How to Choose a Breast Implant in 2024

It’s 2024, and the way you choose a breast implant has modernized. From 3D imaging to curated selections, finding your perfect fit has never been easier.

Featured Experts

• Raman C. Mahabir, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Tuscon, AZ
• Bradley Bengtson, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI
• Aviva Preminger, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
• Michael Horn, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago
• Kelly Killeen, MD is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and Natrelle partner in Beverley Hills

Keeping Your Health in Mind

“Implant choice is more than just choosing a cup size,” explains Beverley Hills plastic surgeon and Natrelle partner, Kelly Killeen, MD. “The key to a beautiful result is an implant choice that fits your anatomy.”

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Tuscon, AZ board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raman C. Mahabir emphasizes the importance of proper measurement to determine your anatomical fit. “Your plastic surgeon will take the full measurements of your chest and breasts to get what’s called the footprint or the base diameter of your breasts,” he explains. “Everyone is different, so you have to respect the width of your chest or if you go bigger, you’re going to get side boob.”

When you choose a breast implant, bigger won’t always be better.

“I do discourage my patients from choosing a very large implant to fill space in a deflated breast,” says New York plastic surgeon Aviva Preminger, MD. “That’s because it’s just putting an undo weight on the chest and the tissue.” Instead, a combination of an implant and a breast lift may better address a patient’s profile concerns without adding stress to the body.

Fitting your anatomy doesn’t just prevent excess weight on your chest, but also helps ensure you get the most natural-looking result.

“There is a specific range of implants that will fit inside your breast and body,” explains Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon Bradley Bengtson, MD. “Importantly, matching the width of the chest wall to the width of the implant is critical for natural results that have a proportional look.”

Spoiled for Choice

These days, you have a lot of choices when it comes to breast implants. Natrelle, for instance, has over 300 options for breast implants. From saline to silicone to size and shape, every step of the process is intended to be customized. When measurements like chest wall width and the weight of the implants are taken into account, you still have your choice of look and feel.

The huge range of options is whittled down by you and your surgeon, who can determine the healthy parameters of size and weight for your body.

“Your surgeon can help you choose the best option based on your needs, wants, unique body structure and more,” Dr. Killeen says. “Natrelle INSPIRA Breast Implants are designed to give a full look—especially at the top. Keep in mind that choosing the right implant for you is more than just deciding on size.”

You also have your choice of implant composition.

“Each type of implant comes with its unique advantages and disadvantages,” notes Chicago plastic surgeon Michael Horn, MD. “Silicone implants, while offering a more natural look and feel, may require more attentive monitoring. On the other hand, saline implants are often considered safer in the event of a rupture, as the body can naturally absorb the saline solution.”

Choosing by Touch, Feel and Look

Your surgeon should help you choose a breast implant from every angle.

“While in the office, we can use various technologies to help patients simulate their augmentation results,” Dr. Killeen explains. “There are also physical sizers you can place in a bra for simulation. There are even some augmented or virtual reality technologies which can help give you an idea of how your augmentation will look!”

Getting hands-on can help patients better understand what their results will feel like.

“We talk about options, and the patients touch and feel different types of implants and learn about the risks and benefits of each,” explains Dr. Preminger. “They also try on different sizes of implants with a sizing bra.”

And 3D imaging options are only becoming more advanced.

“3D imaging technology, like Canfield Vectra, is the best way to actually navigate implant selection,” says Dr Bengtson. “You can actually see the potential range of outcomes before surgery.”