Gummy bear breast implants are relatively new to the market. When you’re thinking about undergoing breast augmentation, one of the choices you have to make is which type of breast implant to use. Read on to learn about gummy bear gel implants.
What are Gummy Bear Breast Implants?
Gummy bear breast implants use a highly cohesive gel with tight molecular bonds. The implants themselves look nothing like gummy bears. They get their name because of the implant’s ability to hold their shape instead of leaking if you were to cut or rupture it.
The shape of gummy bear implants is similar to natural breasts; they are slim at the top and get wider at the bottom, like a teardrop. These types of implants are also referred to as “form-stable” implants. The cohesive silicone gel doesn’t run like a liquid if the implant breaks.
Usually, traditional breast implants contain outer silicone shells plus filler materials. Most implants will contain either saline solution or silicone gel. Gummy bear implants have both the silicone shell and silicone gel filling. And that’s why gummy breast implants retain their shape and leave the breasts naturally soft.
How Are Gummy Bear Breast Implants Different from Silicone Implants?
The main difference between traditional silicone breast implants and gummy bear implants is the consistency of the gel. Unlike traditional implants, gummy bear implants are firmer, feel more natural to the touch and hold their shape better. Because of that, they tend to simulate the feel of a woman’s breasts.
Compared to saline implants, gummy bear and silicone implants are softer. If you are considering breast reconstruction, teardrop gummy bear implants offer a unique advantage. They don’t need to fit around the existing breast tissue.
There is also the issue of safety. One of the main risks of silicone implants is that they can rupture, and the silicone might leak into the surrounding breast tissue. You can minimise this risk by getting stronger shell implants. With gummy bear breast implants, this risk is even lower. Due to the gel’s nature, it’s highly unlikely that it will leak and spread to the breast tissue should there be a break.
Another difference is in the surgical incision. With gummy bear implants, the surgeon needs to make a slightly longer incision to accommodate the teardrop shape of the implants.
Considerations to Make When Getting Gummy Bear Implants
Breast implants (silicone or saline) don’t last forever and will need removing or replacing every 10 to 15 years. Some breast implants last longer than others, but in the end, they’ll require replacing at some point. Talk to your plastic surgeon about this, so you know when to go for a replacement. Keeping breast implants for many years increases the risk of them leaking.
Technically, the risk of rupture and leakage when you have gummy bear implants is lower than silicone implants. However, when it does occur, it is harder to detect. If you get silicone or gummy bear implants, it’s vital that you get your implants checked with an MRI three years after placement and every two years after that. Regular MRI checks can help detect “silent leakage” or shell rupture that would otherwise not be easy to detect.
What are the Benefits of Gummy Bear Implants?
The main difference between traditional silicone gel implants and gummy bear gel implants is that there are more chemical connections in the gummy bear implants. The more connections, the firmer the gel. The main challenge with silicone is creating a gel that can hold its shape over time yet still look and feel natural. Gummy bear implants are more resistant to shape changes and offer various benefits like:
- The cohesive gel holds its teardrop shape, so it can potentially last longer than other implant types
- Gummy implants feel soft to the touch and more like a natural breast
- As the implant holds its shapes, there’s less chance of the implant rippling
- Less likely to result in capsular contracture and doesn’t leak
What is the Downside of Gummy Bear Implants?
Naturally, there are pros and cons to various breast implants. Gummy bear implants tend to be more expensive, but they potentially last longer. They also need a larger incision because the implants are firmer, so they need a bigger space to be inserted. Although the incision may need to be larger, the scarring will be underneath the breast and usually softens and fades over time.
Often, when it comes to breast implant shape, you can opt for either round, anatomical, or Ergonomix breast implants. Anatomical means shaped like a teardrop. The combination of the teardrop shape and the firm gel means that gummy bear implants help address shape issues and laxity concerns.
When choosing breast implants, you have a few factors to consider, like type, size, and shape. You don’t have to make these decisions alone. Your plastic surgeon will talk you through the options you have available. By speaking openly about the look you’re trying to achieve and your medical history, your surgeon will recommend the safest path for a great result.
What Should You Expect from Your Treatment?
Breast surgery to place gummy bear implants doesn’t differ significantly from traditional silicone implant surgery. The only difference is that the doctor must make a slightly larger incision when placing gummy bear implants. The incision helps accommodate the gummy bear implant’s lack of flexibility and is made on the underside of the breast.
Recovery is similar to that of other breast augmentation procedures. After your surgery, expect some swelling and discomfort for a few weeks. Usually, expect to take at least a week off work. Full recovery takes longer, and your doctor may approve you to resume strenuous activities after 6 to 8 weeks. However, recovery varies from one person to another.
Are Gummy Bear Breast Implants Right for You?
If you are considering breast surgery, you might be wondering if gummy breast implants are right for you. Every person’s body is different, and you also have your own vision for your new breasts. Your plastic surgeon will explain all your options and the type of implant that will give you the kind of shape, size, feel or appearance that matches your vision.
Ask to see gummy bear implants before and after photos to see the results you can expect. This will also help you go into the surgery room with realistic expectations.
Schedule a consultation today at our Harley Street Clinic, London, to discuss your options and begin your breast augmentation journey.
