Key Takeaways
- FDA-approved breast implants follow strict testing and ongoing monitoring standards that support safety and predictable outcomes.
- Main implant options in 2026 include saline, silicone, gummy bear, and newer devices like Motiva implants, along with fat grafting for select patients.
- Key decisions such as implant type, size, and shape depend on your anatomy, lifestyle, and goals, as well as your surgeon’s training and experience.
- Breast implants carry risks and are not lifetime devices, so understanding longevity, imaging needs, and possible complications helps you plan long term.
- Mirror Plastic Surgery offers a concierge-style experience with dedicated time, careful planning, and FDA-approved options tailored to you; schedule a breast augmentation consultation with Mirror Plastic Surgery.
Mirror Plastic Surgery bases every breast augmentation on concierge medicine principles. The practice limits surgery volume, schedules one to two procedures per day, and focuses the entire team on you before, during, and after surgery.
Meet Dr. Akash: Your Expert Guide to Safe and Personalized Breast Augmentation
Dr. Akash is a Harvard-educated physician and Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon with fellowship training in aesthetic surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and medical innovation training at Stanford University. This background supports modern techniques that prioritize implant safety, soft-tissue support, and strategies to reduce capsular contracture.
Newsweek named him one of “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2025” for two consecutive years. He also serves on advisory boards for implant manufacturers, including Motiva, which helps keep patients informed about current and emerging options. Book a consultation with Dr. Akash to review your options in detail and design a plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Understanding FDA Approval and Breast Implant Safety
How FDA Approval Supports Long-Term Implant Safety
FDA approval for breast implants reflects a multi-step process that evaluates safety and performance over time. FDA-approved implants undergo initial testing for safety and effectiveness, with ongoing monitoring through clinical trials and post-market surveillance.
Core implant terms include:
- Saline implants, filled with sterile salt water
- Silicone implants, filled with cohesive silicone gel
- Form-stable or “gummy bear” implants, which keep their shape even if the shell breaks
- Smooth and textured surfaces, each with specific benefits and considerations
These standards and definitions help set clear expectations about feel, appearance, and follow-up imaging, while also outlining known risks and rare conditions.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Akash to review how these terms apply to your specific situation.
FDA-Approved Breast Implant Options in 2026
Saline, Silicone, Gummy Bear, and Newer Implants
The 2026 implant landscape includes several FDA-approved options that serve different needs:
- Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for women 18+, filled with sterile salt water, collapse if leaked, and provide uniform shape. Surgeons can adjust volume during surgery, and leaks are usually noticeable quickly.
- Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for women 22+; gel mimics natural tissue and may require MRI/ultrasound monitoring. These implants often suit patients with less natural breast tissue who want a softer, more natural feel.
- Gummy bear (form-stable) implants maintain shape if the shell breaks, are firmer, and shaped ones have more bottom projection and rotation risk. Several manufacturers offer these devices for patients who prioritize shape stability.
- Motiva breast implants were FDA-approved in 2024 and offer advanced technology in shell design and gel properties. As an advisory board member, Dr. Akash can explain how these implants compare with more established devices.
Some patients also consider autologous options. Fat grafting for natural augmentation in low-BMI patients can serve those who want modest, implant-free enhancement and meet specific candidacy requirements.
Discuss saline, silicone, gummy bear, Motiva, and fat grafting options with Dr. Akash to determine which approach best fits your anatomy and goals.
How to Choose the Right Breast Implant for You
Key Factors That Shape Your Surgical Plan
Good implant selection starts with safety protocols. Accredited operating facilities, board-certified physician anesthesiologists, and clear pre-operative assessments support low complication rates.
Your anatomy and lifestyle guide the remaining choices:
- Chest width, breast footprint, and tissue thickness
- Skin elasticity and any sagging that may require a lift
- Activity level and sports or job demands
- Preference for feel, upper-pole fullness, and volume
Saline implants allow easier rupture detection and can work well in patients with more natural tissue. Silicone implants provide a more natural feel, especially in thinner patients, but often require periodic imaging.
Implant shape also matters. Round implants typically provide more upper fullness with little concern for rotation. Shaped “anatomic” implants can create a more sloped, natural appearance but introduce rotation risk.
Board-certified plastic surgeons complete rigorous training in anatomy, aesthetics, and complication management. That background helps match implant design to your body instead of relying on generic sizing charts.
Schedule a detailed sizing and planning consultation with Mirror Plastic Surgery to review these factors in person.
Risks, Longevity, and Common Misconceptions
What to Know About Complications and Long-Term Care
Clear expectations help patients prepare for both benefits and limitations. Misconceptions often involve oversizing, believing implants last forever, or assuming any provider can safely perform augmentation.
Possible complications include:
- Capsular contracture, or tight scar tissue around the implant
- Implant rupture or leak
- Visible rippling, especially in thin tissue with saline implants
- Need for future revision due to aging, pregnancy, or personal preference
Both saline and silicone implants last 10-15 years, are FDA-approved, and have excellent safety records, but they remain medical devices that may eventually need replacement.
The FDA also monitors rare conditions such as Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) associated with textured implants and Breast Implant-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BIA-SCC) and lymphomas. Discussion of these risks during consultation allows you and your surgeon to align on implant surface choice and follow-up plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About FDA-Approved Breast Implants
Average lifespan of FDA-approved breast implants
Most saline and silicone implants last about 10 to 15 years, though some remain in place longer. Implants can require replacement due to normal wear, body changes, or personal preference. Longevity also depends on implant type, pocket placement, activity level, and individual healing.
Imaging needs for silicone breast implants
Silicone implants may need MRI or ultrasound screening to detect silent ruptures because the gel can stay within the capsule if the shell breaks. Many patients follow guidance to begin imaging several years after surgery and continue at regular intervals to support long-term safety.
Benefits of newer implants such as Motiva
Motiva implants, FDA-approved in 2024, feature design updates in gel, shell, and surface technology that aim to improve feel and durability. As a Motiva advisory board member, Dr. Akash reviews where these devices fit among other established implant options during consultation.
Role of fat transfer in breast augmentation
Fat grafting can serve patients who want modest, natural-looking enhancement using their own tissue. This approach can also refine contour around existing implants in selected cases. Mirror Plastic Surgery offers breast augmentation with fat transfer for appropriate candidates.
How to compare saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants
Implant selection depends on anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. Saline implants may suit patients who prefer immediate rupture visibility and have more native tissue. Silicone and gummy bear implants often work better for thinner patients or those who prioritize a softer, more natural feel and stable shape. A board-certified plastic surgeon can match implant design to your chest measurements and preferences.
The Mirror Plastic Surgery Approach to Breast Augmentation
Selection of FDA-approved implants at Mirror Plastic Surgery centers on three priorities: safety first, function second, and aesthetics third. This order helps support both appearance and long-term well-being.
Concierge-style scheduling with one to two surgeries per day allows extended planning time, detailed measurements, and careful postoperative follow-up. This structure supports natural, proportional results instead of one-size-fits-all sizing.
Book your personalized breast augmentation consultation with Mirror Plastic Surgery to review implant choices, imaging plans, and your long-term goals in a focused setting.
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Instagram: @mirrorplasticsurgery, @dr.akashplasticsurgery
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
