Breast augmentation is a procedure with many different options that allow you to tailor your surgery to your very specific needs, body shape and desired results. One of the choices you will need to make before your procedure is the type of implants you would like to use. While saline and silicone are both good options, the newer “gummy bear” implants offer a third choice to women looking for the most beautiful and natural results.
HIGHLY COHESIVE GEL IMPLANTS
The term “gummy bear,” which was coined by a plastic surgeon, actually refers to a newer type of highly cohesive gel implants. They got their nickname because the silicone gel inside of them tends to hold its shape better if it is cut, similar to a gummy bear candy. This can be an attractive feature for women that are concerned about implant ruptures. While this implant can still rupture like the others, it tends to be stronger, less prone to rupturing and will not leak if a rupture does occur.
SHAPES, SIZES AND PROFILES
The gummy bear implants, like other silicone implants, come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and profiles. While the implants are all anatomically shaped, some of the shapes tend to be rounder and others tend to be more of a teardrop shape. This allows the implants to be customized to the specific body shape and desired result of each patient.
The size of the implant refers to its fullness. Implants are measured in cubic centimeters or cc’s of fluid, with gummy bear sizes ranging from 125cc to 670cc. Because gummy bear implants shape the breast rather than the other way around, the right size is especially important for these implants. The profile of the implant is how far the implant will project from the chest, and is typically based on the woman’s body size, shape and preferred results.
BENEFITS OF GUMMY BEAR IMPLANTS
Gummy bear implants offer a few benefits over other types of breast implants:
- Less risk of capsular contracture
- Lower risk for rippling
- Less likely to rupture and leak
- More likely to remain in position
- Tends to look and feel more like natural breast tissue
While there are a number of benefits of gummy bear implants, they are not necessarily right for everyone. It should be noted that the incision for this type of implant usually needs to go in the breast crease underneath the breast. The surgery can also take a bit longer, since care needs to be taken to ensure the anatomically-shaped implants are properly placed in the breast tissue. Recovery time is typically no different with gummy bear implants than with other types of implants.
MAKING THE CHOICE
Choosing the right breast implant is a highly personal decision that should be made between you and your plastic surgeon. Dr. Mashhadian will discuss your options with you, highlighting the pros and cons of each to ensure you get the best implants for your specific needs. Even more important than your choice of implant is choosing an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Mashhadian to perform your breast augmentation procedure to ensure the safest and most beautiful results.