Do Sientra textured anatomical implants feel nice?

Question

I’ve heard that gummy bear implants are too firm to touch. My plastic surgeon that I am considering will only use these on me but do they feel natural to touch? Do they feel too firm? How do they feel to touch compared to saline? I know regular silicone get would be best if looking for natural feel but my surgeon says he would not use it for me. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

John J. O'Brien, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. In my opinion these implants have a slightly firmer feel that a round cohesive silicone gel implant. We will utilize them in certain circumstances. There are many factors that determine what implant would be the best choice for you including your goals and expectations. If these implants are placed in the correct patient they will feel very soft and natural. This is something you should discuss with her treating physician. See out a qualified board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in breast procedures. Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear 11th84,thats a great question I get in the office all of the time.  Gummy bear implants are actually silicone implants but are a more cohesive type of silicone, kinda like a gummy bear.
Imagine cutting a gummy bear in half, nothing runs out of it, that is basically the same concept.  There are shaped and round gummy bear implants, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. The important step is to find a plastic surgeon that can discuss with you which implant is right for you.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Much will depend on how you define "feel nice". In my opinion, the true "gummy bear" breast implants are firmer than the round cohesive silicone gel breast implants most commonly utilized.  My best advice: make sure that you see and feel all the different types of silicone gel breast implants available to you, prior to making any decisions. If necessary, seek a few more in-person consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes.

Michael Suzman, MD · Answer

The Sientra anatomic shaped implants are very natural feeling and hold their shape wellMy patients have been extremely happy with themSaline or smooth round implants can also work well, though saline can be more firm or feel less natural in thinner patientsThe shaped implants can really help in those patients who want a very natural look- as the top part has a more gentle slope than round implantsMany studies show a lower rate of capsule contracture, or tightening of the breast tissues over the implantTalk with an experiences surgeon about the pluses and minuses of the different implant types

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have ptotic breasts and you are trying to avoid a breast lift, one option is to use a high profile anatomic implant that will fill out that loose skin below the nipple. I have done this a few times and now am more aggressive about pushing the lift as the results are better. You are correct in that the Sientra anatomic implant is very stiff compared to both saline and round silicone implants. They feel very stiff and unnatural immediately post op and tend to soften over time. In my experience it takes ~6 months for them to soften fully. I love gummy bear implants but much prefer the round ones like the Sientra 107 implant. The anatomic implants do not give much upper pole fullness and even patients who tell me I want to look "natural" will show me wish photos with the round augmented look with upper pole fullness.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

I would find another surgeon that would take the time to explain everything to me that I desire.  Smooth rounds are great implants and produce excellent outcomes, as do textured anatomic implants.  Surgeons should be able to offer all options, discuss the pros and cons, and let the patient decide on what is best for her.  Textured implants are not supposed to slide sideways when on your back and they do not produce the excessive cleavage with push up bras as smooth round implants will.  But your decision should be based on more than just that or the surgeon only providing one option for you.

Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD · Answer

Sientra anatomic implants contain highly cohesive (gummy bear) silicone gel.  This gel is form-stable so that it resists shape change in order to maintain that teardrop shape.  If cut in half, it will maintain its shape as two separate halves rather than spilling out like older silicone gels, which is an advantage in regard to ruptures.  The greater cohesivity adds a slight amount of firmness, but this firmness is typically not distinguishable from moderately cohesive silicone gel under the breast tissues in most patients and creates a more attractive breast shape in many patients.  The form-stable gel resists rippling and creates a more natural appearance.  I do not find them to be "too firm" to touch, and they feel much more natural than saline, which is essentially a bag of salt water.  
The highly cohesive gel in the Sientra anatomic implant is the softest of the anatomic implants on the market.  The Allergan (Natrelle) 410 anatomic implant has the firmest gel with the greatest cohesivity.  The Mentor MemoryShape anatomic implant is in the middle between Sientra and Allergan's implants in regard to firmness and cohesivity.  I would recommend asking your surgeon to feel a sample Sientra anatomic implant in the office.  This will give you a chance to be sure that you like the way they feel before surgery.
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

I have used well over a thousand and have published our 10 year results.  We have been very happy with them and so have our patients.  I have never heard a patient tell never that they are too hard.  (Unless they developed a capsular contracture which has occurred approximately 2 percent of the time). Good luck!

Do Sientra textured anatomical implants feel nice?

Answers (8)

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