If you’re considering a breast augmentation or even just starting your research, you’ve probably realized there is a lot more to implants than just “bigger or smaller.” Choosing the right breast implant is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the process, and it plays a major role in how natural your results look, how your breasts feel, and how they age over time.
At Integrated Aesthetics, Dr. Young Cho takes a personalized, anatomy-based approach to implant selection so that your results look balanced, proportional, and beautiful, not overdone. This guide will walk you through the key decisions involved in choosing breast implants, including saline vs. silicone, implant firmness, size, shape, and the leading brands we offer: Natrelle, Mentor, and Motiva.
Why Implant Choice Matters
Your implant isn’t just about volume; it determines:
- How soft or firm your breasts feel
- How much upper-pole fullness or cleavage do you have
- How natural your breasts look when standing and lying down
- How your results hold up over time
Two patients can choose the same “cup size” and end up with completely different results based on implant type, dimensions, and firmness. That’s why implant selection is always customized during your consultation.
Saline vs. Silicone Implants
One of the first choices you’ll make is between saline and silicone implants.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater after they are placed in the breast. They tend to feel firmer and can show more rippling in patients with less natural breast tissue. One benefit of saline is that if the implant ruptures, the breast deflates quickly, making it easy to detect.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of natural breast tissue. Because of this, silicone implants are by far the most popular choice today. They feel softer, move more naturally, and look more realistic, especially in patients who are slender or starting with smaller breasts.
A rupture in a silicone implant is often “silent”, meaning you won’t see sudden deflation, but modern implants are designed to keep the gel contained within the shell.
Understanding Implant Firmness & “Feel”
Not all silicone implants feel the same. Modern implants come in different gel cohesiveness levels, which affect how soft or firm they feel and how the breast looks in different positions.
Softer Gel Implants
These create a soft, natural transition between the chest and the breast. When you’re upright, the implant gently settles downward, giving more fullness to the bottom of the breast, similar to how natural breast tissue behaves.
Medium-Firm Gel Implants
These maintain more shape while still feeling natural. They offer a balance of softness and upper-pole fullness.
Firmer Gel Implants
These hold their shape more strongly and maintain more fullness at the top of the breast, even when upright. This is often chosen by patients who want more visible cleavage or a more augmented look.
Breast Implant Brand Options at Integrated Aesthetics
We offer three of the most advanced implant brands available today:
Natrelle® (by Allergan)
Natrelle is one of the most widely used and trusted implant brands. They offer a wide range of silicone gel implants with different profiles, widths, and firmness levels, making it easier to customize your results. Natrelle implants are especially popular for patients who want a soft, natural look with proven long-term safety data.
Mentor®
Mentor implants are known for their consistency, safety, and durability. They offer both saline and silicone options with a range of profiles and sizes. Mentor implants are often chosen for patients who want reliable, time-tested results.
Motiva®
Motiva represents the next generation of breast implant technology. These implants are designed to move and feel more like natural breast tissue, with extremely soft gel and a smooth, adaptive surface. Motiva is ideal for patients who want the most natural look and feel possible with advanced technology.
Choosing the Right Implant Size
This is where the process becomes truly personalized.
At your consultation, you won’t just pick a number; you’ll see it on your body. At Integrated Aesthetics, we use a sizing process that includes:
- A non-padded bra
- Implant sizers
- Trying on clothes with sizers so you can see how different sizes look in real life
You’ll try different volumes until you find a range that feels right. Most patients naturally gravitate toward a narrow volume window where they feel confident but still balanced. Once that range is identified, detailed measurements are taken of your chest, breast width, and tissue to determine whether a wider or taller implant will best achieve the look you want.
Implant firmness then fine-tunes how much fullness and cleavage you’ll have.
Your Pre-Op Visit: What to Expect
Your pre-operative appointment is where everything comes together. During this visit, we review:
- Your final implant size and brand
- Surgical plan and incision placement
- What to expect before, during, and after surgery
- Recovery timeline and post-op care
This ensures you feel confident, informed, and prepared for surgery.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Ideal Results
Choosing the right breast implant is only part of the journey—choosing the right surgeon is what brings everything together. At Integrated Aesthetics, your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Young Cho is a personalized, in-depth experience designed to create results that look natural, balanced, and tailored to your body.
Dr. Cho will evaluate your anatomy, walk you through implant options from Natrelle, Mentor, and Motiva, and help you confidently choose the size, shape, and feel that best match your goals.
Schedule your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Young Cho at Integrated Aesthetics today and start your journey with expert guidance, precision, and care.
