Natrelle breast implants, manufactured by Allergan, are FDA-approved for breast augmentation and reconstruction.
Natrelle offers both saline implants and cohesive silicone gel implants. Compared to other types of silicone, this gummy-like gel sticks together and tends to retain its shape, which is why they’re often called gummy bear implants.
Natrelle breast implants come in a range of sizes, projections (how far forward from your chest wall the implant comes when you’re standing), and fills (the number of ccs the implant contains) to help you achieve your desired look.
Pros
Cons
The price you pay will depend on:
While breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons is not covered by health insurance, your insurance carrier is legally obligated to cover the breast reconstruction method of your choosing after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.
You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.
The Natrelle breast implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Natrelle Inspirasilicone gel implants are offered in three levels of cohesiveness. “The more cohesive the gel, the firmer the implant and the better it maintains its shape,” explains Dr. Daniel Butz, a plastic surgeon in Miquon, Wisconsin. “This provides more upper-pole fullness [at the top of the breast] and less potential for rippling.”
Most surgeons recommend silicone implants. “They have a few advantages over saline,” says Dr. Nancy de Kleer, a plastic surgeon in Oakville, Ontario. “If they break, they still hold together and don’t go completely flat. They have less chance of rippling than a saline implant does, and they often feel more natural.”
Smooth, round Natrelle saline implants are available in 55 sizes and three projection styles. Saline implants can be filled after they’re placed, so incisions and scars are smaller.
Ruptures are also more likely to be caught quickly, because it’s easier to see signs like a deflated breast, according to Dr. Jerome Edelstein, a plastic surgeon in Toronto, Ontario. They also offer peace of mind in that if they do rupture, the saline fluid is harmlessly absorbed by the body.
Other factors to weigh when choosing a breast implant include your body size, your desired breast size, and the amount of breast skin you have. Your plastic surgeon will discuss your goals with you before recommending the best implant options.
RealSelf Tip: When you’re considering breast implant surgery, most RealSelf doctors say that choosing the right plastic surgeon is more important than which company’s breast implants they use. In fact, many surgeons say they use all brands on a regular basis.
Natrelle implants used to be available with both textured and smooth surfaces. However, in July 2019, the FDA requested that Allergan withdraw and suspend sales of its textured implants—sold under the name Biocell—after an association was found between that surface and breast implant–associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare form of cancer of the immune system.
Biocelltextured breast implants had been implicated in 481 of the 573 confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL, which may not arise until years after the initial breast implant placement.
Shortly after the FDA's request, Allergan issued a worldwide recall of its Biocell textured products, including Natrelle silicone- and saline-filled implants, Natrelle Inspira implants, Natrelle 410 implants, the Natrelle 133 tissue expander, and the Natrelle 133 Plus tissue expander.
You can find the full list of recalled Natrelle products at the FDA's website.
Breast implants are some of the most studied medical devices, and FDA-approved implants, including Natrelle implants, undergo extensive testing for safety and effectiveness. However, growing patient concerns about breast implant risks and side effects have prompted FDA warnings.
Natrelle breast implants—like all breast implants—are not lifetime devices and may require revision surgery or implant removal if you experience complications or a malfunction like leaking, wrinkling, migration, or deflation as your implants age. Augmentation patients should expect regular maintenance and monitoring of their implants.
Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older, while saline implants are approved for women at least 18 years old. All implants are approved for breast reconstruction in women of any age.
Breast implant risks include:
Concern about the risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) prompted the FDA to request a worldwide recall of Natrelle’s Biocell silicone implants, which had a macro-textured surface designed to reduce complications like capsular contracture. Allergan complied with a worldwide recall in July 2019.
The recall did not affect Natrelle smooth or Microcell breast implants. According to recent research, micro-textured implants have a lower risk of capsular contracture. They also have not been associated with cases of BIA-ALCL.
Like all breast implants, Natrelle implants aren’t considered lifetime devices, but they do not have a specific lifespan. “I tell my patients that these implants typically last about 10 years, but certainly could have a much shorter or longer life,” says Dr. Ira Rex, a plastic surgeon in Fall River, Massachusetts. “I don’t recommend replacement after 10 years if the implant is serving the patient well. The cost and risks of reoperating, not to mention buying new implants, lead me to recommend vigilance for rupture but not automatic exchange of implants.”
Updated October 21, 2021