A New Silicone Option — Gummy Bear Implants

• Posted on: Jul 15 2018
• By: Snodgrass
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If you’ve been researching possible breast augmentation surgery with the team here at Snodgrass & Robinson, you know there are plenty of decisions to make beyond simply going ahead with the surgery.

Of course, you’ll choose the type of implants. In the past there were two choices: silicone or saline. But in 2012 a new type of implant entered your realm of options — the gummy bear implant. Despite being around for five years, these new implants are still somewhat of an unknown. We like our patients to have as much information as possible, so here’s some information on gummy bear implants.

What is a gummy bear implant?

These implants retain their shape, unlike other implant choices, because the gel is thicker than traditional silicone implants. In addition to “gummy bear implants” they are also known as cohesive, form-stable, or highly cohesive. These terms denote the attributes of these implants made by three companies: Sientra, Allergan, and Mentor.

Cohesive silicone gel

There is some confusion about what “cohesive gel” breast implants really are. Today all silicone implants sold use a more “cohesive” silicone gel than implants from the 80s and early 90s. Only the most cohesive, i.e. thicker, are deemed to be “gummy bear implants.” To get an idea of the density, if a cohesive implant is cut in half, there is no gross movement of gel, and the implant maintains its shape.

Teardrop shape

Cohesive breast implants are anatomically shaped to match the natural breast, which projects more at the bottom than at the top. The teardrop shape is thinner at the top, filling out more at the bottom. This shape maintains itself due to the thicker nature of the cohesive gel.

All gummy bear implants are textured. This texturing increases friction and helps keep the implants from rotating. This is very important because these implants are different at the bottom and the top, so maintaining their position is a necessity.

Safety

Sientra cites five years of study with its gummy bear implants. Here are some statistics.

• Low rate (3.9%) of capsular contracture
• Over 98% rupture-free through five years
• Zero reported incidences of implant rotation

You do need to remember that gummy bear implants are new in the context of long-term research and usage studies. Like traditional implants, gummy bear implants can rupture, although the gel tends to stay close to the implant. Rippling is far less prevalent with cohesive implants than with traditional silicone implants, although this is usually related to how much tissue is atop the implant.

While you’re doing your research on augmentation and implants, include gummy bear/highly cohesive implants in your study. If you have other questions about augmentation, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please call us at (706) 378-0200.

Posted in: Breast Augmentation