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Sydney Breast Implant Options

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Breast Implant Options with dr turner

Selection of the right breast implant as part of your surgical treatment in breast augmentation, breast implant revision, or a breast lift procedure is crucial. Before undergoing any of these procedures, you’ll need to consider the following factors.

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1. Breast Implant Size

One of the most important aspects for women seeking breast augmentation is choosing the right implant size. Dr Turner can guide you through this often-confusing process helping you choose an implant that best fits your breast to achieve your desired aesthetic goals.

There are a number of tools available that we utilize during the consultation to help you choose the size to give you the breast shape you desire with confidence.

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Tissue-Based Planning

Using the latest breast augmentation assessment techniques, Dr Turner will take multiple measurements of your breast, including width, height and skin elasticity as well as point out any asymmetry of your breast and underlying chest wall. This allows you to accurately select the correct breast implant width for your breast and chest wall, as well as the profile or projection of the implant to achieve your desired cleavage or fullness.

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Breast Implant Sizing System

After your examinations and photos are taken, we get you to trial what your augmented breast will look like by using the latest Volume Sizing System. It uses a combination of unique sizers that fits over breast, giving a much more accurate estimate of volume than simply trialing breast implants of various shapes in your bra.

2. Breast Implant Shape

Women come in all shapes and sizes and so do their breasts. So, it only makes sense to have different breast implant shapes. When have your consultation with Dr Turner in our Sydney clinic, he will show you both teardrop and round breast implants and make a recommendation on the best options for you.

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Round Breast Implants

Round breast implants are the most frequently used implants worldwide and are ideal in women with well-shaped breasts who desire volume and extra fullness in the upper part of their breasts. Often women are concerned that a round breast implant will create an artificial cleavage, however a well-chosen round implant gives a very natural breast shape when placed in a customized dual plane location.

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Anatomical Breast Implants

Anatomical or teardrop breast implant are beneficial in women with little natural breast tissue, mild breast ptosis, tuberous breasts anomaly or who want less upper pole fullness in their breast. These implants consist of highly cohesive silicone gel to create a firmer breast with most of the volume towards the base to create a breast that mimics a natural breast shape.

3. Breast Implant Surface

Traditionally breast implant surfaces have been classified as either smooth or textured. However, with advances in breast augmentation surgery over the last decade this approach is overly simplistic. We now classify breast implant surface based the degree of roughness, as the higher the degree of roughness the higher the association with a rare condition called breast implant related Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

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01.

Smooth

Smooth implants have thin shells with low cohesive silicone gel making them softer, allowing a smaller incision than textured implants during breast augmentation surgery which is often appealing. However, as smooth implants move freely within the breast pocket they are only available in a round shape. The lack of stability of smooth implants leads to a higher risk of breast implant malposition and need for a breast implant revision procedure.

While many breast implant companies supply smooth implants, Dr Turner choice for a smooth implant is the next generation Motiva nanotextures breast implants. The advantages of Motiva implants are:

  • Capsular Contraction (10yrs)  –  1-2%
  • Implant Rupture (10yrs)  –  1-2%
  • ALCL – not reported (limited data as only 10yrs on market)
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Microtextured

These low textured or less rough breast implants come in a wide variety of shapes, including both round and anatomical shaped breast implants. Due to the texturing of these implants, they have thicker (multilayered) shells with firmer cohesive silicone gel which enables Dr Turner to shape your breast more consistently with more predictable placement due to the low rates of malposition.

Mentor MemoryGel Siltex breast implants are the most popular microtextured breast implant used worldwide with a 40+ year track record of clinical studies and safety data and is why it is Dr Turners preferred breast implant.  The advantages of Mentor implants are:

  • Capsular Contraction (10yrs)  –  5%
  • Implant Rupture (10yrs)  –  1-2%
  • ALCL – low risk with microtextured implants
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Macrotextured

Macrotextured breast implants were developed to reduce the risk of capsular contraction, the abnormal scar that forms around a breast implant leading to pain and distorted breast shape. This rougher texture also had the benefit of providing excellent stability with very low rates of malposition and implant rotation for a reliable breast shape.

A unique form of rough textured breast implants – polyurethane breast implants or ‘furry Brazilian’ had very low rates of capsular contraction and malposition. These were smooth implants with a polyurethane coating that is degraded over 5 years, which made the breast feel overly firm and unnatural during this period.

However, these macrotextured or rough breast implants have now been withdrawn from market worldwide due the strong association with BIA-ALCL. While BIA-ALCL is a very rare condition worldwide, over 90% of cases are associated with polyurethane or Biocell (Natrelle) implants which are no longer used in Australia.

4. Breast Implant Substance

While all breast implants are composed of an outer silicone shell, with different surface textures as discussed previously, the inside of a breast implants is either saline (sterile salt water) or silicone gel.

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Saline Breast Implants

While saline breast implants were a popular implant used decades ago, they are infrequently used for breast augmentation surgery now in Australia. Saline implants are filled with saline after the implant shell has been placed in the body. The concerns with saline implants are they are not as durable as silicone gel implants and if the shell ruptures the saline will be absorbed by the patient’s body and the breast deflates.            

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Silicone Breast Implants

Today the majority of breast implants used worldwide are now cohesive – form stable silicone gel implants. The cohesive gel in modern implants is a thick, jelly-like consistency that gives the implant a solid form, so if the implant shell is damaged or ruptures the gel will not ooze or leak.

With the two implants that Dr Turner commonly uses in breast augmentation surgery, they have a variety of difference consistencies to achieve your desired results.

  • Mentor Implants: have a 3 types of gel consistency, MemoryGel implants can be very soft (Coh I), medium firmness (Coh II) or more stable, firm gel (Xtra or Anatomical CPG implants).
  • Motiva Implants: have 2 types of gel consistency, the Progressive Plus are more stable, firm gel and the Ergonomix have a softer gel that appears more like an anatomical implant while standing up.
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Specialist plastic surgeon

Dr Scott J turner

Dr Turner FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons – Plastic Surgery) is a Sydney Plastic Surgeon with clinics in the Eastern Suburbs at Bondi Junction and Northern Beaches at Manly.

Dr Scott J Turner has over a decade of experience in private practice solely focused on performing cosmetic surgery.

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Dr Scott J Turner Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Implants

Can I still breast feed after getting breast implants?

Your breast implants normally won’t affect your ability to breast feed as the breast implants are placed behind your breast glands and don’t interfere with your breast tissue. It is generally thought that implants placed under the muscle have a lower impact on milk production. If incisions are placed around the areolar or a breast lift procedure is combined with a breast implant may interfere with milk ducts and affect milk supply, while incisions in the breast fold don’t have this concern. If you suffer with some nerve sensation changes after breast implant surgery this may affect the milk let-down response and make initiation of breast feeding more difficult. In these cases is best to consult with your surgeon and a lactation expert.

How long will my implants last?

While many of the silicone gel breast implants, like Mentor come with a lifetime warranty against rupture, most breast implants will fail at some point and so should not be considered lifetime devices. Women looking at getting breast implants need to be aware that further breast surgery in the future is inevitable, this can be due to the implant itself like implant rupture or malposition, or the capsule around the implant – capsular contraction and/or the breast soft tissue may change and need adjustment.

Based on the literature and Dr Turners experience about 25% of patients will require a revision to their breast implants within 10 years and by 20 years most patients would benefit a formal revision surgery.

What are the causes of implant rupture?

Breast implants can rupture for several reasons, whether they are filled with saline or silicone gel. A rupture occurs when there is a tear or defect in the outer shell of the implant, allowing the saline or silicone to leak out. Here are some common causes of breast implant ruptures:

  • Aging of the Implant: Over time, the implant shell may weaken, increasing the risk of rupture. Implants are not lifetime devices, and the risk of rupture tends to increase significantly after 10-20 years.
  • Trauma or Injury: A significant impact to the chest area, such as a car accident, a fall, or direct trauma, can cause the implant to rupture.
  • Wear and Tear: Normal movements of the body, especially over years, can create friction and stress on the implant shell. Repeated folding or creasing of the implant over time may eventually lead to rupture.
  • Capsular Contracture: Capsular contracture occurs when scar tissue forms tightly around the implant, compressing it. In severe cases, this can put pressure on the implant, potentially causing it to rupture.
  • Surgical Damage: During the initial surgery, the implant may be inadvertently damaged by surgical instruments.
  • Manufacturing Defects: Though rare, manufacturing defects in the implant shell can lead to early ruptures. Most implants are subject to rigorous testing, but a small percentage may still have defects.
  • Pressure from Mammograms: Although rare, the compression involved in a mammogram can sometimes cause an implant to rupture, particularly if it’s already weakened or older.
  • Overexertion During Healing: If a person engages in strenuous activities too soon after surgery, it can place undue pressure on the implant and the surrounding tissues, potentially increasing the risk of rupture during the healing process.

What is silicone and is it safe?

Silicon is a metal-like element that reacts with oxygen to become the most common substance on earth, silica. From beach sand to crystals, silica exists on the earth naturally. With intense heat and carbon, silica becomes silicon, which then can be further processed to become silicone. It is commonly used in lubricants and oils, such as polishes, body lotions, soaps, processed foods, chewing gum, and waterproof coatings.

There is no definitive evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases in the whole body, with silicone not only used in breast implants but also cochlear implants, pacemaker leads, orthopaedic implants, ocular lens, testicular implants and neurostimulator devices.

When I get a mammography, will breast implants affect it?

Breast implants can affect mammograms by making it harder to see breast tissue clearly, as the implants can obscure part of the tissue. However, there are techniques radiologists use to get clearer images, so it’s important to inform the radiologist about your implants before a mammogram:

  • Implant Displacement Views: Special techniques, like pushing the implant aside, allow better views of the breast tissue during the mammogram.
  • Additional Images: More images may be needed compared to a standard mammogram to ensure all breast tissue is examined.
  • Implant Rupture: While rare, the pressure from the mammogram could potentially rupture an implant, especially if it’s older.

How do I know when my implant has failed or leaked? 


While with older saline implants this was often noticeable with a sudden change in the size and shape of the breast. With new silicone implants, rupture of the implant shell is often asymptomatic or ‘silent ruptures’ due to the cohesive form stable silicone gel used in within the implant – so there may be no change in breast shape or pain. However, over time, some signs may include:

  • Changes in breast shape or size.
  • Hardening or lumps in the breast or underarm area (caused by silicone outside the implant).
  • Pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the breast.
  • Swelling or a change in sensation.
  • Breast asymmetry.

The best way to determine if you have a breast implant rupture is by frequent breast imaging, with either ultrasound or MRI scanning. Dr Turner recommends all his breast implant patients start breast imaging at 5 years post-surgery and continue every 2 years until your breast implant are removed or replaced.

How can you minimize capsular contraction with breast implants?

Capsular contraction is the most common complication requiring revision breast implant surgery and is due to abnormal scar tissue that forms around the breast implant leading to breast discomfort and change in appearance.

One of the main factors contributing to capsular contraction is thought to be due to bacterial contamination during breast implant surgery. The 14-Point Plan for breast implant surgery is a set of guidelines developed to minimize any inadvertent bacterial contamination:

  1. Use of intravenous (IV) antibiotics before incision: Administering antibiotics helps reduce bacterial contamination before the surgery begins.
  2. Avoiding periareolar incisions: Incisions around the areola and armpit may increase the risk of bacterial contamination. The 14-Point Plan recommends the inframammary (breast fold) incision.
  3. Use of nipple shields: During surgery, protective nipple shields can be used to prevent bacteria from the nipple ducts contaminating the implant.
  4. Minimizing implant contact with the skin: Surgeons are encouraged to minimize skin contact with the implant, reducing bacterial contamination from the skin.
  5. Changing surgical gloves before handling the implant: Fresh, sterile gloves are used to handle the implant to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
  6. Use of a Keller Funnel or no-touch technique: This tool or method allows for the placement of the implant without direct contact with the skin, reducing contamination.
  7. Use of triple antibiotic irrigation: The surgical pocket (where the implant will be placed) is irrigated with a triple antibiotic solution to reduce bacterial presence before implant insertion.
  8. Avoiding implantation of damaged or contaminated implants: Implants that have been compromised in any way should not be used to minimize infection risk.
  9. Precise control of bleeding: Meticulous attention to bleeding control reduces the chance of fluid collections (seromas), which can harbor bacteria.
  10. Minimizing the time the implant is exposed: Limiting the duration that the implant is exposed to air and external factors reduces the potential for contamination.
  11. Choosing the appropriate implant size: Ensuring the implant fits properly in the pocket reduces unnecessary movement or complications, which can increase the risk of infection.
  12. Avoiding the use of surgical drains: Drains can serve as a conduit for bacteria, so their use is discouraged unless necessary.
  13. Closing the incision with clean and precise suturing: Meticulous closure techniques help minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and complications.
  14. Postoperative antibiotic protocols: Continuing antibiotic treatment after surgery as prescribed can reduce the risk of infection during recovery.

What is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that some individuals experience after receiving breast implants, both silicone and saline. While this is not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, many people report chronic symptoms believed to be related to their implants.

Commonly reported symptoms of BII include:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Brain fog or memory issues
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Hair loss
  • Skin rashes
  • Autoimmune disorders or symptoms (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Sleep disturbances

The exact cause of BII is not fully understood. Some believe it may be an autoimmune or inflammatory response to the implant materials or the body’s reaction to having a foreign object, while others suggest silicone leakage or other implant components could contribute to symptoms.

Currently, there are no specific tests for diagnosing BII. However, many women with symptoms of BII report symptom improvement after having their breast implants removed (explant surgery). If experiencing symptoms, it’s important to discuss with Dr Turner or a specialist healthcare professional experienced in breast implant-related issues.

What is Breast Implant related Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)?

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or BIA-ALCL, is a type of T-cell lymphoma, a cancer of immune cells that can develop in patients with certain types of breast implants. Since it develops from immune cells and not actual breast tissue, it’s not considered breast cancer even though it arises in the breasts. Cancer cells are usually detected in the fluid (effusion) that might accumulate around the implant, or in the surrounding scar tissue (capsule). BIA-ALCL is usually not aggressive and grows slowly, however, in some cases, it might extend to other body parts if left untreated.

According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there are a few factors that increase the risk of breast implant cancer:

  • Textured implants:This is probably the most well-established risk factor. Almost all the cases of BIA-ALCL reported worldwide are in women who have macrotextured breast implants. Smooth or nanotextured breast implants have, on the other hand, never been directly linked to breast implant lymphoma.
  • Bacterial contamination:Sometimes during surgery, contamination of the implant with pathogenic bacteria may occur, causing inflammation.
  • Time since surgery:On average, it develops 7-10 years of implantation.
  • Genetic predisposition:Mutations in the JAK1 and STAT3 genes may cause BIA-ALCL.

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Dr Scott J Turner Specialist Plastic Surgeon “We are equally as passionate about cosmetic plastic surgery as we are about you and your experience with us. We are here to listen, educate, and support you throughout your cosmetic surgical journey.”

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