ALLERGAN vs, SIENTRA? (photo)

All three breast implant manufacturers make great products with cohesive gel. There are differences, but they are truly subtle, and much less important the the skill and technique of the surgeon. We can talk all day about the details that make them different, but it's a bit like talking pickup trucks--there are the Chevy Silverado folks who are rabid about Chevy trucks, and there are Ford F-150 folks, equally vociferous about the qualities of the Ford. Let's not forget the Dodge RAM crowd.But at the end of the day, truly, the driver is the most important factor, and all 3 trucks will get your shed to the top of the hill!Perhaps I've said enough--not to demean your question at all, but you are focusing on the wrong thing IMHO. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Hi Natnash,Yes both companies make implants that are cohesive that are not teardrop shaped, but Sientra, based on studies, is thicker, meaning more cohesive. All the best, "Dr. Joe"

By choosing a round vs a shaped implant gives you the options of both  smooth and textured implants from both manufacturers that are both cohesive silicone gels. The form stable anatomic or tear dropped are the most cohesive and Sientra has a high strength gel with excellent gel to shell bonding in this type. My preference is to use  Sientra implants, however differences are relatively small and you'll be fine with either one, esp if that's your surgeon's preference.

Sientra, Allergan and Mentor all make round cohesive implants. The more cohesive the implant the more "gummy bear" like they are meaning that they retain shape and less likely to leak. Sientra has the most cohesive implants on the market.My experience is that both Mentor (made by J&J) and Natrelle implants (made by Allergan) are excellent implants with ethical back up from their parent companies. That is all that has been available in the USA until now. Starting in 2012, patients will have another option for silicone breast implants from another solid company. Silimed. Competition is always great for patients. Patients can choose an implant from Sientra (Silimed) a world leader in breast implant (and other silicone implants). Prospective breast augmentation patients should now be aware that the FDA has approved a new silicone gel-filled breast implant made by Sientra, Inc. Being FDA approved means it is a safe product equal to the standard for Natrelle and Mentor. The Biggest Difference which was just announced by Sientra at the American Aesthetic Meeting in Vancouver May 2012, is that they will only be sold to Board Eligible or Board Certified Plastic Surgery.This is not true for Allergan or Mentor who sell their products to anyone, whether trained or not. This is a great safety factor for patients and for that reason I have switched to Sientra implants for the majority of my patients. Sientra is also the only implant company to have a replacement warranty against capsular contracture if their textured implants are used.

Based on the "wish" picture you show, I would recommend you choose a standard round implant and not a shaped implant.  Both Allergan and Sientra have round silicone implants that are safe and effective.Good luck,Trey Aquadro, M.D.