Motiva vs Mentor breast implants - which feels the most natural?

Hi, and thank you for your questions.
There's a lot going on here, and I have strong opinions about these issues.
The answers are a little beyond the scope of typing answers on this forum, but I'd be happy to see you n consultation virtually (I'm on NY time). You can call to arrange.
I can tell you that you are asking the right questions and it's important to consider your options carefully before you get into trouble.

I don’t believe traveling long distances for your breast augmentation/lift is in your best interest. There is likely to be very minimal difference in the softness/feel of your breasts between the Memorygel Mentor and the Motiva implant. This is especially true if you have a reasonable amount of breast tissue over your implant. Mentor has cohesive one, cohesive two and cohesive three gels. The cohesive one is the softest gel and you’ve indicated that that’s what you’re choosing which I think is an excellent choice. While the vast majority of breast augmentation/lifts go smoothly, an additional consideration is the extra travel/expense/time required should you experience any complications with your breast augmentation/lift. Finding a highly qualified, board certified plastic surgeon near you makes the most sense. Best wishes.

It is too early to have any conclusive result about Motiva breast implants; any comparison with already established and proven brands like Mentor or Natrelle is still to come. Having surgery close to your home and a surgeon available when needed is always an advantage. Good luck.

Dear L_88,


breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient.
When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.
Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.
Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.
You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question. As you suggested in your introduction, it is indeed correct that in order to advise you SPECIFICALLY, an evaluation in person is necessary. That would be true regardless if you choose to proceed with surgery. That said, a very satisfactory outcome can be achieved with virtually all commercially breast implants, but my own experience with Motiva suggests a slight advantage with regard to natural feel, and this is particularly the case with augmentation mastopexy (simultaneous augment and lift). The Mentor and Allergan (Natrelle) and Sientra implants are all usually perceptible, whereas the Motiva implants seem to be far less detectable when feeling the breast. Most plastic surgeons are using only round implants rather than tear drop shaped so your inclination to prefer round is a good one. Continue to do your research and make sure that you are comfortable with your plastic surgeon of choice with regard to reviews, gallery results, and the overall feel from the office and staff. Don't rule out the possibility that more than consultation may be in your best interest to feel confident with such a big decision as to moving forward with scheduling your surgery. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed message, you’ve clearly done your research, and you’re asking all the right questions. It’s completely understandable to want the most natural look and feel, especially after changes from weight loss and time.
Both Motiva and Mentor make excellent, high-quality implants, but they do have slightly different characteristics. Motiva Ergonomix2 implants are known for their exceptionally soft, “gel-like” consistency that mimics natural breast tissue. They also have an adaptive shape, meaning they’re round when you lie down but settle into a gentle teardrop contour when you’re upright. Many patients describe them as feeling “the most natural” inside the body because they move more fluidly with your own tissue.
Mentor smooth, round implants (MemoryGel) are also very natural-feeling, particularly when placed under the muscle or in a dual-plane position, which helps soften transitions and movement. While they can feel slightly firmer than Motiva to the touch, once healed and integrated into your tissue, most patients are surprised by how soft and natural they actually feel, especially if the right size and placement are chosen.
Whether it’s worth crossing the border depends on what matters most to you. If your highest priority is achieving that ultra-soft, adaptive feel and you’re comfortable with the travel, Motiva may be worth the trip. However, if your goal is a beautiful, natural result without added logistics, Mentor implants placed skillfully under the muscle or dual-plane can absolutely deliver a soft, natural look and feel as well.
Since you also mentioned needing a lift, that component of your surgery will make the biggest visible difference in shape and positioning, implants fine-tune the volume, but the lift defines the overall contour.
My advice would be to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who works frequently with both lift and implant cases, even if it’s initially virtual. Bring your size and profile preferences (350–375cc, moderate or demi profile), and ask to see photos of similar patients. That conversation will give you a much clearer idea of what each implant would feel and look like for your specific body.
Warm regards,Dr. Sibel Atalay, MDBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon