A Patient Guide to Breast Augmentation
Lesson FOUR:
Implant Fill: What's inside an implant and how does it affect your result?
The Basics
What an implant is made of helps create your desired result
ALL breast implants have silicone shells, like the shell of a balloon. The Inside is either filled with saline (medically sterilized salt water) or silicone (also known as gel). The Silicone/Gel inside of a silicone implant can be thin like syrup or thick like a gummy bear (hence the name "gummy bear implants). The thickness of the gel is often called cohesivity, and a thicker/firmer gel filled implant is called a cohesive implant or gummy bear implant for this reason.
Silicone gel
The shell is filled with a silicone gel. “Gel” simply means a silicone fill. It feels the closest to natural breast tissue, which is why the large majority of patients choose it today.
Saline
The same silicone shell, filled with sterile salt water. Saline behaves like a looser, less natural version of silicone — it can go in through a slightly smaller incision, but tends to ripple more and feel more artificial and less tissue-like, especially in patients with with thin breast tissue.
There are different types of silicone gel, so in patients who get a silicone/gel implant, there's a second choice: cohesivity — how soft or firm the gel is, and how much it holds its shape.
Gel Firmness/Cohesivity
Softer and natural, or firmer and shape-holding
Lower cohesivity — softer, more adaptive
Moves and settles more like natural breast tissue, filling into the lower breast when you're upright. Tends to give a more natural, sloped upper pole and less rounded cleavage. Think of a more syrup like, softer consistency. Saline filled implants also act most like this type of implant, just with more chance of rippling.
Moderate cohesivity — balanced
A middle ground — some softness, with intermediate upper-breast fullness. "Over filled" saline implants often behave similiar to these gel implants, but still with more rippling in the silicone filled implants than gel.
Higher cohesivity — form-stable ("gummy bear")
Holds its shape more firmly and keeps more upper-breast fullness when you're upright, for a fuller, rounder, more augmented look. The firmer, shape-retaining feel is why these are nicknamed gummy bear implants.
Brand names vary. Mentor, Allergan, Sientra, and Motiva each have their own names for their softer, moderate, and firmer gels — the chart above lines some of them up. Your surgeon should match the gel to the feel and look you want.
Next Lesson
Keep it going
Explore More Breast Augmentation topics
Why "cc's" don't equal a cup size — and why your look matters more than a number.
How projection and width change the same volume's shape on your frame.
"Gummy bear" and beyond — how firm vs. soft gels feel and hold shape.
Search through before and after images organized by Category of what general "look" each patient has
To schedule an appointment to discuss achieving your breast goals, please click here to contact us, click the below link to schedule online, or call us at (469) 899-8758.
What financing options exist for treatments at Walker Plastic Surgery?
Walker Plastic Surgery has partnered with Care Credit to help our patients finance the costs of their procedures. The CareCredit card is North America’s leading patient payment program. The CareCredit card is easy to use, includes no hidden costs, and can be applied towards both surgical costs and follow-up appointments.
Through their website, you can access tools like the payment calculator and even find out if you qualify for a CareCredit card by starting a commitment free, instant application.