It’s 2024 and the way you choose a breast implant has been modernized. From 3D imaging to curated options, finding your perfect fit has never been easier.
Featured experts
- Raman C. Mahabir, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Tuscon, AZ
- Bradley Bengtson, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI
- Aviva Preminger, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
- Michael Horn, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago
- Kelly Killeen, MD is a double board plastic surgeon and Natrelle partner in Beverley Hills
Keeping your health in mind
“Choosing an implant is more than just choosing a cup size,” explains Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and Natrelle partner Kelly Killeen, MD. “The key to a beautiful result is an implant selection that fits your anatomy.”
Tuscon, AZ board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raman C. Mahabir, emphasizes the importance of proper measurement to determine your anatomical fit. “Your plastic surgeon will take full measurements of your chest and breast to get what’s called an impression or base diameter of your breast,” she explains. “Everyone is different, so you have to respect your chest width, or if you get bigger, you’ll get breasts.”
When choosing a breast implant, bigger is not always better.
“I discourage my patients from choosing an implant that is too large to fill space in a deflated breast,” says New York City plastic surgeon Aviva Preminger, MD. “That’s because it just puts an undo weight on the chest and tissue.” Instead, a combination of an implant and a breast lift can better address the patient’s profile concerns without adding stress to the body.
Fitting your anatomy doesn’t just prevent excess weight on your breasts, it also helps ensure you get the most natural looking result.
“There is a specific set of implants that will fit inside your breast and body,” explains Grand Rapids plastic surgeon Bradley Bengtson, MD. “Importantly, matching the width of the chest wall to the width of the implant is critical for natural looking results.”
Spoiled for Choice
These days, you have one lot of options when it comes to breast implants. NatrelleFor example, it has over 300 options for breast implants. From saline to silicone to size and shape, every step of the process is meant to be customized. When measurements like chest wall width and implant weight are taken into account, you still have the choice of look and feel. All 4 manufacturers of breast implants approved by the FDA for use in the US have varying widths, protrusions, and gel stability.
The vast array of options is limited by you and your surgeon, who can determine the healthy parameters of size and weight for your body.
“Your surgeon can help you choose the best option based on your needs, desires, unique body structure, and more,” says Dr. Killeen. “My personal favorite are the Natrelle INSPIRA breast implants, which are designed to give a fuller look—especially at the top. Keep in mind that choosing the right implant for you is more than just deciding on size.”
You also have the choice of implant composition.
“Each type of implant has its unique advantages and disadvantages,” notes Chicago plastic surgeon Michael Horn, MD. “Silicone implants, while offering a more natural look and feel, may require more careful monitoring. On the other hand, saline implants are often considered safer in the event of a rupture, as the body can naturally absorb the saline.”
Selection by touch, feel and sight
Your surgeon should help you choose a breast implant from every angle.
“When we are in the office, we can use various technologies to help patients simulate the results of their augmentation,” explains Dr. Killeen. “There are also physical gauges that you can put on a bra to simulate. There are even some augmented or virtual reality technologies that can help give you an idea of what your augmentation will look like!”
Practicing can help patients better understand how their results will feel.
“We talk about options and patients touch and feel different types of implants and learn about the risks and benefits of each,” explains Dr. Preminger. “They also try different sizes of bra implants.
And 3D imaging options are becoming more and more advanced.
“3D imaging technology like the Canfield Vectra is the best way to really navigate implant selection,” says Dr. Bengtson. “You can actually see the potential range of results before surgery.”
