A woman’s breasts have become a symbol for her sexuality, and it is considered by most as the part of the body that needs to be kept in the best shape.
Women enhance their physical beauty to fulfill their need to radiate their youthfulness and womanhood. Willing to go as far as cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, one of the female testimonies to artificial beauty is breast augmentation.
There are a variety of ways to augment one’s breast. Saline and silicone implants have been the most popular methods. Recently, however, a new silicone method made its debut after getting FDA Approval in 2006. Commonly called gummy bear breast implants, the cohesive gel breast implants have by far, been the biggest buzz in breast augmentation.
Gummy Bear Feel vs. Traditional Implants
Gummy bear breast implants are implants that come in the form of implant products that use a firmer and solidified silicone gel as its base.
The reason why it has been given the gummy bear pseudonym is because of how it reacts when you cut it. When you slice into it,, you will feel a sensation not unlike how gummy bear candies feel like: a soft solid that does not spill when its outer shell is ruptured.
Before the gummy bear breast implants were introduced, the most popular methods were the saline and the silicon implants. Saline implants are silicone rubber shells filled with saline solution, and formed to the desired shape of the patient. Silicone implants, on the other hand, are implants pre-filled with a fat-like silicone substance. It is fluid and sticky.
For a long time, the use of these implants were all the rage, until certain drawbacks started becoming apparent. Problems arise when the implant shells are ruptured. Saline implants deflate when ruptured, and the liquid that spills out will eventually be absorbed by the body. You can just insert another implant afterward, however.
Silicone implant rupture, on the other hand, may cause breast pain or deformity to a patient’s breast, and needs surgery to be removed from the body.
Appearance and Texture Benefits of Gummy Bear Implants
Compared to its two predecessors, gummy bear breast implants will hold together when ruptured. This is because it is solidified, and comes with a thicker outer shell.
Moreover, this implant feels more natural to the touch than the other two, and there is the apparent lack of a watery sound when the breasts move around (unlike saline solution implants).
Appearance-wise, the gummy bear implants are like nothing you’ve ever seen. The solidified gel’s consistency makes your breast look more natural. They hold their form, and will not likely wither, ripple or lose their shape over time. With these new breast implants, sagging risks are also lessened.
Gummy bear implants actually have almost the same composition as that of silicone breast implants. The only difference is that they have stabilized the bonds using cross-linkers, helping the molecules better bond to each other, thereby creating a more stable shape.
The Procedure: What to Expect During Gummy Bear Implant Surgery
Undergoing breast augmentation with gummy bear implants involves a careful consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the best implant size, shape, and placement.
The surgery typically takes one to two hours under general anesthesia. Surgeons often recommend inserting gummy bear implants through inframammary incisions (below the breast fold) to best preserve the implant’s natural teardrop shape.
Recovery from cosmetic breast procedures like this can vary, but most patients return to light activities within one week, with full results visible after several months of healing.
Advantages of Gummy Bear Implants Over Traditional Options
One of the main reasons patients are increasingly opting for gummy bear breast implants is their superior longevity. Unlike traditional saline or silicone implants, gummy bear implants are less prone to folding, wrinkling, or rupturing over time.
This makes them an ideal choice for individuals seeking a long-term solution with fewer future surgeries.
In addition, because the gel inside is form-stable, the risk of capsular contracture—a common complication in breast augmentation surgery—is significantly reduced with gummy bear implants.
Is the Cost of Gummy Bear Implants Worth It?
While gummy bear breast implants generally cost more than traditional saline or silicone options, many patients find the investment worthwhile due to their natural appearance, reduced risk of complications, and longer lifespan.
On average, gummy bear implant surgery can cost between $6,000 and $12,000, depending on the surgeon’s expertise and geographic location.
When considering any cosmetic breast procedure, it’s essential to weigh the upfront cost against the potential savings on future revisions and enhanced satisfaction with long-term results.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Gummy Bear Implants?
These implants are open to first timers in breast augmentation, patients who wish to undergo breast augmentation revision, or to those who underwent mastectomy and need breast reconstruction.
However, patients with specific medical problems need to reconsider. To be able to get the implant, a willing participant will undergo ten years of follow-up check up, and should live within the area of the surgeon.