Breast Implant Options for Canberra Patients

Round vs anatomical implants, profile, placement and sizing decisions

Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney

Implant choice is one of the most asked-about parts of breast augmentation. The questions Canberra patients bring to consultation are rarely just about cup size. They’re about which implant fits the chest wall, which placement matches the tissue, and which surface texture is safest. The answers vary patient to patient.

This guide walks through the variables that actually drive implant selection: round versus anatomical shape, profile and projection, placement, sizing, and safety considerations, including BIA-ALCL. If you’re earlier in the process and still working out whether breast augmentation is right for you, start with the Breast Augmentation Decision Guide for Canberra Patients. For pricing details, see the Breast Augmentation Cost in Canberra 2026 guide. For an overview of breast augmentation suitability, consultation steps and surgical planning, visit the main breast implants Canberra page.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) consulting at the Campbell clinic in Canberra and at Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly. The breakdown below is how the implant conversation typically goes during consultation.

Breast implant topics covered in this guide

• Round vs anatomical breast implants
• Implant material and fill
• Implant profile and projection
• Implant placement
• Implant sizing: why cup size is not the starting point
• Implant safety and long-term considerations
• What the consultation process looks like

Round vs anatomical breast implants {#round-vs-anatomical}

Two main shapes. Round and anatomical (also called teardrop).

Round implants are symmetrical. Same shape from any angle. Rotation in the pocket doesn’t change how the breast looks. Modern cohesive gel technology means contemporary round implants don’t “balloon” at the top in the way older generations sometimes did. For routine primary augmentation, round is the more commonly used option in current practice.

Anatomical implants have a teardrop profile, fuller in the lower pole than the upper, designed to mimic a sloped breast contour. They suit some patients better than round, particularly in tuberous breast correction where the lower pole shape is the main thing being addressed. The trade-off: anatomical implants need to stay correctly oriented in the pocket. Rotation can change breast appearance and may require revision.

Whether round or anatomical is the better fit depends on chest wall measurements, existing breast tissue, lower pole shape, skin quality, and what you want the breast contour to look like. The choice is made during consultation after physical assessment, not predetermined.

Implant material and fill {#implant-material}

Modern breast implants in Australia are predominantly silicone gel. The implant has a silicone outer shell with a cohesive silicone gel inside. Saline-filled implants are used less often in current practice and are typically reserved for specific clinical scenarios.

Cohesive silicone gel holds its shape well and has a softer feel than saline, particularly under thinner tissue cover. Modern formulations are firmer than older generations, hold shape better, and reduce the risk of palpable rippling. The implants used in Dr Turner’s practice are TGA-approved, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), and recorded in the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) for long-term tracking.

Implant profile and projection {#implant-profile}

Profile refers to how far the implant projects forward from the chest wall for a given base width. Implants come in low, moderate, moderate plus, high, and extra high profile options.

Higher profile means more forward projection on a narrower base. Often suits patients with narrower chest walls who still want forward fullness. Lower profile spreads the same volume over a wider base. Often suits broader chests, or patients who prefer a softer, less projected contour.

Profile selection depends on chest wall width, breast base diameter, and your preferred shape. It’s one of the more nuanced parts of the implant conversation and is best worked through during consultation rather than chosen from a brochure.

Implant placement {#implant-placement}

Three main placement options.

Subglandular. The implant sits above the chest muscle, directly under breast tissue. Used less often in modern practice because soft tissue cover above the muscle is thinner. That can mean visible implant edges or rippling, particularly in patients with less existing breast tissue.

Dual plane. The implant sits partially under the chest muscle (upper pole) and under breast tissue (lower pole). The most common placement in routine primary augmentation. Balances tissue cover with breast shape and reduces the risk of visible implant edges in the upper pole.

Submuscular. The implant sits entirely under the chest muscle. Maximum tissue cover. Can affect chest movement during exercise and can sometimes produce more visible animation deformity (where the implant moves with muscle contraction).

Placement choice depends on tissue thickness, muscle anatomy, implant size, and lifestyle. A patient who lifts heavy weights or trains regularly may need different placement to a patient with thin upper-pole tissue who prioritises a smooth contour.

Implant sizing: why cup size is not the starting point {#implant-sizing}

Implant sizing is one of the most common reasons Canberra patients seek consultation. The aim isn’t to pick a cup size or a volume in cubic centimetres in isolation. Sizing starts with chest wall width, breast base diameter, existing breast tissue, skin quality, and the projection that can be achieved safely on a given chest. This is why two patients asking for the same cup size may need very different implants.

Tissue-based planning means starting with what your body can support. An implant wider than the chest wall pushes outward, producing visible side fullness. An implant narrower than the breast base produces a gap at the cleavage. An implant too large for the soft-tissue envelope thins the tissue over time and increases the risk of palpable or visible edges.

In clinic, sizing tools include sterile sizers placed in a bra and 3D imaging where appropriate. These give a more accurate sense of how a given volume will sit on your frame than picking a number from a website.

The final sizing decision happens during the second consultation, after measurements, anatomical assessment, and discussion of what you want the result to look like. Cup size can be useful for describing goals, but it isn’t a precise surgical measurement.

Implant safety and long-term considerations {#implant-safety}

BIA-ALCL. Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is a rare cancer associated with breast implants. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reports that estimated risk varies by implant surface texture, with macro-textured and polyurethane-coated implants showing higher estimated risk than micro-textured surfaces. Dr Turner uses lower-texture implant options and does not use macro-textured implants. This is discussed during consultation, including the rare risk of BIA-ALCL and the importance of reporting any unexplained breast swelling, lumps, pain or changes after implant surgery.

For more information, the TGA breast implant associated cancer consumer page is the official Australian source.

Capsular contracture. The body forms a capsule of tissue around any implant. In some patients the capsule tightens and contracts, which can cause firmness, distortion, or discomfort. Lower rates are reported with submuscular and dual plane placement than with subglandular. Surgical technique, infection control, and implant choice all influence this risk.

Implant longevity. Breast implants are not lifetime devices. They may need replacement or removal at some point, even when the original surgery goes well. Patients should expect to discuss long-term monitoring during follow-up appointments.

Symptom awareness. Reporting unexplained breast swelling, new lumps, persistent pain, or changes in shape to your surgeon promptly is important after any implant surgery.

What the consultation process looks like {#consultation-process}

Under the Medical Board and AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines that came into effect in July 2023, patients seeking cosmetic surgery require a GP referral, at least two pre-operative consultations, and a cooling-off period of at least seven days after two consultations and informed consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid. Psychological screening for body dysmorphic disorder and other relevant factors is also part of the process.

This means implant choice is not made in a single appointment. The first consultation covers anatomical assessment, history, motivation, and an introduction to the implant variables. The second consultation refines the surgical plan, finalises implant choice, completes informed consent, and starts the cooling-off period before any deposit is paid or surgery booked.

If a practice tries to compress this timeline, that’s a concern, not a feature.

Where to go from here

For an overview of breast augmentation suitability, consultation steps and surgical planning, visit the Breast Augmentation Canberra procedure page.

If you’re still working out whether breast augmentation is the right decision for you, read the Breast Augmentation Decision Guide for Canberra Patients first.

For pricing detail, read the Breast Augmentation Cost in Canberra 2026 guide.

For information about surgeon qualifications, read the FRACS vs Cosmetic Surgeon in Canberra guide.

If your concern includes sagging in addition to volume, read about Breast Lift / Reduction in Canberra.

To arrange a consultation, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758. A GP referral is required before any cosmetic surgery consultation. Consultations at the Campbell clinic are held on Fridays by appointment.

Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612 Email: [email protected] Consultations: Fridays by appointment

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what breast implant size is right for me?

Implant size is selected using chest wall measurements, breast base width, existing tissue coverage, skin quality, and the projection that can be achieved safely on your anatomy. Cup size can be useful for describing goals, but it isn’t a precise surgical measurement. The final recommendation is made during consultation after individual assessment, usually with sizers and sometimes 3D imaging to give you a more accurate sense of how a given volume sits on your frame.

Can I choose my breast implants before consultation?

You can learn about implant types before consultation, and many patients arrive with a preferred shape, size, or placement in mind. The final choice should be made after clinical assessment. Shape, profile, placement and size all depend on your anatomy, tissue coverage and goals. The consultation process is designed to match these factors safely rather than choose an implant from a catalogue.

Round or anatomical implants: which is right for me?

For routine primary augmentation, round implants are the more commonly used option in current practice. Modern cohesive gel means they hold shape well and aren’t affected by rotation. Anatomical (teardrop) implants suit some patients better, particularly those with specific lower-pole shape concerns or tuberous breast correction needs. The recommendation depends on your chest wall, tissue, and the contour you want, and is made during consultation.

What is the difference between subglandular, dual plane and submuscular implant placement?

Subglandular places the implant above the chest muscle. Dual plane places the implant partially under muscle (upper pole) and partially under breast tissue (lower pole), and is the most common placement in routine primary augmentation. Submuscular places the implant entirely under the muscle. Each placement has different trade-offs between tissue cover, implant edge visibility, animation with muscle contraction, and recovery. The right choice depends on tissue thickness, implant size, and lifestyle.

How long do breast implants last?

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. They may need replacement or removal at some point, even when the original surgery goes well. Long-term follow-up is part of the standard care plan. Patients should expect to be monitored over the years and to discuss replacement or revision if a clinical reason arises.