Cohesive gel implants and the shape question

Silicone implant technology has advanced, and two related choices, gel cohesivity and implant shape, affect both the look and the behavior of the result.

Modern silicone implants use a cohesive gel that holds together rather than running if the shell is breached, improving safety and feel; the firmest, most form-stable versions are sometimes called gummy bear implants for the way the gel keeps its shape. Higher cohesivity gives more shape control and less rippling but a slightly firmer feel, while softer gels feel more natural. Shape is the other variable: round implants, the most common, give fullness throughout and rotate without consequence, while anatomical (teardrop) implants are shaped to mimic a natural slope with more volume at the bottom, useful in certain reconstructions and bodies but requiring textured surfaces to prevent rotation and demanding precise placement.

For most cosmetic augmentations, round cohesive implants in an appropriate profile produce excellent, natural-looking results, and many surgeons reserve anatomical implants for specific cases. The right combination of cohesivity and shape depends on your anatomy, tissue, and goals. As with implant fill, this is a decision to make with a surgeon who can match the device characteristics to what will look and feel best on your frame, rather than assuming the newest or firmest option is automatically the right one for you.

Related reading: How long breast implants last and when to replace them.