How Different Silicone Implants Create Different Breast Shapes
Understanding How Implant Cohesiveness, Projection, Fullness and Surgical Planning Influence Natural Looking Breast Augmentation Results.
Many patients are surprised to learn that silicone breast implants are not all the same. Different implants vary in softness, cohesiveness, projection, width and shape, and these differences can dramatically change how the breasts ultimately look after surgery.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast and body procedures, Dr. Tyler Frew frequently explains to patients that implant selection is one of the most important parts of breast augmentation planning because different implants create very different aesthetic outcomes once they are placed into the body.
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Some implants are softer and more fluid, while others are firmer and more cohesive. These differences directly influence upper pole fullness, lower pole fullness, projection, and the overall contour of the breasts.
Not all Silicone Breast Implants are the Same
Many patients are surprised to learn that silicone breast implants are available in multiple levels of cohesiveness, projection, and shape.
Some implants are softer and more fluid, while others are firmer and more structured. Even implants with similar volumes can create very different breast shapes depending on how cohesive the silicone gel is and how much projection the implant provides.
This is one of the most important parts of breast augmentation consultation because different implants interact with the tissues differently once they are placed into the body. Some implants create softer lower pole fullness and a more natural contour, while others create stronger upper pole fullness and a more augmented appearance.
The goal is not simply choosing a larger or smaller implant. The goal is selecting an implant that creates balanced, proportional results while integrating naturally with the patient’s body.
Softer Silicone Implants Often Create More Lower Pole Fullness
Some silicone implants contain softer silicone gel with a more fluid consistency. Dr. Tyler Frew often describes these implants as softer and more syrupy.
Minimal fullness breast augmentation creates a softer upper breast contour with a more subtle and natural appearing transition.
These softer implants often:
- Create more lower pole fullness
- Produce softer breast transitions
- Feel softer to the touch
- Create a more natural appearing contour
Patients looking for subtle enhancement and a softer appearance often prefer these types of implants because they create a gentler breast shape rather than a more augmented look.
More Cohesive “Gummy Bear” Implants Create More Upper Pole Fullness
Other silicone implants are firmer and more cohesive, commonly referred to as gummy bear implants. These implants maintain their structure more firmly and do not collapse when held upright.
Maximum fullness breast augmentation creates stronger upper pole fullness and a rounder, more augmented breast appearance.
When placed into the body, more cohesive implants often:
- Create stronger upper pole fullness
- Hold projection more aggressively
- Produce a rounder breast shape
- Create a more augmented appearance
Patients who desire more visible fullness through the upper breast often prefer this type of implant depending on their anatomy and aesthetic goals.
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Implant Width And Projection Also Influence Breast Shape
Beyond the softness or cohesiveness of the silicone itself, the physical dimensions of the implant also play a major role in determining how the breasts will ultimately look after surgery.
Breast implants also vary in:
- Width
- Height
- Projection
These characteristics are important because they translate into very different looks once the implants are placed inside the body.
Different breast implant profiles create different levels of projection, upper pole fullness and breast contour depending on the width and forward projection of the implant.
Projection refers to how far the implant extends outward from the chest wall, while width determines how much of the chest the implant occupies from side to side.
Some implants create:
- Broader breast contours
- Softer projection
- More subtle fullness
These implants often create a softer overall transition across the chest and may appear more natural on certain body types. Patients looking for gentler enhancement and less dramatic upper fullness often gravitate toward this type of implant shape.
Others create:
- Narrower breast shapes
- Stronger projection
- More dramatic upper fullness
Higher projection implants extend farther outward from the chest wall, often creating a rounder appearance and more visible fullness through the upper portion of the breast. These implants may create a more augmented look depending on the patient’s anatomy and tissue support.
Even implants with similar volumes can create very different breast shapes depending on how wide the implant is and how much it projects outward. This is one of the reasons breast implant selection is highly individualized. The same implant may look completely different on two different patients depending on their chest anatomy, tissue thickness, skin elasticity, and overall frame.
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Saline And Silicone Implants Feel Different
Saline implants use a silicone shell that is filled with saline after placement. Silicone implants, on the other hand, contain silicone gel in varying levels of cohesiveness.
Because saline has a more uniform consistency, saline implants often feel somewhat less natural compared to silicone implants.
Silicone implants offer a broader spectrum of softness, cohesiveness, and fullness characteristics, allowing for more subtle differences in breast shape and upper pole contour.
However, both saline and silicone implants can create beautiful breast augmentation results when selected appropriately.
Choosing The Right Implant Depends On The Desired Look
One of the most important parts of breast augmentation consultation is understanding what type of result the patient is actually hoping to achieve. Some patients want very subtle enhancement that blends naturally with their frame, while others prefer more visible fullness and projection through the upper portion of the breast.
Ultimately, the “best” implant is highly personal. There is no single implant that is universally better than another because different implants are designed to create different aesthetic outcomes once they are placed into the body.
Some patients prefer:
- Softer fullness
- More natural contours
- Gentle upper pole fullness
These patients often gravitate toward softer silicone implants that create smoother transitions and a more natural breast shape. In many cases, the goal is enhancement that still looks soft, balanced, and proportional to the patient’s frame.
Others prefer:
- Stronger upper fullness
- More projection
- A more augmented appearance
Patients seeking this type of result may prefer more cohesive implants with higher projection profiles because they create a rounder appearance and more visible upper pole fullness. There is a large spectrum of implant options available, and each implant creates a different look once placed into the body.
The goal is choosing an implant that aligns with the patient’s anatomy, tissue characteristics, and aesthetic goals rather than simply choosing a specific size or profile. The same implant may create very different results depending on the patient’s chest width, tissue thickness, skin elasticity, and natural breast shape.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation planning focuses on creating balanced, proportional and natural looking results tailored to the individual patient. Patients interested in learning more about breast augmentation, implant selection, recovery, breast lift surgery, and long term breast surgery planning can explore our comprehensive Breast Surgery Education Hub for additional educational resources and procedure information.
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Silicone Breast Implant FAQs
What is the difference between soft silicone implants and gummy bear implants?
Soft silicone implants contain less cohesive silicone gel and tend to feel softer with more lower pole fullness and movement. Highly cohesive “gummy bear” implants maintain their shape more firmly and often create stronger upper pole fullness and projection. Research has shown that more cohesive implants can create more stable upper breast contour and fullness over time.
Do gummy bear implants look more natural?
Not always. Some patients feel softer implants create a more natural look because they move more naturally and create gentler transitions. Others prefer highly cohesive implants because they maintain shape and upper pole fullness more consistently. The most natural result depends on the patient’s anatomy, tissue thickness, implant placement, and aesthetic goals.
Why do some breast implants create more upper pole fullness?
Upper pole fullness is influenced by implant cohesiveness, implant profile, implant placement, and the patient’s natural anatomy. More cohesive and higher projection implants tend to maintain fullness in the upper breast because the silicone gel resists downward collapse under gravity.
What does implant projection mean in breast augmentation?
Projection refers to how far the implant extends outward from the chest wall. Higher projection implants create more forward fullness and a rounder appearance, while lower projection implants create a broader and more subtle contour across the chest. Even implants with similar volumes can create very different breast shapes depending on projection.
Are silicone implants more natural feeling than saline implants?
In most cases, yes. Silicone implants are generally considered softer and more similar to natural breast tissue compared to saline implants. Saline implants contain saltwater and tend to have a more uniform internal consistency, while silicone implants are available in multiple levels of cohesiveness that allow for more nuanced shaping and contour.
Can the same implant look different on different patients?
Yes. The same implant can create very different results depending on chest width, tissue thickness, skin elasticity, implant placement, and natural breast anatomy. Implant selection should always be individualized rather than based only on implant size.
What implant profile creates the most cleavage and upper fullness?
Higher profile and more cohesive implants generally create stronger upper pole fullness and more forward projection, which can increase visible cleavage depending on the patient’s anatomy and implant positioning. However, implant width, chest anatomy, and pocket dissection also play major roles in cleavage appearance.
Are highly cohesive implants firmer than traditional silicone implants?
Yes. Highly cohesive implants are typically firmer because the silicone gel is more form stable. This firmness helps the implant maintain projection and upper fullness but may also make the implant feel slightly firmer compared to softer silicone implants.
Do more cohesive implants reduce implant rippling?
Research suggests that highly cohesive implants may reduce visible rippling and wrinkling because the implant resists deformation more effectively than less cohesive implants. This can be particularly helpful in thinner patients with less natural breast tissue coverage.
How do surgeons choose the right silicone implant?
Choosing the right implant involves evaluating the patient’s anatomy, tissue thickness, chest dimensions, skin elasticity, implant goals, and desired level of fullness. Modern breast augmentation planning involves far more than implant size alone and often includes selecting the ideal implant cohesiveness, width, and projection for the patient’s body.
Elite Surgical Skill in Breast & Body Aesthetics
Dr. Tyler Frew is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery of the breast and body.
He is known for delivering natural-looking results through advanced techniques in breast enhancement, tummy tuck, liposuction, and mommy makeover procedures.
Dr. Frew combines surgical expertise with compassionate, patient-focused care, helping each individual restore confidence and achieve their personal aesthetic goals.
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Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
