The question of whether breast implants move like natural breasts is common, yet the answer is not a simple yes or no. The dynamic movement, often described as a “jiggle” or bounce, depends on the implant’s physical characteristics and its anatomical placement.
Key Variables That Influence Implant Movement
The physical properties of the implant, including size and shape, play a large role in how it moves. Implant size is a major contributor, as larger implants possess more mass, making them more susceptible to gravity and inertia during movement. A heavier implant exerts more force on surrounding tissue, potentially leading to more pronounced movement or displacement.
The shape of the implant also dictates its dynamic response. Round implants are symmetrical and allow the filling material to distribute more freely, resulting in a more natural adjustment when a person changes position. Anatomical, or teardrop-shaped implants, are designed to hold their specific shape. They tend to resist movement and may feel firmer or more rigid. The patient’s native anatomy, including existing breast tissue volume and skin elasticity, acts as a natural buffer, blending the implant for a more seamless transition and movement.
How Implant Material Affects The Jiggle Factor
The specific material used to fill the implant shell is the most important factor influencing its dynamic behavior. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water, which behaves like a low-viscosity fluid. This fluid nature means movement is highly responsive to gravity and motion, sometimes resulting in a noticeably fluid or “sloshy” dynamic, especially if the shell is not completely filled. In patients with minimal natural tissue, the liquid inside the saline implant can create visible rippling or folding of the shell, which is more noticeable during movement.
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel, providing a more viscous, semi-solid consistency. Standard silicone gels are designed to mimic the feel and movement of natural breast tissue more closely than saline, offering a more tissue-like response to motion. Newer generation, highly cohesive silicone gels, sometimes called “gummy bear” implants, are more form-stable. Their strong internal memory means they resist changes in shape, resulting in less overall movement compared to a round, softer silicone implant.
Placement: Above or Below the Muscle
The surgical plane in which the implant is positioned fundamentally alters how it interacts with the chest wall during movement. Subglandular placement positions the implant directly behind the breast tissue and in front of the pectoralis major muscle. This placement allows the implant to move freely, unrestrained by the muscle, which generally results in a greater degree of natural, unrestricted movement and bounce. This position is often preferred by active individuals because it avoids the dynamic distortion associated with muscle contraction.
Submuscular placement positions the implant either fully or partially beneath the pectoralis major muscle. While this provides an extra layer of tissue coverage that can reduce the visibility of the implant edges, it introduces a mechanical relationship with the muscle. When the pectoralis muscle contracts, such as during a push-up, it presses down on the implant. This can temporarily cause the breast to change shape, flatten, or move upward, a phenomenon known as animation deformity. This muscular restriction means the implant has less free movement compared to the subglandular position.
Achieving Natural Movement and Appearance
Achieving a natural result depends on optimizing surgical and implant choices for the individual patient’s anatomy. The surgeon’s technique in creating the implant pocket is paramount, as an appropriately sized pocket allows for the natural settling of the implant without excessive migration. Allowing the implant to settle into its final position over several months, a process called “dropping and fluffing,” is a natural part of healing that contributes to the final dynamic look.
Selecting a size proportionate to the patient’s frame and existing tissue volume ensures the implant is adequately draped and supported. Modern surgical practices, including the use of dual-plane techniques for submuscular placement, aim to minimize the effects of muscle movement while maximizing coverage.