These Gummy Bears Aren’t in a Candy Jar

Breast Augmentation Hilton Head Island, SC The decision to have breast augmentation with Dr. Smith is a big decision and surely one you need to make just for you, not a partner or spouse. Once you make the decision to proceed you’ll have a variety of other decisions to make, as well.

One of those, of course, is the type of implants you want. This used to be a two-option choice, silicone or saline. But recently another type of implant came on the market, the gummy bear implant. While technically a silicone implant, gummy bear implants are different enough to really merit a separate category.

Dr. Smith wants his patients to have all the possible information available when making decisions about plastic surgery procedures. With that in mind, here’s more information on gummy bear implants.

What is a gummy bear implant?

Although these implants are relatively new on the scene (first coming to the market in mid-2012), they are already referred to through a variety of terms. You may have heard cohesive, gummy bear, form-stable, or highly cohesive. These terms denote the attributes of these implants made by three companies: Sientra, Allergan, and Mentor. The term “gummy bear” actually came from a surgeon, due to the consistency of the gel in these implants, and that moniker stuck. These implants retain their shape, unlike other implant choices, because the gel is thicker than traditional silicone implants.

Highly cohesive gel

When compared to silicone gels used in implants during the 80s and 90s, all of today’s implant gels are more “cohesive.” The cohesiveness generally just denotes the density of the gel. Gummy bear implants are highly cohesive — if you cut one in half the gel will not move out of the implant and the implant retains 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 statistics

Because these implants have only been on the market for around five years, there isn’t a lot of patient usage data to pull from. And there aren’t any long-term studies yet. Sientra does have some statistics that the company put together during five years of study with its gummy bear implants. Here are those statistics:

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

Gummy bear implants have become a popular choice for breast augmentation, and they should be included in your research and consideration. If you have any questions or want to book a consultation, call Dr. Smith at (843) 705-8940.

SCMA@1.2x
abps@1.2x
asps@1.2x
ama@1.2x

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

* All indicated fields must be completed.
Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only. No solicitations please.

Smith Plastic Surgery

OFFICE HOURS
Mon-Thurs 8:30 am - 5 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 2 pm
Sat & Sun Closed

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top