What is the softest feeling silicone implant?

Question

I'm trading out my old textured saline implant for silicone. What is the softest feeling silicone implant? Gel filled or gummy bear? Is there a particular brand that is softest?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The cohesive gel implants are the softest on the market as the gel is not as highly cross linked as the gummy bear implants.  I would recommend feeling each type in your plastic surgeon's office and choosing the one you like the best.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for this question. I feel that Mentor MemoryGel breast implants are the softest breast implants around, but that's my personal opinion in working with these devices for about 10 years. The firmest are saline and shape breast implants. See the link below for more information on breast implants. Best, Dr. ALDO

Michael F. Bohley, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The short answer is 'cohesive' gel, and no particular manufacturer over another.The 'gummy bear' shaped implants are necessarily more cohesive and therefore 'stiffer' to maintain their shape.  Any silicone gel implant will be softer than saline.  I agree with others who have suggested that youactually feel different examples of each that all plastic surgeons have in their offices.  God luck to you.

Todd C. Case, MD · Answer

There are three companies that sell silicone gel implants in the USA.  They are all similar, like Ford and Chevy.  You should discuss this with your surgeon and feel all three brands.  Each brand has some slight differences that may be more important to you than feel, or not.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Good questions. Generally, the silicone gel filled implants (as opposed  to the more firm gummy bear implants)  or the softest breast implants available.  Having utilized all three FDA approved manufacturer's implants, I think that they are all quite comparable.  Generally speaking, much of the final look and feel achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors:

1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal.

2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing long-term well-placed breast implants. Careful measurements (dimensional planning) and careful selection of breast implant size/profile are part of the surgeon's  responsibilities.
I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone) or model (low/moderate/high profile) of implant.

3. The type of implant used may determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. In other words, if a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.

4. The size and model of breast implant used may make a significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C or D cup” etc.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate.
I hope this, and the attached link/video (dedicated to breast augmentation concerns), helps. Best wishes.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

In my opinion a standard cohesive gel implant will be the softest. The silicone in the  'gummy bear' implants is more cross linked and they are a bit more firm feeling.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

The softest feeling silicone implants are no longer on the market.  25+ years ago there was a lot of competition among implant manufacturers to make the softest and squishiest breast implant.  This was accomplished by using runny gel and a thin shell.  Yes, these were nice and soft but they had a high occurrence of leakage and rupture and are no longer made.  The implants currently available don't feel quite as soft but they are much more sturdy and I think everyone would agree that it is a reasonable tradeoff.  The form stable anatomic "gummy bear" implants are more firm than most round implants.  Our office has a variety of implants that patients can squeeze and feel.   The more important issue with breast softness is the size of the implant.  Big implants in a thin and flat chested patient just are not going to feel (or look) very natural.  If a patient wants to look and feel like her chest could have (on a good day) occurred in nature, she needs to go with an implant that does not overwhelm her chest. The other very soft and natural option for breast enhancement is fat transfer.  Size increase is usually limited to one cup or so but the end result is totally soft and natural because it nice soft and squishy fat.

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

This is an interesting question since you will see all kinds
of answers from surgeons.  Unfortunately,
they are often giving you their opinion and not giving you the science.  Last year saw a lot of medical literature and
scientific studies that looked at all of the implants available for breast
augmentation in the US.  Complications
rates such as capsule contracture, which will make the softest feeling implants
when you handle them as firm as a rock when they are inside you, rupture rates,
satisfaction rates and how natural a breast implant feels when it is inside
your body.  The results were very
clear.  While the smooth silicone gel
implants feel nice and soft when you handle them in the office, the textured
gummy bear implants feel the most natural when they are inside you.  This is because they “Velcro” to your body
and become part of you.  Of all the
implants, Sientra came out on top of all the studies for having the best strength,
lowest capsule contracture rates and the producing most natural feeling breast.

I have added a video about gummy bear breast implants for
you as well as a web reference.

I hope that helps.

Best regards.

Robert M. Grenley, MD (retired) · Answer

Textured saline implants, in my opinion, were the worst feeling implants...the thicker shell accentuated the less-than-natural feel of saline implants, and wrinkling and ripples were more pronounced that with smooth saline implants. The softest silicone gel implants are any other implants than the shaped "gummy bear" implants, as the gel has to be even more cohesive and therefore firmer in order to maintain their shape. As to the alternative gel implants, we would be talking about round gel implants, and implants from all three companies are pretty comparable in terms of softness. There are some differences among them in other ways, but their softness is comparable.

What is the softest feeling silicone implant?

Answers (9)

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