Gummy bear. Which company is the best?

The "gummy bear" implant is a catch term for the highly-cohesive, textured, anatomically-shaped silicone implant.  Each of the three companies that you listed are FDA approved in the U.S and have their own version of this implant.  There are subtle differences between the texturing as well as cohesiveness of the implant, but all are reputable companies.  Much of it is surgeon preference.  Best wishes!

Gummy bear is just a catch all phrase for any type of cohesive or new 5th generation silicone implant.  Three companies make them and they all have slightly different feels of gel and surrounding gel. The softest of the 3 types is Sientra.  I have found these to work in thin patients with little tissue.  (They even work well in mastectomy patients with no breast tissue.)  However, any implant is more visible, if the implant is too large.  So choosing the correct size and shape of implant is important.  Sientra has some nice shapes but there is some limitation for the larger sizes.  I imagine that if you are narrow chested, then you may not need too large of an implant.  A 3D imaging system, like Crisalix, is nice to visualize what you may look like after augmentation.  Make sure to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience with these devices.  Good luck!

Thank you very much for your question.  All three manufacturers are reputable and have good data to support the effectiveness and safety of their devices. There are some small differences between the companies that they use to try to distinguish themselves from each other, but most surgeons don't feel like there is a major difference.  We have preferences about what we use but you will hear arguments on each side.  Most surgeons will choose an implant that fits the patient's needs best despite the manufacturer.  If there is a good reason to use a particular implant, most experienced surgeons will make the choice of the implant that is best for the patient in their own hands.   Discuss this matter further with your surgeon.

As a co-investigator for Allergan, member of clinical advisory panels for Allergan (NOVO) and Sientra, as well as being a certified user of gel implants for Mentor, I can say what is known.  Sientra as their full line of implants which are all highly cohesive gel implants available. Allergan has 4 models of 12 approved, Mentor has 1. Allergan and Mentor source their silicone gel from the same company, only Sientra source theirs from a similar company, but has unique properties related to its compounding.  After 10 years and over 700 of these implants placed, I have seen double capsules in only Allergan, none in Mentor or Sientra. No deflations have been seen, nor contractures in breast augmentation procedures.  No noted ALCL cases in these patients either. As a member of the most recent supplement for plastic surgeons regarding these gummy bear implants, in my opinion, Sientra provides a one breast feel, soft, strong, with the best warranty (both contracture and deflation), and selection that is available today.

It is very difficult to say which implant company is the best.  There are very small differences between the companies.  Sientra will give you an additional 2 year warranty for capsular contracture with the textured implants. I would go with the implant that is recommended by your surgeon.

They are three companies who have FDA approved cohesive gel shaped breast implants. In my practice, while all three are available I find Sientra implants to fit most patients needs better in terms of projection, naturally enhancement and final outcome. Moreover, their warranty is better than the other two manufacturers offering a lifetime warranty. You need to be examined and undergo 3-D imaging to simulate your postoperative I come with different size and shape implants. 

If you are skinny, gummy bear implants may not be the best for you. All the newer implants are more cohesive, the gummy bear for me are too firm. Discuss your options with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Each company that supplies the cohesive gel shaped implants is reputable and reliable. There are subtle differences in the texturing of the shell, shell thickness and thickness of the gel. There are also different sizes and shapes. When I am trying to pick the appropriate implant I take all of this into consideration along with what the patient and I are trying to achieve and what anatomy the patient has. If I have all options open to me I would probably pick Sientra because the shell-gel interaction, the texturing and the softness of the gel.

All three manufacturers are highly reputable.  Every surgeon has individual preferences but it is honestly like Coke v. Pepsi.  Sientra is the new kid on the block so we have had much less experience in dealing with the company in terms of warranties, etc. The key is that the implants are purchased from the manufacturer and not on the gray market.