What Type of Breast Implants Should I Have? Take Our Quiz

Such is the range of breast implants on the market today, it can be difficult to work out which ones are the right ones for you.

To help you understand the attributes of the different types - and how they might meet your aesthetic goals - Ocean Clinic Marbella has created a quiz. Simply read the questions and choose the answers you most agree with. Make a note of your answers and then check out your results below.

Of course, the best way to understand what type of breast implant will be ideal for you, is to have a consultation with a surgeon. A surgeon will consider your anatomy and take detailed measurements in order to find a shape, style and size that fits. However, attending the consultation with an idea of what you might like is also useful, so give our quiz a try!

QUIZ - What Type of Breast Implants Should I Have?

Q1. What is your key concern?

a) Increasing upper pole fullness

b) Increasing lower pole fullness

c) Correcting asymmetry of breasts

d) Achieving a better proportioned body

Q2. What is your preferred incision location?

a) In the armpit

b) In the crease under the breast

c) Around the areola

d) I don’t want scarring

Q3. What is your desired look?

a) An impressive cleavage

b) Perfectly shaped

c) Naturally full

d) Subtle enhancement

Q4. How do you want your breasts to feel?

a) Firm but with movement

b) Firm with limited movement

c) Soft with some movement

d) Soft with lots of movement

Q5. What best describes your physique?

a) Very little body fat

b) Some body fat

c) Moderate body fat

d) Ample body fat

Q6. Which of the following concerns you the most?

a) Implant rotating and breast becoming deformed

b) Implant leaking

c) Implant being visible/skin rippling

d) Need for more surgery in future

If you answered...

Mostly As: Silicone Implants

Silicone implants have the most natural consistency of all the implant types available and come in a versatile range of sizes and projections, although they are only available in round shape. The round shape makes them idea for restoring upper pole fullness and achieving a ‘full’ cleavage. Because round implants are completely symmetrical, an advantage is that they do not cause a problem if they rotate.

The silicone gel in the implants behaves like natural breast tissue, with a good ‘flow’. They are therefore a good choice for patients without much body fat. In such cases they can be placed under the muscle to disguise their outline. Unless you are having a very large size (or have small nipples), silicone implants can usually be inserted via an incision around the areola or through the armpit - their round shape makes them a good choice for when the surgeon does not have visibility of the breast pocket. In terms of safety, a leaking silicone implant can be hard to detect. Rupture is rare but you may still wish to have them screened every few years.

Mostly Bs: Cohesive Implants

Cohesive implants (also called gummy bear implants) are made from form-stable silicone, meaning they keep their shape at all times. They are firmer to the touch than standard silicone implants but they come in both round and teardrop shapes. The anatomical teardrop shape is bigger at the bottom and tapered at the top, mimicking a natural breast. It’s a good choice if you wish to increase lower pole fullness and do not have ptosis (breast sagging).

A cohesive implant has a lower risk of rupture and will maintain its shape even if the shell is broken. There is no gel to leak into the body, however, because they are semi-solid and less malleable, cohesive implants require a longer incision. Therefore they are usually not suited to insertion via the armpit or areola - especially if they are teardrop shape. Furthermore, there is a small risk with teardrop implants that they could rotate and lead to a misshapen appearance. Cohesive implants are a little less likely than silicone implants to be visible beneath the skin or cause rippling. Risk of capsular contracture is also reduced.    

Mostly Cs: Composite Breast Augmentation

A composite breast augmentation utilises cohesive implants in combination with a patient’s own body fat. Smaller implants are used to establish a base size and fat is added on top of and around the sides of the implants to create a soft covering that looks and feels natural. The advantage of this technique is that a variable amount of fat can be added to each breast, making it easier to correct any asymmetry and achieve the desired final cup size.  

Because smaller sized implants are used, they can usually be inserted through the areola. They are also lighter so can reduce the risk of 'bottoming out' (dropping too low in the breast), which can be a risk in patients with skin laxity. Use of a cohesive implant provides peace of mind that, if there is a rupture, there won’t be any gel leakage into the body. Meanwhile, the occurrence of issues such as implant visibility or skin rippling is most unlikely with a composite breast augmentation.

Mostly Ds: Fat Transfer

If you actually don’t like the idea of breast implants very much and don’t want any visible scars, a breast enlargement carried out using your own fat could be a good option. To be a suitable candidate you will need to have both enough donor fat (this can be taken from your tummy or thighs, for example) and realistic expectations in terms of what’s achievable. If you have tight breast tissue, this will limit how much fat can be transplanted there. On the other hand, if you have previously had bigger breasts and lost volume, this can be replaced with fat from another part of your body.  

Breast enlargement with fat can be ideal for patients who want to even out their figure, allowing excess fat to be taken from one area and put into the breasts to give a more balanced size. Patients must allow for a certain amount of fat re-absorption, however the fat cells that remain after six months will become permanent. The fat will behave naturally - increasing and decreasing in size with weight gain or loss. There will be no requirement for any future surgery, unless you want more fat transferred. Because fat is removed and grafted into place using a fine cannula only small puncture wounds are required, rather than the larger incisions necessary for implants.

Now you have a better idea of the type of implant you’d like, it’s time to choose a size! We have a wide range for you to try on. Make a consultation at Ocean Clinic Marbella.