Which Breast Implant Option Is Best for My Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Posted May 06, 2025 in Breast Implants
What makes breast augmentation one of the most requested cosmetic surgeries year after year? Is it because it’s the perfect way to boost your confidence, restore volume to your breasts after pregnancy or significant weight loss, or enhance and balance your figure? No matter what your reason for seeking breast augmentation, one of the most important parts of the process is choosing the right breast implant. In this blog, we’ll go over the different types of breast implants, their benefits, and how you can figure out which one best fits your aesthetic goals, lifestyle, and physique.
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Types of Implants
At Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Mark Chin offers his breast augmentation patients three types of breast implant options: saline, silicone, or gummy bear. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type:
Saline Implants
Saline implants consist of a silicone outer shell filled with sterile saltwater. They’re inserted empty and filled once they’re in place, which allows for a smaller incision. Saline implants only come in a round shape, so they’re perfect for enhancing cleavage, but don’t look as natural as other choices.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants also have a silicone shell, but the inside is pre-filled with a silicone gel that mimics the look and feel of your natural breast tissue. They’re available in various sizes and shapes, so you will choose the one that matches your goals prior to your surgery.
Gummy Bear Implants (Form-Stable Implants)
Gummy bear implants are technically known as form-stable implants. They get their nickname because they’re filled with a thicker, more cohesive gel than traditional silicone implants. If cut in half, it would hold its shape, like a gummy bear would. These implants are usually teardrop-shaped and firmer to the touch than other silicone options.
Whether silicone, saline, or gummy bear, every type of implant has something unique to offer that may make it the perfect choice for your goals.
Saline Implant Benefits
Smaller Incisions
Since saline implants are filled after being placed in your body, a smaller incision can be used.
Easier to Detect Leaks
If a saline implant leaks or ruptures, you’ll know instantly, as your breast will visibly deflate, and your body will safely absorb the saline.
Silicone Implant Benefits
Natural Look and Feel
Silicone implants are softer and more pliable than saline or gummy bear implants, making them feel more like natural breast tissue.
More Choices
Silicone implants are available in a wide variety of sizes, and you can choose a round or anatomical (teardrop) shaped implant. They also come with different projection options (meaning how far out from your chest wall they project), as well as smooth or textured surfaces.
Gummy Bear Implant Benefits
Retain Their Shape
The thick, extremely cohesive gel in gummy bear implants means they hold their teardrop form better over time.
Reduced Risk of Leaks
Because gummy bear implants have a thick gel filling, the silicone will stay put if your implant gets damaged. Saline and traditional silicone will leak into the breast pocket if a rupture occurs, while gummy bear implant gel is much less likely to migrate if that happens.
What to Consider When Choosing a Breast Implant
Now that you know the basics of each breast implant choice, how do you decide which one is right for you? Below are some essential factors to consider:
Your Body Type
Are you naturally slender? Silicone or gummy bear implants might look and feel more natural because they ripple less and are easily hidden, no matter how much (or how little) breast tissue you may have. On the flip side, if you have more breast tissue to begin with, saline implants might be a good fit since the natural tissue can provide a softer feel and shape.
Your Lifestyle
Are you super active or enjoy high-impact workouts? Gummy bear implants may be a good choice because they are durable and hold their shape better than other options. But if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, saline might be worth checking out.
Desired Look and Feel
Do you want your breasts to feel soft and full? Silicone is probably your best bet. Or do you want a subtler, sloped look? In that case, gummy bear implants might be a better match. Do you prefer a firmer feel with enhanced cleavage? If that’s what you’re looking for, saline could be the right choice.
Incision Preference
Some patients worry more than others about incisions and scarring after breast augmentation. Saline implants allow for smaller incisions, which could mean less visible scarring. Gummy bear implants, on the other hand, require a longer incision because they are less malleable. Silicone implants fall somewhere in between.
How a Breast Augmentation Consultation Helps You Decide Which Type of Implant Is Best
Before you get overwhelmed by your breast implant choices, know that you’ll be making these decisions with the help and expertise of your plastic surgeon.
During your consultation, your surgeon will:
- Measure your chest and assess your existing breast tissue
- Talk with you about how you want your breasts to look and feel
- Show you implant options in-office (you may even be able to “try on” different types of implants)
- Discuss your incision options and placement of the implants
- Explain the risks and benefits of each implant type
The goal of your consultation is to develop a plan for your breast augmentation that fits your anatomy, aesthetic vision, and lifestyle. Sometimes, what you think you want may change once you try the implants or learn how a particular implant will sit on your body. Your breast augmentation consultation is the time to ask all of your questions and take advantage of Dr. Chin’s knowledge, expertise, and experience so that you know what to expect from your results.
Learn More About Breast Implants in Fresno
Undergoing breast augmentation isn’t just about making your breasts bigger—it’s a way to feel confident, comfortable, and happy in your own skin. Whether you choose saline, silicone, or gummy bear implants, Dr. Chin and his expert team will be there every step of the way to ensure that you receive the gorgeous breast enhancement results you desire. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (559) 435-9646 or complete the online contact form.