Harley Street Breast Clinic

Choosing Your Breast Implant

Choosing an implant involves four decisions: material, shape, profile and placement. This guide explains each in plain terms so your consultation with Mr Ghosh is an informed conversation. There is no single best implant — only the right one for your anatomy and goals.

Silicone vs saline

Feature Cohesive silicone Saline
FeelNatural, softSlightly firmer
If it rupturesGel stays largely in place; may be silentDeflates visibly; saline absorbed safely
Incision sizeSlightly larger (pre-filled)Smaller (filled after insertion)
Popularity in UKMost commonLess common

Shape, profile and placement

Shape
Round implants add upper fullness; anatomical (teardrop) implants give a gentler, sloped contour.
Profile
The projection of the implant — low, moderate or high — affects how much it stands forward for a given width.
Placement
In front of the muscle (prepectoral) or behind it (submuscular). Each affects feel, recovery and how the breast looks during movement.

Safety and traceability

All implants used carry full registry traceability and a manufacturer warranty. Implants are not lifetime devices, and some patients will need revision surgery in the future. Mr Ghosh explains the recognised risks, including capsular contracture and rupture, so your decision is fully informed.

Frequently asked questions

Are silicone implants safe?

Modern cohesive silicone implants are well studied and considered safe. As with any medical device, there are recognised risks, which Mr Ghosh discusses. All implants used carry full registry traceability.

What is capsular contracture?

It is the tightening of scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant, which can make the breast feel firm. It is one of the more common reasons for revision surgery.

Round or teardrop shape?

Round implants give more upper-pole fullness; anatomical (teardrop) implants follow a more natural slope. The best choice depends on your anatomy and goals.

Over or under the muscle?

Implants can sit in front of (subglandular/prepectoral) or behind (submuscular) the chest muscle. Each has trade-offs in feel, recovery and imaging, which Mr Ghosh will explain.

Next steps

The best way to choose is a consultation, where Mr Ghosh measures your chest, assesses your tissue and discusses your goals. Learn more about breast augmentation or fat transfer.

Sources

  1. Royal College of Surgeons — Cosmetic Surgery Standards
  2. MHRA — Breast implants information

Discuss your implant options

Book an appointment with Mr Debashis Ghosh, or call our team to discuss your concern in confidence.