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The 4 breast implant types

By Angiemcc on 20 Jan 2012

You're interested in breast implants but don't know what to choose? Here's a list of the 4 main types of implants available (with gummy bear implants still in clinical trial stages).

Saline Saline-filled implants have a silicone shell and are filled to the desired size by the surgeon. They are generally less expensive and firmer than silicone, but can cause more rippling in the skin. If the implants leak, the saline is absorbed into your body.

Silcone Silicone implants are preferred by most surgeons and women. They are more expensive, but are softer and many people think they feel more natural than saline. Incisions made to place silicone implants are usually larger and women have to be at least 22-years-old to get silicone filled implants. If silicone implants rupture or leak, they require more surgery to remove. Though they were re-approved by the FDA in 2006, there is still some controversy surrounding their safety.

MemoryGel MemoryGel is a brand name silicone implant made by Mentor. MemoryGel implants come round or contoured (anatomically shaped). They are a proprietary cohesive gel that, according the Mentor website, "acts as a unit rather than a liquid, and holds together uniformly."

Gummy Bear Gummy bear implants have recently been approved by the FDA. They are made of firmer silicone formula similar in texture to gummy bears. Gummy bear implants seem to retain their shape well and can be formed into a teardrop that conforms more naturally to a woman's body.

Comments (2)

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Makenzie (Community Manager) 7 Feb 2012

I just got silicone, and feel really confident about my decision. My doctor worked with the FDA during their re-approval and continual monitoring and trials. But, some women are just more comfortable with the saline and I can completely understand why. I had a hard time deciding for a while... but the silicone just felt so much better!

I've heard gummy bears are pretty hard to the touch...

I am personally looking forward to the "Ideal Implant"!

Grant Stevens, MD 16 May 2012
Here is a study I published on the Silimed- Sientra Highly Cohesive Gummy Bear Implants. http://aes.sagepub.com/content/30/5/693 They performed well and I have now implanted over 900 of them. They have the lowest complication rates I have ever seen in the 30 years that I have done breast augmentation. They are soft, can be put through the nipple of the fold easily. Check them out! Oh yea, only Real Plastic Surgeons can buy them and use them. About time a company protect the patients!
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