What's the difference between HSC and HSC+ gel filling of the Sientra implant? Online demos seem to be of textured shaped ones

Question

On the Sientra site, it says that the shaped textured impl. are filled with HSC+ gel and round(textured and smooth) filled with HSC gel. So my question is, What's the difference between HSC and HSC+? is one more cohesive than the other? Seeing as I'm considering round smooth, how does the Sientra HSC filling compare to Natrelle style 15 gel filling? How do the outer shells on both these implants compare? which is stronger? Is silicone seepage to be expected from either of these implants' shells?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question.  The Sientra shaped implants are filled with HSC+ gel, which is slightly more cohesive than the round Sientra implants.  I feel that the Sientra implants, both styles, are slightly more cohesive than Natrelle, i.e. they are a little more "gummy" feeling.  Choosing between the two is largely up to patient preference, guided by the information supplied by your plastic surgeon.  Both outer shells are similar, and current silicone implants are all very resistant to silicone seepage due to the cohesiveness of the gel.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The term "cohesive" means that the gel holds together as a semi-solid, so more cohesive doesn't necessarily mean better or safer. Shaped implants have a higher degree of cohesivity because they have to be firmer in order to hold the shape. Softer gels are used in round implants and may feel more natural. I use shaped implants (also called form-stable) in about 15% of cases where the patient's anatomy is such that this type of implant fits better.

John A. Millard, MD, FACS · Answer

The difference between the Sientra High-Strength Cohesive (HSC) vs. HSC Plus are that in the textured and especially, because they are shaped, the "Plus" means that they are little stiffer (harder) than the regular HSC.  This is to help them maintain there shape!

Brian Windle, MD (retired) · Answer

Sientra breast implants hace two types of highly cohesive silicone gel in them.  The regular or HSC and the HSC+  The HSC+ is more cohesive and is used in all of Sientra's shaped products.  In other words, the HSC+ is more gummy bear like.  It is designed to hold its shape better and will have less rippling than the round or HSC.  It does not come in a smooth, only a textured.  The textured implant has been shown to have a lower capsule contracture rate than the smooth implants.  Medical research hs shown the Sientra implants to be the strongest implant on the market.I hope that helps.Best regards.

Thomas C. Wiener, MD (retired) · Answer

The modern silicone breast implant is a cohesive gel. Sientra currently has the most cohesive gel round, smooth implant available on the market. This is called the HSC+ or the style 107 implant. The potential advantage is that in a standing position, the style 107 fights gravity a bit better and can maintain the most fullness possible in the upper breast above the nipple.

What's the difference between HSC and HSC+ gel filling of the Sientra implant? Online demos seem to be of textured shaped ones

Answers (6)