Breast implants are artificial devices used to augment the breasts. The implants are placed into the breasts through incisions. Breast implant surgery is a major procedure. It is highly invasive and involves risks and complications. If your breasts are smaller and you want to get bigger breasts, you may consider undergoing breast implant surgery.
There are two types of breast implants: silicone and saline implants. The silicone implant is made of a silicone shell filled with silicone gel. The saline implant is made of a silicone shell filled with saline solution. The gummy bear implant is a modern and advanced type of silicone implant. It is more cohesive and form-stable than standard silicone implants.
The gummy bear breast implant
Normally, when a new product or procedure is introduced into the medical community, it is sure to get a very scientific name. But, how did the gummy bear implant get such an unscientific name? Well, gummy bear implants are not called the gummy bear in scientific terms. Celebrated plastic surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens named it the gummy bear implant because when he slashed the implant into two pieces, the implant remained stable and did not change shape, just like a gummy bear. Hence, the name gummy bear breast implant became popular.
Some practitioners state that the name is ambiguous. The gel inside the shell is not completely solid. It simply remains together and retains its shape. What this means is that the implant is still exposed to rupture, despite being form-stable. The gummy bear implant is also called the 5th generation breast implant. It is the most popular and modern type of breast implant right now. They come with texture on the exterior of the implant shell, which decreases the risk of abnormal scarring and capsular contracture. Gummy bear implants cost more than standard breast implants.
Even though there is no straightforward way to make a comparison of the standard breast implant and gummy bear implant, the gummy bear implant is less exposed to ruptures and other complications. There is no doubt that gummy bear implants have transformed breast augmentation surgery. In the past, women wanting to get projected breasts had to choose only from standard silicone and saline breast implants. Now, they can opt to get the gummy bear implant as well.
The gummy bear implant is also popularly known as a highly cohesive gel implant and form-stable implant. It has a good record of safety and delivering better results. The silicone filled in the shell is cohesive and maintains its form and shape. Some popular examples of the gummy bear implant include Natrelle® 410 and Mentor® MemoryShape.
Gummy bear breast implants come in two forms: teardrop and customized. The teardrop shape perfectly mimics the natural breast. The customizable implant can be made to fit your unique body outline and definition.
Pros and cons of gummy bear breast implants
Gummy bear implants have many advantages. First, the implants maintain their shape and feel flexible. They deliver more natural results. The risk of implant palpability and rippling is lower in the case of gummy bear breast implants. Unlike other implants, the silicone filled in the shell does not make movement. What this means is that the breasts will not look like balloons filled with water, which is more common with saline implants.
The risk of capsular contracture is considerably lower, thanks to the use of textures on the outer surface of the shell. Capsular contracture is a complication that occurs when the scar that normally develops around the implants continuously contracts and changes the shape of the breasts. It also creates physical pain for the patient. Also, the implant is less likely to rupture. Even if it ruptures, the filler will remain within the shell or the implant pocket. However, it is important to remove ruptured implants as soon as possible.
When it comes to the cons, gummy bear implants require larger incisions. It means the resulting scar will be relatively prominent and larger. Also, the implant may rotate, which can affect the shape of the breasts. Some people think the gummy bear implant is fully solid. The reality is otherwise. The implant is not solid but form-stable. In other words, the silicone filled in the shell is more cohesive than the silicone gel used in a standard silicone breast implant.
All breast implants ultimately rupture, and the gummy bear implant is not different. However, the rate of implant rupture is considerably lower in the case of gummy bear implants. Even if the implant ruptures, the silicone material will not pose any risk to your health. To diagnose a ruptured gummy bear breast implant, the patient has to get an MRI because it is hard to detect a ruptured gummy bear implant visually.
The shaped gummy bear implant is more expensive. Also, the implant is relatively firmer, which means the patient may somehow feel the implant. To insert the implants into the breasts, the incisions would be made on the bottom of the breasts. The shaped implant is exposed to rotation and improper position. It is also important to keep in mind that since gummy bear implants are textured, there is a rare risk it may lead to a complication called lymph proliferative disorder.
Compared to shaped gummy bear implants, round silicone breast implants have been used for a long time now. They have a good history of safety and delivering better aesthetic results. Their surface is not textured, which means they don’t expose you to complications like textured implants.
Change in the shape of the breasts
Many people have no idea that the shape of the breast changes with your body position, and even a good implant will also do the same. To look natural, breast implants should move with your body movement, just like your natural breast tissue. For example, when you are lying down, your breasts should look round, and when you are standing upright, the breasts should look conical or teardrop shaped.
Round silicone implants are known to mimic the natural breast tissue impressively. They take a round shape when you are lying horizontally and become somehow tapered when you stand upright. Shaped breast implants, on the contrary, maintain only a conical position. They do not change shape with change in position or movement.
According to some studies, the rate of capsular contracture of the gummy bear implants is lower. However, you should keep in mind that gummy bear implants are relatively firmer.
Future of gummy bear implants
The gummy bear implants are here to stay. In fact, they will be more in use in the next few years. Moreover, the implants will get more facelift and see improvements. Many companies have made huge investments in gummy bear implant development, and there is research underway for improving them. The implants are good to remain in use because they promise better aesthetic outcomes and lower complications compared to traditional breast implants.
The surgery
The surgical procedure to insert and place the implants into the breasts is the same as that for standard breast implants. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The doctor will then make an incision in the breast and insert the implant into the breast. The implant will be placed under or over the pectoral muscle. The incision is then sutured and closed.
Like the standard breast implant surgery, the gummy bear implant surgery also entails risks. The common risks include infection, excessive bleeding, poor and slow wound healing, blood clotting, abnormal scarring, implant rupture, capsular contracture, and seroma and hematoma.
To get the best results with gummy bear implants, you must religiously follow the plastic surgeon’s instructions. The primary recovery will happen during the first two weeks of the surgery, whereas complete recovery will take six weeks. You must avoid physically strenuous activities like exercise, weight lifting, jumping, jogging, stretching and bending for the first six weeks following the operation.
The surgery’s results will gradually transpire. After several weeks or even months, the breasts will become bigger, shapelier, and aesthetically appealing. Your breasts will get projection and look sexy and voluptuous.
Conclusion
Breast implant surgery is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the US. It involves the use of prosthetic objects called implants to achieve the desired outcomes. There are two types of breast implants: silicone and saline implants. The gummy bear breast implant is the most advanced version of the silicone breast implant. Compared to the traditional silicone implant, the gummy bear breast implant is more cohesive and form stable. It maintains its shape and is firmer. The gummy bear implant has been discussed in detail above. The pros and cons of the implant are also explained.