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Regular Silicone or Cohesive Gel Implants for Tuberous Breasts?

asked 2 years ago by Brooke25 in Los Angeles, ca
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,045 times
Tags: silicone implant, cohesive gel, tuberous

I am a 34A with a mild case of tuberous breast. I would like to get breast augmentation and become a 34C, however, I am having difficulty in deciding whether I should get regular silicone or the cohesive gel (gummy bear) breast implants. The only reason I am hesitating in getting the gummy bears is that they will feel firm and unnatural. Do you think I can get good results with a regular silicone implant?

13 answers to Regular Silicone or Cohesive Gel Implants for Tuberous Breasts?

Treatment of tuberous breasts

It is absolutely correct to focus on the surgeon performing the procedure, not the type of implant used. The main components of a tuberous breast are a tight lower pole, puffy nipple-areolar complexes and breast drooping, and in many cases asymmetry. All require a specific plan to fix. An implant alone will not, in my opinion, address all 4 of those problems. It may be a combination of breast lifts, implant placement, and modification of breast shape. The repurcussions of nipple-areolar... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Type of Breast Implants for Tuberous Breast

In regards to tuberous ( constricted) breasts, implants can be very helpful when used appropriately during the surgical procedure. At this time, the "Gummy Bear" implants are not FDA approved. The cohesive silicone gel breast implants that are currently FDA approved, in my opinion, give a very nice result to patients with tuberous breasts. In general, tuberous breasts have a very narrow base, short distance from areola to inframammary fold, tight (constricted) lower... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Form stable implants define a shape, gel implants enhance it.

You bring up several important questions. Since "gummy bear" implants have a defined shape, does your breast match that shape or will it require a lift to create the look. Cohesive gel implants are firm. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It depends on he rest of your breast. Having used cohesive implants, I can say that they are very good but require preoperative planning to a greater degree than conventional gel implants. The big question here is whether you need a lift and... more

Peter D. Geldner, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.mygeldnercenter.com

Good surgical technique is crucial to correct tuberous breast with breast implants

Most important is the technique and skill of your surgeon for correcting a tuberous breast. There are adhesive bands within the breast tissue that tighten and constrict the breast. These must be released if the implant is going to stretch and conform the overlying breast to a more natural shape. In severe cases I use soft tissue expanders to stretch the breast into a natural shape. Be sure to see an expert breast plastic surgeon.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Regular cohesive gel implants for tuberous breasts

THE key in your case is to shape the tight breast envelope which needs to spread out and nicely cover the underlying implants. The so called gummy bear implants are not widely available and in my opinion are way over-hyped for the stiff "done" breasts they produce. I would definitely vote for regular cohesive gel implants. Good Luck.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

All implant choices can work well to correct a tuberous breast

A tuberous shape breast is fairly uncommon though we continue to receive many questions about the condition. The term is rather unfortunate and I wish we had a better one as the breast is not exactly the shape of a fleshy root. The typical shape includes tight skin, especially in the lower half of the breast, and the nipple and areola can protrude referred to as a 'herniation'. The breast otherwise works and feels as any other breast and will support breast feeding. The solution to... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Cohesive gel or silicone gel implants for tuberous deformity

To choose a cohesive gel implant over a traditional silicone gel implant for a tuberous breast deformity is really dependent upon your personal choices. The tuberous breast deformity has to be treated with a number of different techniques. Your preference for the implant depends upon you.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Round smooth "regular" silicone for tuberous OR gummy bear

Cohesive (form stable "gummy bear:") implants are not generally available for use at this time. All silicone implants are currently cohesive to some degree. I prefer (my opinion) the latter due to a more consistent overall shape and better ability to acheive symmetry which are more difficult with "tear drop" shaped implants that can rotate.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Regular silicone vs gummy bear implants

The main issue that will determine how you like your result is how well the correction of your tubular deformity goes. Not the kind of implant. So, you are focusing on the wrong issue here. Just go with the regular silicone gels and find a surgeon who has a lot of experience with tubular patients and can show you many photos of them where you like the result.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants for tuberous breasts

Either one will give you a good result. Regular silicone implants can conform to your natural breast shape and this may give you a great result. With tuberous breasts, it's important to release some of the dermis around the areola in order for the breast to spread out naturally with the augmentation. However, with the gummy bears or regular silicone, you should be in great shape. Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

Why use cohesive?

At the present time, cohesive are only released to a few plastic surgeons for "reconstructive" breast surgery. In my mind tuberous breast enhancement is not reconstructive. Silicone works well in my hands.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

What type of implants with tuberous breast correction

Uberous breast surgery the lower breast tissue has to be thinned to allow the implant to round out the lower breasts. This being the case I would feel a silicone implant would be more natural feeling through your tissues. This is a matter of personal preference on your part so I would discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Chances are you will not be offered the "gummy bear" implant because it is not yet FDA-approved. You will will be offered the current FDA-approved... more

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Ther is another option

Tuberous breasts are a difficult problem. We have fantastic sucess with tuberous breast using silicone gel implants such as the Memory Gel from Mentor. They are not near as firm as the "gummy bear" implants are are completely safe. I recommend talking to your doctor about using the softer type of silicone implant. I hope this helps.