The Mentor collection of breast implants is FDA-approved for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Mentor offers five types of breast implants: silicone-filled MemoryShape, MemoryGel, MemoryGel Xtra, or MemoryGel BOOST, as well as saline-filled implants.
Each option comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, projections (how far forward and wide they protrude from the chest), and surfaces (microtextured or smooth implants), to suit each patients’ body proportions and desired results.
Mentor MemoryShape, MemoryGel, and Memory Gel BOOST implants are recommended for reconstruction or augmentation patients who are at least 22 years old, while their saline breast implants are indicated for patients who are at least 18.Â
Related: 6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Breast Implants
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will discuss all of your options and help you visualize the result.
Pros
Cons
The price you pay will depend on:
During your consultation, ask for a detailed price estimate that includes all related costs, not just the surgeon's fee.
Breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons is not covered by health insurance, but at least a portion of the costs of breast reconstruction after cancer treatment is covered by insurance in the U.S.
The Mentor breast implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Mentor breast implants are some of the most studied medical devices in the history of the FDA and have the agency’s full approval. They are widely considered to be safe—when they’re placed by an experienced plastic surgeon.Â
However, all breast implants carry risks, some which may require re-operation to correct.
These are possible complications of undergoing breast implant surgery with Mentor breast implants:
Your surgeon should discuss these risks with you during your initial consultation, so you can make a fully informed decision.
As of April 1 2022, the FDA has received 1,130 reports of BIA-ALCL cancer world-wide, all linked to implants with textured shells. Just 67 of these patients (5.9%) had Mentor breast implants, and 1 of those patients died.
The Siltex “microtexture” used on the shells of Mentor MemoryShape implants is associated with a significantly lower risk of BIA-ALCL than “macrotextured” options like Allergan’s Biocell implants, which were removed from the market following a voluntary worldwide recall.Â
While the risk of BIA-ALCL is extremely low, it’s still important to be aware of it. So far, there have been no documented cases of BIA-ALCL in patients with smooth-shelled implants, so you may want to discuss with your surgeon whether a smooth-shelled implant would be a good option for you.
Mentor implants have not been recalled due to BIA-ALCL risk.Â
In October 2021, Mentor initiated a voluntary recall of its smooth, round saline diaphragm valve breast implants with expiration dates from January 01, 2025 to September 30, 2025.Â
According to the company, “a small number of devices, due to an issue involving specific equipment used during manufacturing, may have a potentially weakened area on the base patch portion of the shell where the Mentor logo and identification numbers are located. This may result in premature deflation for which replacement surgery may be needed.” Â
Since early 2022, Mentor saline implants have been fully back on the market without issues.
Mentor breast implants—like all breast implants—are technically not lifetime devices. Doctors on RealSelf say breast implants typically last about 10 to 20 years before patients pursue revision surgery or implant removal. However, if they’re not causing you problems, they don’t need to be removed or replaced after a certain period of time.
The FDA recommends having an MRI screening (or high-definition ultrasound, if you have no symptoms) five to six years after silicone gel-filled implants are placed and every two to three years thereafter. With the new generation of highly cohesive gel implants, ruptures are uncommon prior to that five-year mark.
Silicone gel breast implant rupture is less common than side effects like capsular contracture, but it’s still well worth monitoring for this risk.
Mentor (a Johnson & Johnson company) has a unique product replacement policy and comprehensive warranty program, the Mentor Promise Protection Plan, which covers all patients.
Mentor also offers an Enhanced Warranty, which can be activated by the patient within 45 days after surgery.
Updated September 11, 2023