Since silicone implants were banned in the 1990s, saline has been the only choice open to women who wanted breast augmentation. Silicone made a comeback in 2006, Click Here but many women are still leery of them because of the chance of leakage. Saline implants cause rippling and don’t feel as natural as silicone. They also have a possibility of rupture, leakage and deflation.
So, given the disadvantages of all these implant choices, manufacturers like Silimed have been working on alternatives for years. Gummy bear or cohesive gel implants are the newest innovation in these devices. Because of the consistency and cohesive properties of the gel they do not leak and provide a safe alternative for women concerned by the possible adverse health effects of leaking silicone.
These devices consist of a very dense, high-strength, solidified silicone gel. When cut, this gel resembles the popular gummy bear candies in consistency and holds together, preventing the silicone leakage that was feared to cause connective tissue disorders like lupus. That’s the reason they are known as “gummy bear” implants.
What are the advantages of gummy bear over traditional saline?
Gummy bear implants have been used by women in Europe for a decade and have only now been approved for use in clinical trials in the U.S. Because they are designed to hold their shape and are much less likely than salines to shift, wrinkle, fold or ripple, they are one of the most popular choices for women opting for augmentation surgery.
Because they hold their shape better, they also tend to remain in an upright position and cause much less sag over time. Plus they do not make sloshing sounds like salines make. Gummy bears are the most promising alternative to standard gel and saline filled devices.
The disadvantage is that they are inserted as a complete unit and require a larger incision than saline implants, a fact that also limits the incision placement options. These devices also have an increased risk of scarring, but for many women, their durability and long-term benefits outweigh these disadvantages.
How natural do gummy bear devices feel?
Saline implants can feel very hard when overfilled, but gummy bear devices do not have this problem. Women like them because they feel very natural and closer in feel to a natural breast.
How safe are they?
Silimed, the manufacturer of these new devices has an ISO 9001 certificate that means they meet the quality standards for these which these medical devices. The FDA has also given them a clean chit of safety and allowed them to be used in clinical trials in the U.S. Plastic surgeons have also reached a consensus that they are safe and effective for use in augmentation surgery. In Europe, they have been used by women for years and are one of the most popular choices.
What sizes do they come in?
Gummy bear implants are available in all cup sizes up to “DDD”. A competent and experienced surgeon can help you decide which one is best suited for your body type and aesthetic preferences.
How do I know if gummy bear implants are right for me?
Only you and your surgeon can take that decision. Make sure your surgeon is qualified to practice plastic surgery and has training and experience in using these devices. Also ask him to show you before and after photos of former patients to assess if his results match those you hope to achieve.