You’ve decided to have a breast augmentation and you’re excited for your new look. During this journey, you will make some decisions such as selecting which type of breast implant you want – saline or silicone implants? Choosing breast implants may feel overwhelming when you see all the options available – so we’ve summarized the differences between the types of breast implants to help you make your decision.
Saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants each create different results and require different care over time. The implant you choose affects how your breasts look, feel, and age after surgery.
Your breast implant choice shapes your results for the future. There are no right or wrong choices. Saline implants offer one set of benefits, while silicone and gummy bear implants provide different advantages.
Each type of breast implant offers specific benefits, limitations, and maintenance considerations.
Patients often compare saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants when preparing for breast augmentation. A breast implant types comparison helps clarify which material and structure align best with each patient’s aesthetic and anatomical priorities.
Related: Breast Lift Vs Implants: Which One Should I Get?
Introduction to Breast Implant Options
Patients considering breast augmentation are often surprised by how many variables may influence their final outcome.
While size and placement are often the first decisions, the material and shape of the implant also affects both the procedure and long-term result.
Choosing between saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants is about personal preference and requires careful thought about the patient’s body, goals, and future maintenance expectations.
Importance of Choosing the Right Implant for Your Goals
Selecting between saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants depends on personal anatomy, visual preferences, and long-term maintenance goals.
Implant material influences incision placement, tactile feedback, and imaging visibility during routine exams.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants have been used for decades and remain a viable option for many patients.
Saline implants are made up of a silicone shell that is filled with a sterile saltwater (also known as saline) solution after placement of the implant in the breast pocket.
The structure of saline implants allows for intraoperative adjustments in size which can benefit certain situations. However, saline implants may be less favored when natural feel is the top priority.
How Saline Implants Are Placed and Filled
Saline implants are inserted empty and then filled with sterile saltwater once inside the breast pocket.
This may allow for a smaller surgical incision, which patients prefer. Their flexibility for volume adjustment after placement can aid with slight asymmetry corrections.
Typical Look and Feel of Saline Implants
Compared to silicone and gummy bear options, saline implants can feel slightly firmer.
Wrinkling and rippling may be more visible, especially in patients with less natural breast tissue. These features make them less commonly selected when the goal is a softer, natural look and feel for patients with very little natural breast tissue.
Key Benefits and Drawbacks of Saline
Saline implants provide volume control during surgery and are filled with a naturally absorbable fluid. Saline implants are easier to detect if ruptured. However, saline implants may feel less natural than their silicone counterparts. Saline implants do not require mammogram followup for leakage as the implants will appear and feel deflated.
Understanding the pros and cons of saline implants is essential when evaluating which breast implant option is compatible with your current breast shape and meeting your aesthetic goals.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are among the most commonly selected implant types.
Their structure is pre-filled with a cohesive gel designed to mimic the softness of natural tissue.
Many patients prefer silicone implants because they strike a balance between feel, appearance and longevity. They have a strong safety record and are widely used across a range of body types and aesthetic goals.
Surgical Incision Considerations
Silicone implants come pre-filled and typically require a slightly larger incision compared to saline implants.
Incision placement varies but is often made in the armpit (transaxillary), the inframammary fold (crease) or around the nipple (periareolar).
Consistency and Natural Appearance
Silicone implants have a cohesive gel that mimics the softness of natural breast tissue.
For many patients, the best breast implant for a natural look is often either silicone or gummy bear silicone due to their cohesive consistency and anatomical behavior towards a resultant natural droop..
Safety Profile and FDA Approval History
Modern silicone implants have undergone extensive testing and have received FDA approval for cosmetic use in individuals over age 22.
Silicone implant leakage or ruptures are typically silent, meaning they may not produce immediate symptoms. This is because the silicone gel remains in the breast pocket and is not absorbed like a saline leak or rupture. The volume or size of the breast remains the same. Thus only a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI imaging will detect a problem with the silicone implant.
Gummy Bear (Form-Stable) Implants
Gummy bear implants, also known as form-stable implants, are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel that maintains its shape over time.
These implants are often selected by patients who prioritize anatomical shaping and lower risk of visible distortion.
They are generally firmer than traditional silicone implants and require more specific surgical handling.
Unique Teardrop Shape and Gel Consistency
Gummy bear implants are form-stable, meaning they retain their shape even when cut in half.
Their teardrop design mimics the natural slope of the breast, which some patients find desirable.
These implants offer a firmer feel compared to traditional silicone.
Surgical Requirements for Gummy Bear Implants
These implants often require a longer incision due to their firmness and pre-shaped design.
Their placement is typically more technique-sensitive and should be performed by a plastic surgeon familiar with the specific anatomical considerations they require.
Long-Term Stability and Durability
Gummy bear implants are known for structural integrity and low rupture rates.
Cohesive gel breast implants are engineered to retain shape and minimize leakage, offering an added layer of reliability.
Comparing All Three Options Side by Side
Making an informed decision often requires reviewing all implant types under consistent criteria.
Patients are encouraged to evaluate appearance, longevity, maintenance, and how the implant interacts with their body.
This section outlines the core characteristics of each implant type to support an evidence-based conversation with your plastic surgeon.
Key Differences in Feel and Aesthetic Outcome
Saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants each have distinct tactile and visual qualities.
Saline may appear more prominent under thin tissue. Silicone provides a balance of softness and volume. Gummy bear implants retain their shape best, but feel firmer.
When considering silicone vs gummy bear implants, patients should weigh softness against form stability and incision size.
Implant shape and feel differences often influence patient satisfaction, especially in relation to natural movement and chest wall anatomy.
Longevity and Maintenance Considerations
Saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants differ in expected lifespan.
Silicone and gummy bear implants typically last longer, though replacement may still be necessary over time. The longevity of breast implant types depends on the material, surgical placement, and the patient’s ongoing health maintenance.
Cost Differences Among Saline vs Silicone vs Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy bear implants are often the most expensive, followed by silicone and then saline.
Cost should be viewed in relation to longevity, maintenance, and surgical complexity rather than initial expense alone.
Although not the primary focus of this article, textured vs smooth breast implants is another important distinction discussed during consultation. Textured implants have been removed from the US market due to safety concerns.
Additional Factors That Influence Breast Implant Selection
Many considerations beyond shape and material determine the success and satisfaction of breast augmentation.
While the primary focus is often saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants, several patient-specific factors further influence the final recommendation.
Breast Mound and Breast Tissue Thickness
Patients with a smaller breast mound and thinner breast tissue may be more likely to benefit from implants with form stability, such as silicone or gummy bear implants, to reduce visible rippling.
Those with a larger breast mound and moderate tissue thickness may tolerate saline or silicone implants without aesthetic compromise.
Skin Elasticity and Surgical History
Skin quality influences implant placement, sizing, and the risk of visible folds.
Patients who have undergone prior breast surgery may require more structured implant types or supportive techniques such as internal bras to achieve optimal contour.
Activity Level and Lifestyle Habits
Athletes or individuals with physically demanding routines often prioritize durability and shape retention.
Firmer implants may offer long-term stability under high movement conditions.
Safety and Monitoring Over Time
Each implant type has unique monitoring requirements.
Understanding how follow-up care differs with the type of implant helps patients choose an option that fits their long-term health plan.
Routine Imaging for Silicone and Gummy Bear Implants
Because ruptures in silicone and gummy bear implants are typically silent, routine mammograms , ultrasounds or MRI’s are recommended to confirm implant integrity.
This adds to long-term planning and should be considered during the decision-making process. Your plastic surgeon will advise you of the current recommended frequency for follow-up breast implant imaging.
Response to Implant Complications
Implant rupture, capsular contracture, and displacement are rare but possible with all implant types.
Treatment usually involves surgical revision.
Highly cohesive silicone implants or Gummy bear implants limit silicone migration due to the cohesive nature of the silicone gel.
Patient Education and Long-Term Checkups
Patients are encouraged to maintain annual breast exams and notify their plastic surgeon of any changes in breast shape, firmness, or sensation..
Proper monitoring ensures early detection of complications and protects long-term outcomes.
What to Expect During Your Breast Augmentation Consultation with Dr. Adrian Lo
A consultation provides an in-depth review of goals, anatomy, and implant options.
Dr. Adrian Lo evaluates each patient’s individual characteristics to customize a breast augmentation surgical plan that supports both safety and aesthetic outcomes.
Personalized Implant Selection Process
Dr. Lo will take exact chest measurements, assess skin elasticity, and review any past surgical history.
Together with the patient, Dr. Lo will identify the most suitable implant type and placement approach. During the consultation, the differences between saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants will be explained to ensure understanding and alignment with your aesthetic goals.
Surgical Planning and Incision Strategy
The surgical plan includes implant selection, pocket placement (submuscular vs. subglandular), and incision site.
The pros and cons of each aspect above are discussed during your consultation to ensure that the decisions made meet your aesthetic goals while minimizing the risk of a less than desirable outcome.
Setting Realistic Expectations
During the consultation, patients are educated on what each implant type can and cannot achieve. This includes projected appearance, softness, maintenance, and longevity.
Clear understanding and expectations leads to greater satisfaction post-surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr. Adrian Lo
If you are considering breast augmentation and need clarity on saline vs silicone vs gummy bear implants, schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Adrian Lo.
Serving patients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, Dr. Lo provides expert evaluation and customized planning for long-term results. Contact us today to begin your journey with informed guidance and expert care.