Gummy Bear Implants
Despite being used since the mid-90s and having approval for use in Europe, gummy bear implants have finally been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
Gummy bear implants are pre-formed breast implants that have specially cross-linked silicone to help them hold their shape and resist deformation and rupture. In other words, the silicone is more of a thick gel rather than a liquid.
The two principal makers of gummy bear implants, Allergan and Mentor, received approval for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction in adults. Patient satisfaction with gummy bear implants is remarkably high and the complication rate is even a bit better than with other breast implants—specifically the capsular contracture rate is lower.
Not everything about this breast technology is better, however. One issue with gummy bear implants is that they feel more solid than traditional silicone implants and certainly more so than saline. They are also more expensive.
The biggest drawback to gummy bear implants, though, is that they cannot be inserted through small incisions, which means the surgical scar will be longer after gummy bear implants than with saline inflatable breast implants.
Gummy Bear Implants vs. Traditional Silicone Implants
When comparing gummy bear breast implants to traditional silicone gel implants, the most notable difference lies in their structure and consistency.
Gummy bear implants are form-stable, meaning they maintain their shape even if the outer shell is broken, which reduces the risk of leakage and deformity. This makes them an appealing option for patients seeking long-term durability and a more anatomically contoured appearance.
However, due to their firmness, they may not feel as soft or natural as standard silicone implants, especially in patients with thinner breast tissue.
For patients prioritizing feel over structure, traditional silicone may still be preferred, though at the cost of a slightly higher risk of rippling or rupture over time.
Cost Considerations and Longevity of Breast Augmentation Options
While gummy bear implants typically come with a higher price tag than saline or traditional silicone implants, many patients find the investment worthwhile due to their longevity and lower rate of complications such as capsular contracture.
It’s important to factor in not just the upfront cost, but also the long-term benefits, reduced likelihood of needing revision surgery, and the overall satisfaction rate.
Patients considering options like TUBA or autologous fat transfer should also consult with board-certified plastic surgeons to understand how procedure complexity, anesthesia, and post-operative care can influence total costs.
But Where Are Your Scars?
Aside from trying to create the most natural looking and feeling breast implant, plastic surgeons are always trying to find ways to minimize or hide surgical scars. Traditionally this has been done by inserting an implant through the areola.
Newer breast surgery techniques, however, may hide the scars almost completely. In transumbilical breast augmentation, or TUBA, the breast implant is inserted through the navel (belly button). The surgical scar is hidden in a belly button fold.
While TUBA was initially criticized by some cosmetic plastic surgeons because of the difficulty in placing the implant, several studies have been published that show TUBA to be as safe as other breast surgery techniques.
One drawback is that TUBA is only available with saline inflatable breast implants—the implant shell is rolled up, inserted through a small incision in the belly button, guided to the chest, and filled with saline until the desired size is reached.
Because it is one of the most challenging breast surgery techniques, it is important to find a plastic surgeon that is completely comfortable with the the TUBA procedure. Also, since insertion and scar in the areola is acceptable to most women, you may want to weigh that option against the more expensive and involved TUBA.
Upcoming Advances in Breast Surgery Technology
The buzz at recent aesthetic plastic surgery conferences is breast augmentation using autologous fat transfer. In essence, fat is gently removed from an area of the body, filtered, cleaned, and inserted in the breast.
Lipoaugmentation, as it is called, is still not ready for mainstream use. Several things need to be worked out such as determining how long the transplanted fat will last, how much fat can be safely moved, and if lipoaugmentation interferes with breast cancer screening mammography.
Many surgeons are hopeful that lipoaugmentation will be a means of contouring existing breast implants or even a solo breast augmentation procedure. Right now though lipoaugmentation is not widely practiced and not thoroughly studied in clinical trials.
Is Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation the Future?
As research into autologous fat transfer continues, many in the cosmetic surgery community believe this could revolutionize breast augmentation.
This technique offers a more natural alternative for women who prefer to avoid implants altogether. Since fat grafting uses the patient’s own tissue, there’s no risk of implant rupture or rejection. Additionally, it offers dual benefits: body contouring via liposuction and natural breast enhancement.
While it’s not yet mainstream due to limitations in volume increase and concerns about fat reabsorption, advancements in fat purification methods and 3D imaging may soon make fat transfer a viable primary option for breast augmentation with minimal scarring and a softer, more natural feel.