Should I Get Cohesive Gel Implants Outside of the US?

I am originally from Brazil, and the doctors in BR told me that they use these implants for a long time and they are very comfortable working with them, the implants also cost less there. I live in Idaho, there are not doctors in my area conducting clinical studies. Should I go ahead and travel to BR? I can stay in BR for 20 or 30 days - Any advice is truly appreciated. I would prefer to have it done here in USA (closer) but can't find a doctor.

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Brazil cohesive gel gummy bear implants

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31 Doctor Answers | Asked by Frann in Idaho

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"Cohesive gel" silicone breast implants are awaiting FDA approval in the U.S.

Breast implants that are formed with a more solid form of silicone, known by some as "cohesive gel" implants or the "gummy bear" implant are not yet approved for implantation in the U.S. This is because the United States Food and Drug Administration has some of the strictest standards for medical devices in the world. I have used them during my training in Canada, and to be honest, I felt that they were not the most appropriate for the majority of women... more

Getting Breast Implants Outside the United States

The good news is that cohesive gel implants are now available in the United States and you need not go to another country to take advantage of these state of the art implants. Going to another country for plastic surgery can be problematic and may not be worth the monetary savings. Having a local doctor you can see for follow-up visits is important to be sure you get the best results from surgery. Seeing a doctor for follow up who did not perform the surgery is a... more

Travel for gummy bear implants

I would strongly recommend against traveling to Brazil for cohesive implants. The worst breast augmentation result I have ever seen was a revision augmentation a couple of weeks ago from Brazil. Poor planning, poor execution. The standards of physician qualification and safety are just not up to par with those in America. That said, I am not sure form stable cohesive gel implants will become popular for uncomplicated breast augmentation in the states. I... more

Cohesive or "Gummy Bear" Breast Implants are not FDA Approved in the United States: Be careful with medical tourism

Cohesive gel implants or "gummy bear" breast implants are not approved in by the FDA for use in the United States. These implants have been available around the world for the last 5 years, but the trials in the US have been prolonged secondary to possible implant complications. I would caution you to travel to another country to attain these implants without any proven advantage over silicone gel implants. The advantage of these cohesive gel implants may be in the breast... more

Cohesive Breast implants

Thankfully, cohesive implants are available here. There are plenty of great plastic surgeons both here and in Brazil I agree with your desire to stay in the US to do your surgery. The best reults will be achieved with adequate long term follow up. It will be more convenient to see your doctor when they are local. It is also important to find the physician that you like and trust. In the best case, you can find this where you live. Good luck!... more

Should I Get Cohesive Gel Implants Outside of the US?

Cohesive silicone gel implants (gummy bear breast implants ) are not currently approved by the FDA for use in the United States outside of experimental trials. These implants are available in many other countries, particularly South America and Europe, and are regarded by many of these surgeons as the ideal implant. In the USA there are currently several experimental trials being conducted by both Mentor and Natrelle for the use of these cohesive silicone... more

Cohesive gel implants

Breast augmentation with cohesive gel implants is available in the US, and both companies (Allergan and Mentor) should be able to provide you with the names of plastic surgeons who are permitted to use them in your area. Traveling abroad for surgery may be acceptable for the surgery, but any follow up or treatment for unforeseen complications will be difficult to obtain without return trips or additional expense.

Surgery outside of the country

If you choose to have surgery outside of the US, you will have difficulty receiving adequate follow up care. You can find a surgeon in the US who is involved with the clinical trials for the cohesive gel implants and this way ensure having good followup. Although it's tempting to have surgery out of the US, I can not advise this. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in the US regarding cohesive gel implants. Best wishes, Dr. Bruno... more

Caution for Surgical Safari's

I am always leary of recommending "surgical safari's." Even our FDA doesn't think there is enough evidence for this treatment to be safe, Plus, being far away from your treating surgeon and not being able to get access to care should an issue or complication arise, is not the right way to take care of your self. I recommend a US surgeon, in your geographic area.

Traveling for implants

I would recommend seeing a surgeon here in the US who participated in the clinical trials using the cohesive gel implants. While study enrollment has ended and you can't get that implant here in the US, at least you would get a solid opinion from a surgeon experienced with those implants. Not everyone needs or would particularly benefit from the cohesive gel implants, and it may be that another implant would suit you just fine. A surgeon with experience using both types of... more