Like any cosmetic treatment, deciding to have breast implants is a big decision that requires careful consideration. For most women, the priority is larger, fuller breasts that look and feel as natural as possible.
Our breast surgery specialist, Mr James Murphy, will be happy to advise you on the different options at your consultation and answer any questions to help you feel confident you’ll have the most natural-looking breasts to suit your frame. You may even wish to use our specialist 3D modelling software to help you envision how your new breasts will look, guaranteeing you’ll be satisfied with your results.
Ahead of your consultation, here we explain the different types of breast implants and placements to answer: “which type of breast implant feels most natural?”
What are the different types of implants?
The two most common types of implants are saline and silicone gel. Both are created with an outer silicone shell and come in various shapes, sizes, and textures – each of which offers a different look and feel, so your choice will depend on your desired results.
Silicone implants
Silicone implants are often the most popular because they tend to look and feel more natural than the saline-filled alternative. As the name suggests, a silicone implant is a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel. These types of implants retain a stable shape for a long time.
Be aware that once you have silicone implants, your healthcare provider may advise that you have a breast MRI every few years to monitor the structure of your implants in case they rupture.
Saline implants
Saline implants are made from a silicone shell filled with a saline solution (sterile saltwater). Unlike silicone implants, saline implants can be filled to different levels before being placed in the body.
While considered safer than silicone implants in case of an implant rupture, saline implants are often firmer and less natural than silicone and are more likely to wrinkle as the saline water moves within the implant.
What about implant placement?
The placement of your implants will also impact how natural the results of your breast augmentation are. There are two breast placement options:
- Above the chest muscles but just below the breast tissue (subglandular)
Below both the chest muscles and the breast tissue (submuscular)
Both options are completely safe, however, the placement that is right for you will depend on the quantity of breast tissue you have ahead of treatment, since the more tissue you have to cover the implant, the more natural it will appear. For this reason, submuscular placement is preferred by most patients to give them the most natural look and feel.
During your consultation, Mr Murphy will walk you through the different placement options to help you determine which approach is best for you.
The size and shape of your implant
While you may have already considered the size of the implants you’d like or your desired cup size, you may not have thought about the shape of the implants.
Although teardrop implants, sometimes referred to as anatomical implants, became common a few years ago thanks to their natural appearance, they have since been ruled fairly problematic for a variety of reasons. One of the main issues with teardrop implants is that they’re textured on the outside to help them adhere to your natural tissue so that they stay in the correct position. Often, this texturing doesn’t maintain an anatomical position, causing significant complications including the collection of fluid around the implant (seroma), thickening and hardening of tissue around the implant (capsular contracture) and in rare cases, lymphoma.
Therefore, the best breast implants for safe treatment and the most natural-looking breasts are the Joy by Motiva implants, the next generation of breast augmentation. These breast implants are significantly softer than typical round implants, meaning they appear more natural, can be fitted with a much smaller incision, and leave minimal scarring. The benefit of round implants is that they’re able to rotate freely within the breast, enabling healing and reducing the risks of capsular contracture or other complications.
The Joy implants we use also have what is referred to as a nanotextured surface that is extremely compatible with the natural tissue and gives the lowest level of gel diffusion possible.
Which implants are right for you?
When it comes to natural-looking implants, there is no one-size-fits-all. The right size, shape, texture, placement, and type of implant for you will depend on a variety of factors including your body shape and frame, your lifestyle, the quantity of natural breast tissue you have, and your desired results.
At your consultation, Mr Murphy will assess your current body type and have a detailed discussion with you to understand your dream results. This will help him advise on the best type, placement, shape, and size implants to suit you.
The consultation is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the treatment, the implant types, the risks, or any other concerns you may have – ensuring you have complete peace of mind ahead of treatment.
Book your consultation using the form below.
