I am planning to exchange my smooth shell saline implants (550cc overfilled to 600cc) with Sientra HSC+ round textured implants. I'm specifically interested in how textured implants have the ability to better stay in place. Will I get the benefit of textured implants by reusing the same pocket?
Answer: Switching from smooth to textured implants Hi and thank you for the question. I don't think this plan is going to help you for two reasons. First, the texture on the Sientra and Mentor implants isn't very aggressive. So it doesn't allow those implants to stick as well to the capsule. The Allergan texture was the most aggressive, but it causes ALCL in a small percentage of patient and is no longer used. The other issue is the implant size. A 600 cc implant weighs about 1.5 pounds. That weight combined with minimally textured devices doesn't do much for implant position stability. All that being said, there is nothing at all wrong with switching from smooth to textured. If you go through with it, I would remove the existing capsule - if you just place a textured device into a mature capsule it will not stick. Best of luck to you.
Helpful
Answer: Switching from smooth to textured implants Hi and thank you for the question. I don't think this plan is going to help you for two reasons. First, the texture on the Sientra and Mentor implants isn't very aggressive. So it doesn't allow those implants to stick as well to the capsule. The Allergan texture was the most aggressive, but it causes ALCL in a small percentage of patient and is no longer used. The other issue is the implant size. A 600 cc implant weighs about 1.5 pounds. That weight combined with minimally textured devices doesn't do much for implant position stability. All that being said, there is nothing at all wrong with switching from smooth to textured. If you go through with it, I would remove the existing capsule - if you just place a textured device into a mature capsule it will not stick. Best of luck to you.
Helpful
April 15, 2020
Answer: Textured implants are a potential problem I would obtain a second opinion. Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been associated with textured breast implants. This is a very rare cancer that develops from a type of White Blood Cell (lymphocyte). It starts in the implant capsule and can spread throughout the body. Treatment is surgery + - chemotherapy and some people have died from it.The implants implicated were manufactured by Allergan, and have been removed from the marketplace. The implants you have mentioned are made by Sientra, not Allergan, but I personally would not place ANY textured implants at this time. The potential risk is just too high.Remove and replace procedures are common, especially swapping from saline to smooth silicone gel. The same incision can usually be used and all the stretching and pulling of tissues that occurred from the first procedure has already happened. It is an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery. Always consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs these procedures frequently to assure the best possible result.Good Luck!
Helpful
April 15, 2020
Answer: Textured implants are a potential problem I would obtain a second opinion. Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been associated with textured breast implants. This is a very rare cancer that develops from a type of White Blood Cell (lymphocyte). It starts in the implant capsule and can spread throughout the body. Treatment is surgery + - chemotherapy and some people have died from it.The implants implicated were manufactured by Allergan, and have been removed from the marketplace. The implants you have mentioned are made by Sientra, not Allergan, but I personally would not place ANY textured implants at this time. The potential risk is just too high.Remove and replace procedures are common, especially swapping from saline to smooth silicone gel. The same incision can usually be used and all the stretching and pulling of tissues that occurred from the first procedure has already happened. It is an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery. Always consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs these procedures frequently to assure the best possible result.Good Luck!
Helpful
