Check out the latest in cosmetic breast procedures – the “gummy
bear” implant. Dubbed as such because of their close resemblance
to the jelly found in the cute gummy bear candy, these implants are taking
the cosmetic world by storm. Already a huge hit in Europe, gummy bear
implants are now making their way to the U.S. via approval by the FDA.
The first implant was approved in March of this year, and more brands
will likely be hitting the market soon.
Why Gummy Bear Implants?
The gummy bear implant is a cohesive silicone gel breast implant that offers a myriad of benefits over the standard saline and silicone implants, including:
- The ability to hold their shape over a long period of time
- Minimal risk of leakage, should a rupture occur
- Option to customize size and shape to patient’s body type
- More natural look and feel to the treated breast
Safety is a huge issue for breast augmentation devices as well, and the gummy bear implants have hit the safety mark thus far. The implants have been widely used in Europe for the past decade, and clinical studies in the U.S. are also showing positive results.
Gummy Bear VS. Saline Implant
With a multitude of choices in breast implants today, it can be difficult to know which implant is the best for you. While gummy bear implants are the current craze, other types of silicone implants are still available, as well as the tried and true saline implants. However, there are a number of reasons to consider gummy bear implants over saline devices, such as:
- Saline implants are more likely to cause rippling in the breast
- There is a greater risk of rupture and leakage with silicone implants
- The look and feel of the gummy bear implant may be more comfortable
On the other hand, saline implants have the advantage of filling after insertion, which allows for customization of the size of the implant. The saline implants can also be easily adjusted after insertion, by removing or adding saline solution to the shell.
Dr. Smith offers both saline and silicone options at his Las Vegas office. Patients will have a private consultation with Dr. Smith prior to breast augmentation to weight their options and choose the best implant for their needs. While the gummy bear implants that are coming are sure to be a popular choice for many patients, it is good to know other choices are still available at the Smith Plastic Surgery Institute.
