Breast Implants, Explained
Shape, size, profile and surface: everything worth understanding before your consultation, including the Mentor and GC Aesthetics implants our surgeons use.
Or request a brochureChoosing Implants That Are Right for You
There is no single best implant. The right one is chosen around you: your frame, your natural breast tissue and the result you want. Your surgeon will guide every decision, and understanding the basics first means you can ask the right questions.
Every implant we use has a flexible silicone shell filled with cohesive silicone gel, which holds together rather than flowing like a liquid, so the implant keeps its shape.
When you are ready, read about breast enlargement at Transform, or see real results in our before and after gallery.
Shape, size, profile, surface and placement all shape your result.
Shape
Round, semi anatomical or anatomical, depending on the look you want.
Size
Measured in cc, not cup size, and chosen to suit your chest width.
Profile
How far the implant projects forward from its base.
Surface
Smooth or textured. Your surgeon will recommend which suits you.
Explore Implant Size and Shape
Change the shape, projection and size to see how an implant's side profile changes. It is a simple illustration to help you understand the options before you meet your surgeon.
Illustration only. It is not to scale and is not a sizing tool. Real dimensions vary by brand and range, and your surgeon will measure you and use sizers at your consultation.
Over or Under the Muscle?
Where your implant sits affects how it looks and feels. Your surgeon will recommend the placement that suits your breast tissue, your chest and the result you want.
Over the muscle
The implant sits behind your breast tissue, in front of the chest muscle. Also called subglandular placement.
Can suit: People with enough natural breast tissue to cover the implant well.
Things to know: If breast tissue is thin, the edges of the implant can be easier to see or feel.
Under the muscle
The implant sits fully or mostly behind the chest muscle. Also called submuscular placement.
Can suit: Slimmer patients with less natural breast tissue, as the muscle adds extra cover.
Things to know: Recovery can feel tighter at first, and the implant can move slightly when you tense your chest muscles.
Dual plane
A combination of both. The upper part of the implant sits under the muscle, and the lower part sits behind the breast tissue.
Can suit: Many patients. It gives extra cover at the top with a natural shape lower down.
Things to know: Your surgeon will choose the type of dual plane that suits your breast tissue.
Dual Plane 1, 2 and 3
With dual plane placement, the number describes how far the lower edge of the muscle is released from the breast tissue above it. This lets the implant fill out the lower part of the breast.
The muscle is released along the crease under the breast. Most of the implant stays covered by muscle.
The muscle is released further, up to around the lower edge of the areola. This balances cover over the implant with a natural lower curve.
The muscle is released further still, up to around the upper edge of the areola. It can suit breasts with more lower tissue or some droop. If there is more droop, a breast uplift may be recommended alongside implants.
Your surgeon will explain which placement they recommend for you and why. Meet our surgeons.
Two Trusted Implant Brands
Our surgeons use implants from Mentor and GC Aesthetics, two established manufacturers with long track records. Your surgeon will recommend the one that suits you best as part of your breast enlargement.
Mentor MemoryGel
A round implant with Mentor's cohesive gel, which holds together evenly so it feels more like natural breast tissue.
Mentor MemoryGel Xtra
Part of the MemoryGel family, with more projection, fullness and firmness than MemoryGel. Moderate Plus and High Profile options.
Mentor CPG
A tapered, teardrop shape with more projection in the lower part of the breast, for a natural silhouette.
GCA PERLE
A round, smooth implant with a highly cohesive gel, in a wide range of sizes.
Mentor
Mentor has been making breast implants for over 40 years. More than 200,000 patients have taken part in its clinical studies, which track the safety and performance of its implants.
- MemoryGel is a cohesive silicone gel that holds together evenly, so it feels more like natural breast tissue.
- A wide range of profiles lets your surgeon match the implant's projection and width to your frame.
- Smooth or SILTEX textured shells are available, and your surgeon will recommend which suits you.
- CPG anatomical implants have a tapered shape with more projection at the base of the breast.
GC Aesthetics PERLE
A round, smooth implant launched in 2021. In 2024 GC Aesthetics announced a ten year clinical study following its performance.
- BioQ surface has low surface roughness, designed to sit in harmony with surrounding tissue.
- Emunomic gel is highly cohesive, giving projection, fullness and firmness.
- GCA 360 barrier is a shell layer designed to limit gel diffusion.
- Ultra Link shell is a strengthened outer shell.
Implant images supplied by Mentor and GC Aesthetics.
Smooth or Textured?
Textured surfaces were developed to help implants stay in place, but they have been linked to a rare lymphoma called breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The risk is very low, and your surgeon will talk you through the latest guidance from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Your surgeon will recommend a smooth or textured surface for you.
Both brands we use make smooth implants. Mentor also makes SILTEX textured implants, which include its CPG anatomical range. GC Aesthetics PERLE implants have a smooth surface called BioQ.
Your Implants, on Record
If there is ever a safety notice about an implant, you can be found quickly.
National registry
After surgery we can add your implant details to the national Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry, run by NHS England, at no extra cost.
Your implant details
You will be given the details of your implants after surgery. Keep them safe, as you will need them for any warranty claim.
Records since 2004
We keep records of every implant we have fitted since 2004.
Implant Warranties Compared
Warranties come from the manufacturer, and both brands we use include cover as standard at no extra cost.
| Cover | Mentor | GC Aesthetics |
|---|---|---|
| Rupture | MENTORPromise Protection Plan: free replacement implants for life, plus up to €1,000 towards surgery costs if a rupture happens within 10 years. | Comfort Plus Warranty: free replacement implants for life. |
| Capsular contracture (Baker grade III or IV) | Free replacement implants for 10 years. Also covers double capsule and late seroma. | Free replacement implants for life. |
| Extra cover | If a claim is accepted, the other implant can be replaced too at your surgeon's request. | Lifetime BIA-ALCL cover, including up to US$3,000 towards scans and surgery. The other side can be replaced too. |
| What you need to do | Nothing. Cover starts automatically and is free. Keep your implant details safe. | Keep your implant details safe. We will give you these after surgery. |
Warranty terms are set by each manufacturer and can change. Check the current terms at breastimplantsbymentor.net and gcaesthetics.com.
How Long Do Implants Last?
Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Many people keep theirs for many years, but they may need replacing at some point, often 10 to 20 years after surgery. It varies from person to person.
An ultrasound implant scan can check the condition of your implants at any time. If you decide to change or remove them, read about implant removal and replacement.
Your implant details are recorded and you receive your implant information. You will also wear a compression bra while you heal.
See a surgeon if you notice pain, swelling or a change in the shape or feel of your breasts.
We recommend a check up with a surgeon.
Replacement may be considered, depending on your implants and your wishes.
Risks to Know About
Every surgery carries risks, and your surgeon will go through them with you in detail. These are the ones specific to implants.
Capsular contracture
Scar tissue tightening around the implant, which can cause firmness, discomfort or a change in shape.
Rupture
A tear or hole in the implant shell. An ultrasound scan can check for it.
Rippling
Visible or palpable folds, more likely if you have thin breast tissue.
Implant movement
The implant shifting or rotating from its intended position.
BIA-ALCL
A rare lymphoma linked mainly to textured implants. Read the MHRA guidance.
Breast implant illness
A term some people use for symptoms such as tiredness and joint pain that they link to their implants. Research is ongoing.
FAQ's
Answers to the questions we are asked most about breast implants. If yours is not here, ask us at your free consultation.
Your surgeon will recommend the implant they feel suits your body and goals best, and explain why. You can talk through any preferences at your consultation.
There is no single best implant for everyone. The right choice depends on your anatomy, the look you want and your surgeon’s advice.
Yes. Both brands we use come with the manufacturer’s warranty at no extra cost. Mentor implants are covered by the MENTORPromise Protection Plan and GC Aesthetics implants by the Comfort Plus Warranty, and both start automatically.
Your surgeon will recommend a smooth or textured surface based on your anatomy and the implant shape. Both Mentor and GC Aesthetics make smooth implants, and Mentor also makes textured implants.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices and may need replacing at some point, often 10 to 20 years after surgery. We recommend a check up around 10 years after your operation.
Many people breastfeed after breast enlargement, but it cannot be guaranteed. Let your surgeon know if you are planning a family.
You can still have mammograms with implants. Tell the radiographer you have implants before your appointment, as extra views may be needed.
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