There has been a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of the cutely-nicknamed “gummy bear” breast implants at our Knoxville practice since Sientra, the new kid on the implant block, made a dramatic entry into the market after receiving FDA-clearance for high strength cohesive gel silicone breast implants in 2012. Sientra’s entire catalogue is comprised of breast implants known as “form stable” or simply “gummy bear” implants. Allergan and Mentor received FDA-clearance soon after Sientra for their fifth generation form stable implants and have a much wider variety of implants for physicians to choose from.
So now that anyone who wants these implants can have them, the question on everyone’s mind (mine included) is: are these shaped cohesive-gel implants the best silicone breast implants?
Implant Comparisons: Five Factors
Let’s compare these to our current Natrelle cohesive silicone gel implants in terms of longevity, shape, softness, incision size and cost. Perhaps the easiest of these questions to answer is the last.
Cost: You guessed it. The shaped “gummy bear” breast implants are more expensive indeed. But what about the other questions? Let’s have a look.
Longevity: What a lot of people like about these implants is that they cannot leak. Since they have the consistency of the gummy bear candies, there is not an inner gel to leak out. However, what we don’t know is how age will affect these implants over the course of many years. They may have cracks or small fractures as their edges, because it’s unlikely that aging will have no affect on them at all . All material fatigues over time. But how long? It may be another 10 to 15 years before we have answer to this but many people do like that fact that they are more or less solid
Shape: There does tend to be less change in the shape of the implants with positional changes. I see this as both good and bad. If you want more fullness in the upper part of the breast, this may be good — particularly when you’re standing up. But if you want your breast implant to act like the normal breast tissue, you don’t want excessive fullness in the upper part of the breast when you’re upright. Sientra also says highly cohesive gel implants have less folds, or scalloping. I don’t find this to be a problem with our current cohesive gel implants, whereas it can certainly be a problem with saline implants.
Softness & Incision: Everyone agrees that these implants are a little firmer. Also, they do require a slightly longer incision. This means that these implants will have to be placed through incisions on the bottom of the breasts.
So, for me the bottom line is that these implants give women another choice. However, I don’t think any of us can say that these are better or worse than our current implants, they just cost more.
All the best,
David B. Reath, MD
If you are interested in breast augmentation, be sure to read our award-winning eBook A Girlfriend’s Guide to Breast Augmentation. It’s 37 pages of everything you’ll want to know and a free download!
A Girlfriend's Guideto Breast Augmentation Breast Augmentation
Recovery ProductsVisit our online store.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2012 and has been updated to reflect changes in the industry.
Doctor David! Your advices are so much needed! Thank you so much!
What is your opinion for sensitivity does the incition affects sensitivity?
Susana,
The most important thing about sensitivity is nipple sensitivity. There may be a slightly higher risk of loss of nipple sensitivity when using an incision around the areola. However, there can be a loss of nipple sensitivity with any incision. Usually if this occurs, it is temporary lasting several months. But it can be permanent in some cases.
All the best,
David B.
How much are the “gummy bear” implants?
Hi Ashley,
Breast Augmentation prices are on our website here about halfway down the page. https://www.dbreath.com/plastic-surgery/breast-enhancement/breast-augmentation-knoxville-tn/ The gummy bear implants are a little over $1000 more than regular choesive gel implants.
Pingback: You Decide: Do Silicone Breast Implants Look Different Than Saline?
Your page is very clear and informative! If choosing the gummy bear how will this effect your breast if you become pregnant again? What will or eventually need to happen? And if there are or are not future babies if you will, will the gummies need a lift in the future?
Dear Nicole,
Thanks for your questions. It is very difficult to say what will happen in the future. With or without implants, pregnancies can affect the breast differently for different women, so it is hard to predict. Whether or not you will need a lift is more dependent upon your own breast tissue than the implant itself. With or without implants, you could need a lift at some point in your future.