If you’re considering breast surgery, you’ll have heard of gummy bear implants. Ever since a savvy marketer coined the term, the cosmetic surgery community has been abuzz with this “hot new trend.” But are gummy bear implants the right choice for you?
Choosing the right implant for your breast augmentation is one of the most important decisions you will make. Our plastic surgeons at NuBody Concepts Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville and Memphis perform breast augmentations on a daily basis and can help you decide what works best for you.
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Not ready for a consultation yet? Let us share where we stand on the pros and cons of gummy bear implants by answering some questions you may have.
What are Gummy Bear Implants?
Gummy bear implants are a relatively new generation of breast implants. They are the most recent type of silicone implant to come on the market and are sometimes referred to as “fifth-generation” implants. They are distinct from regular silicone breast implants in that they are filled with a more highly-cohesive silicone gel. This makes them denser and allows them to retain their shape better than earlier versions.
Due to their ability to retain shape they are also called form-stable implants. And because they typically have a teardrop shape rather than the round shape of earlier implant versions, they are also referred to as tear-drop implants. (Don’t fear – they’re not called gummy bear implants due to their shape but rather their degree of firmness 
).
Are Gummy Bear Implants Different from Silicone Implants?
Gummy bear implants are silicone implants (as opposed to the other category, saline-filled implants). But regular, or round silicone implants are made from a softer gel that is more elastic. Since we’re already talking candy, you might imagine them more like Jello-O. Gummy bear implants are made from a denser version of silicone that allows them to hold their shape in any position.
Mentor’s MemoryGel is a good example of a regular silicone implant, compared to their highly-cohesive MemoryShape implant. However, breast implant science is continually evolving. There are a variety of implants that are better classified in degrees of firmness on a spectrum vs either soft or firm. Sientra breast implants come in two levels of cohesiveness that try to find a sweet spot between a soft, natural feel vs durability and shape retention.
What are Highly-Cohesive Breast Implants?
Highly-cohesive breast implant is simply the correct scientific name for gummy bear implant. Earlier generations of silicone implants use cohesive silicone gel, meaning they do not contain a liquid and therefore cannot leak. Highly-cohesive silicone takes this to the next level for implants that are firmer and retain their shape even better like, well, a gummy bear!
Highly-cohesive breast implants are also typically teardrop shaped, to better mimic the natural slope of the breast. The denser nature of the gel allows for more options when it comes to shape.
Are Gummy Bear Breast Implants Smooth or Textured?
Gummy bear implants are typically textured vs smooth. The texture helps them remain in place. As you can imagine, this isn’t important for round implants, but very important for a teardrop-shaped implant.
Textured implants are also believed to be less likely to cause a condition called capsular contraction (a type of thick scar) than smooth implants. However, textured implants are associated with a higher incidents of a rare type of lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), although it should be pointed out the incidence is still very low. Whether textured or smooth is best for you will depend on your body type and what your plastic surgeon advises. This is definitely a topic to discuss during your consultation.
What are the Advantages of Gummy Bear Implants?
Because of their shape retention, gummy bear implants are made to look very natural. They also defy the laws of gravity other implants succumb to and retain their shape longer than other implants. Another advantage of the highly-cohesive gel is that the implants are not prone to “rippling” like other implants might. There is a low risk of rupturing and the gel leaking into adjacent tissue.
Are There Disadvantages of Gummy Bear Implants?
The main disadvantage of gummy bear implants is their high degree of firmness. They can feel too firm to a patient, and thus not entirely natural. It is important to understand why highly-cohesive implants were developed in the first place, says Dr. Rosdeutscher, double-board certified plastic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at NuBody Concepts.
“Highly cohesive gel implants are typically used in reconstruction cases when a patient needs to have a breast shape created when breast tissue is removed. They are not an option for all patients as they are much firmer and feel less like breast tissue than other silicone implants.”
Dr. John Rosdeutscher, double-board certified plastic surgeon in Nashville, TN
At NuBody Concepts, we believe that gummy bear implants – despite the hype and patients often asking for them – are not typically the best choice for breast augmentation because of their firmness. We also prefer to stay away from textured tear drop shaped implants due to their higher association with BIA-ALCL than regular (round and smooth) silicone implants.
How to Choose the Best Breast Implant
In the end, which implant you choose will depend on a number of factors. For instance, what cup size are you looking for? Are you more interested in a breast enlargement or changing the shape of your breast? Are you looking for the lowest possible cost? Will the implants be placed under or over the muscle, which in turn depends on your size and frame, width of shoulders, etc.? Which type of implant is your plastic surgeon most comfortable and experienced with?
The best way to find answers to all of these questions is the schedule a personal consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Contact us today in Nashville or Memphis to schedule your breast augmentation consultation!
The post Should I Get Gummy Bear Implants for my Breast Augmentation? appeared first on NuBody Concepts | Cosmetic Surgery Center.
source https://nubodyconcepts.com/blog/breast-augmentation-gummy-bear-implants/
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