Breast implants feel hard to the touch. What should I do?

It’s hard to answer all these questions in the abstract, without having seen you. There certainly are differences between implants, but not necessarily how you describe them. Saline implants invariably feel and appear harder to the touch. Silicone implants are generally softer to the touch. A capsular contracture can make all of them feel hard, though. Shaped vs round implants will depend on your anatomy and your postoperative desires as to the result you are looking for. Textured implants will be significantly less likely to develop capsular contracture than smooth implants. ALL implants are recommended to be replaced periodically over their lifetimes. The current recommendation for ALL implants is 10 years. You can certainly go longer with saline implants, because the worst case is a fully ruptured, deflated implant. Silicone implants should be replaced more regularly because a ruptured silicone implant can leave more residual silicone in place resulting in more potential for recurrent scarring, contracture-not to mention more expensive, lengthy surgeries to remove and replace the implants. Hope this helps. Best. 

I recommend smooth round silicone. It feels softer than the shaped implants. The implant selection should be based on a combination of your desired size, soft tissue dynamics, breast base diameter and skin elasticity.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Hello, teardrop-shaped implants generally do feel firmer than other types of implants because their gel has to be thick enough to maintain their shape.  However, if a person has a thick enough layer of breast tissue they can still feel very natural.  Your surgeon will be able to give you more specific advice based on your body type.  Any breast implant can rupture or develop other problems so it is important to be aware that you might require additional surgery in the future, no matter what implants you choose.

I personally do not use MENTOR breast implants but instead favor the Allergan Inspira series of gel implants.  They are definitely soft and give my patients a very natural look and feel that is far superior to the saline implants.  Keep in mind that most Plastic Surgeons nationwide have gone away from saline breast implants because they simply do not look and feel natural and have a much higher tendency to ripple. I hope that helps and wish you the very best!-Gregory A Buford MD FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Thank you for your question.  How hard an implant will feel will depend on the amount of native soft tissue coverage that a patient has, implant placement (submuscular vs. subglandular), implant type and implant size.  In my experience, smooth round silicone gel breast implants placed in the submuscular position typically afford patients a more natural look and feel than saline implants do.  This is especially true in thinner patients with little soft tissue coverage.  At the time of consultation in my practice I make sure that my patients are able to see and feel the differences between the various implant options.  I would encourage you to schedule another consultation to discuss the pros and cons of the various implant options available to you and to actually see and feel each.  I wish you all of the best.

Thank you for your questions. If you saw a surgeon who picked an implant for you without letting you look and feel implants and make choices you think are best for you, then I think you should see another surgeon. Everyone has a different philosophy, but I think that making a life-long decision for someone as a surgeon without them having a say is not the right way to do things and you are obviously not happy with that plan either. Make sure you find a board certified plastic surgeon with which you feel comfortable and confident before planning any surgical procedure.Best of luck!

In general Memory shape Mentor implants are softer in my opinion than saline implants.  If you have concerns I would ask your surgeon his opinion and see if he has samples of both for you to feel.  Best of luck.  

Thanks for your question,I like to use smooth round cohesive silicone gel breast implants under the muscle, this feels more natural.Please make sure to make an appointment with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon to talk about your concerns and goals. Good luck :)

In general silicone implants have more variation in firmness than saline implants (unless the saline implant is under-filled, which in general is not recommended due to rippling effect of under-filling).  There are many softness and firmness levels already in the implants we have available so you and your surgeon can likely choose something you'd like.  Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified.  I've attached a link where you can start your search. 

Thank you for your question. Silicone implants tend to feel more natural than saline. Shaped implants are somewhat more firm than the average round silicone implants, however I wouldn't describe them as hard. You can have a natural look with round silicone implants if they are sized properly. Overall, choosing implants can be confusing. I would rely on your plastic surgeon for the best advice. If you have questions, reach out to them. They will be happy to discuss your specific anatomy, your goals, and help you find the implant that's right for you. The blog post attached discusses choosing the shape of your implants. 

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  For most of my patients, I use a smooth round silicone implant, which results in a natural appearance and feel of the breasts.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon