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Should I Get Cohesive Gel Implants Outside of the US?

asked 2 years ago by Frann in Idaho
Latest answer by York Jay Yates, MD
Question viewed 2,742 times
Tags: Brazil, cohesive gel, gummy bear implants

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.

31 answers to Should I Get Cohesive Gel Implants Outside of the US?

+3

"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
Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.drkarenhorton.com

+2

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
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+1

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
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Andrew P. Trussler, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.drtrussler.com

+1

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
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

+1

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.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

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.
Navin K. Singh, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

www.WashingtonianPlasticSurgery.com

+1

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
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is no perfect implant for everyone...

As a consultant for MENTOR Worldwide, I have had the chance to experience firsthand the highly cohesive gel implants known as the CPG implants.  These implants are form stable (retain their shape without a shell) and are shaped as compared to the conventional round implants.  And while these implants have received a fair amount of press, they have their advantages and their disadvantages and are not appropriate for everyone. My personal feeling is that they will be most... more
Gregory A. Buford, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

The cohesive gel implants are not for everyone.

Just like any other tool or procedure, you have to choose the best option for each individual patient.  There is a lot of excitement right now about the form stable implants which are undergoing evaluation at several larger centers.  There are several questions that you need to ask yourself: 1. Do you want the implant because it is the "new thing" available and has some reported benefits compared to other implant. Please remember that with every benefit there is also... more
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Having cohesive gel implants in Brazil

Your question really deal with two separate issues: 1. Where to get cohesive gel implants (which, I believe you are referring to the "form stable" anatomic implants) 2. And the cost of cheaper surgery in another country. Because this is a confusing topic for most readers, I'll share a bit of the background on the implants. The form stable cohesive gel implants (Mentor CPG or Inamed 410) are essentially anatomically shaped silicone gel implants where the gel itself retains... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Using cohesive gel implants outside of the US.

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States because it can consistently change the breast of a woman and create a beautiful result. Here in the United States, we commonly have available saline implants and silicone gel implants. We are currently undergoing testing of the cohesive gel implants before they are made widely available. However, in other countries these cohesive gel implants may already be in use. To obtain a consistent and beautiful result,... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cohesive implants

Cohesive gel implants are available for use by all plastic surgeons in the US.  I presume that you mean, "form-stable" cohesive gel implants which have a firmer silicone gel and are being studied for safety and complication rates in the US, currently.  The biggest problem with leaving the country for surgery is follow up and dealing with potential complications which can be very costly. You have no legal standing with this type of physician and insuring their credentials... more
Dustin L. Reid, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation with cohesive silicone is done in United States

I know many excellent doctors in Brazil and personally would feel safe having surgery there.  However, you have to realize that if you have a complication, you are going to incur additional expenses that may be difficult to manage if your Brazilian surgeon is going to take care of you.  Unlikely to occur but something to consider.  More importantly, these implants are available in the United States through plastic surgeons who are participating in the FDA approved studies... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

+1

Cohesive gel is available in the United States.

Gel implants manufactured by Inamed or Mentor are cohesive.  They are easily available.  I would recommend that you have surgery by the surgeon you trust the most and have access to in the event of any post-operative problems.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants and Brazil

If you are planning to stay in Brazil for several weeks after surgery, it certainly seems reasoanable enough.  Find a doctor locally at home that you can follow-up with if you have problems. 
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gel Cohesive implants are great, but not much different than what is available in US

Gel cohesive implants are basically the same as the FDA approved implants which are on the market but the gel is a bit denser. I am a study investigator for these implants. The results are great but not enough different than the ones you can get here in the US. The most important thing is to be sure that when you have the implants placed the results by the surgeon are what you would like, There are many considerations with implants that are more important- is the technique going to... more
Kimberley O'Sullivan, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

osullivanplasticsurgery.com

+1

Cohesive gel breast implants

If you feel strongly about having cohesive gel implants and have the name of a reputable surgeon in Brazil (there are many), then go ahead and have them done there.  Make sure that you are able to stay for at least 10 days after surgery.  Unfortunately, these implants are still not available in the US, and we have no idea of when they will be approved for general use.  Good luck, /nsn.
Nina S. Naidu, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plastic surgery in Brazil

If you have family and friends in Brazil, and will have a great support system, and will be visiting there frequently for followup, it would seem that having your surgery there is quite reasonable.  If, however, you are referring to the shaped, "gummy bear" implants, I would caution you on the necessity of going out of your way.   These implants are useful for reconstruction, but largely un-necessary for augmentation. Studies have shown that the round gel implant assumes... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

All gel implants are cohesive not just "gummy bear"

There has been a lot of confusing terminology and a lot of debate about the various types of implants. For starters, all silicone gel implants sold in the U.S. are cohesive, which means that the gel holds together as a semi-solid. So you could slice them open and the gel doesn't flow out. The "gummy bear" implants, correctly called "form-stable" implants (Mentor CPG and Allergan Style 410) have a firmer gel gel so they can be molded into various shapes other than... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cohesive Gel Implants may not be all you want them to be

Hi there- Because of your heritage and what sounds like a strong family support system, you may be one of the few patients for whom it is safe to have surgery abroad... and there are some very good plastic surgeons in Brazil. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to have a breast implant complication after 30 days, and you need to consider what you would do if you did have a problem after your return to The States.... You may find you have a hard time finding a surgeon willing to take care... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

You can use gel implants in U.S

You are referring to the gummy bear mplants that are not available in U.S.These implant are more cohesive than the implants available here.There is not much advantage to the gummy bear implants except less rippling.The implants that avaiable now are safe and are cohesive( not as firm as gummy bear). The other issue is the travel to other countries for surgery and level of protection after surgery. Your implants have warrenty for ten years in u.s and also if there is concern post op, you have... more
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

"Gummy Bear" implants in Brazil

Since cohesive gel implants only benefit a small portion of patients, I would be concerned about how a doctor would determine if you are a good candidate before you actually travel down there. There is a very low chance of problems with breast implants right after surgery (like bleeding and infection) but the more common issues occur months or years down the road, like malposition and contracture. These are times when you want to be able to see your original surgeon. So if travel back to... more
John LoMonaco, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

+1

Gummy bear breast implants are good for only certain patients.

Hi. Your plan to have breast implants in Brazil sounds quite reasonable. But do not assume that gummy bear (super cohesive) reast implants are the bst choice for you.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation in Brazil

Brazil is a power house in Plastic Surgery. Many of its surgeons are members of our societies and lecture frequently at our meetings. If you KNOW who to go to there and can afford to stay there long enough until you are recovered, there is no reason why you should not do so. The trouble with medical tourism is picking an unknown surgeon based only on cost, going to a foreign place where you have no support system or knowledge of the culture making you totally dependent on others and not... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cohesive implants in the United States

Breast surgery requires a committment from both the surgeon and the patient.  Long term care and relationship is important.  The cohesive gel implants are available in the United States from Mentor and can be used safely without having to travel to another country.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cohesive gel implants outside of the US

Only if you feel you are safe and can recover adequately would I recommend you go to Brazil. I would also try an secure an at home plastic surgeon to render care just in case you have an issue after surgery. From MIAMI
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants in Brasilia

If you have friends and family that can refer you ro a qualified surgeon in Brazil, that may be an excellent option for you. Remaining for 3 weeks after surgery should be adequate time to allow for suuficient follow up.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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