implants are saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater, silicone implants contain a soft silicone gel, and gummy bear implants use a thicker, highly cohesive silicone gel that holds its shape.
All three have a silicone outer shell, but the filling makes a meaningful difference:
- Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater. You can place them empty and fill them once in position, allowing for a smaller incision.
- Silicone implants are filled with a soft, cohesive gel that closely mimics natural breast tissue. Dr. Stanton typically recommends silicone for its natural look and feel.
- Gummy bear implants, also called form-stable implants, are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel that stays firm and keeps its shape even if the shell is damaged.
Each implant type comes in a range of sizes and profiles, so results can be tailored to your unique frame.
How Does Breast Implant Type Affect the Shape and Feel of Your Breasts?
Silicone implants generally look and feel most like natural breast tissue, while saline implants feel firmer and may show more visible rippling, especially in thin patients. Gummy bear implants feel firmer than traditional silicone but hold a stable, sculpted shape.
Saline implants can create a fuller, rounder upper breast. Because the filling is fluid, they may show more rippling or wrinkling, particularly when placed above the muscle or in patients with little natural breast tissue.
Silicone gel moves and settles more like breast tissue, creating a soft, natural contour. This is one reason many patients and surgeons prefer it for subtle, natural-looking results.
Gummy bear implants feel firmer and hold their shape when standing or lying down. Many are teardrop-shaped, with more fullness at the bottom, which can create a natural slope. Because they don’t fold easily, they often require a slightly longer incision.
Placement also influences the final look. Dr. Stanton may place implants above or below the chest muscle based on body type and desired outcome, and an incision in the breast fold helps keep scars discreet.
What Should Patients Consider When Choosing Between Gummy Bear, Saline, and Silicone Breast Implants?
When choosing a breast implant, you should consider the look and feel you want, as well as your natural breast tissue and body type, budget, incision preferences, age requirements, and long-term monitoring. A consultation helps match these factors to the right implant.
Key considerations include:
- Cost: Saline implants cost about half as much as silicone.
- Incision: Saline implants can be placed through a smaller incision, including through the belly button for a scar-free approach.
- Age: The FDA approves saline implants for augmentation as early as 18, and silicone implants at 22.
- Rupture detection: A saline leak is noticeable because the implant deflates and the body absorbs the salt water, while a silicone rupture may be silent and is monitored with imaging.
- Tissue coverage: Patients with less natural breast tissue may benefit from silicone or gummy bear implants to reduce visible rippling.
Saline implants may also suit younger patients because they can help gently expand breast tissue. During a consultation, Dr. Stanton reviews your anatomy and goals and offers honest guidance to help you feel confident in your choice.
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Can the Type of Breast Implant Be Changed After Your First Surgery?
Yes. Breast implants can be exchanged for a different type, size, or shape through breast implant exchange surgery. Many patients switch from saline to silicone for a more natural feel, and the procedure is usually performed through the original incision.
Breast implant exchange is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Stanton removes the existing implants, adjusts the surrounding tissue if needed, and places the new implants. You may choose an exchange to change your implant type, adjust its size, address a rupture or deflation, or correct capsular contracture. A breast lift can also be added to refine your breast shape.
Most patients return to work within 1 to 2 weeks, and results settle over several months. While implants are designed to last for many years, some women choose to exchange them every 10 to 20 years. For patients considering larger changes, breast revision or implant removal may also be options.
Ready to Choose the Right Breast Implants for You in Los Angeles, CA?
The right implant fits your body, lifestyle, and vision for your results. Dr. Ryan Stanton offers personalized breast augmentation consultations at his Los Angeles office on West Pico Boulevard. Call (310) 278-0077 or schedule a consultation online. Full, natural-looking results are just a phone call away.