Hi! I still have my tissue expanders in since July 1st. I should be having my second stage surgery in April. I wanted my silicone implants to be teardrop shape to achieve a more natural look. But was very disappointed when my plastic surgeon told me they eliminated this type of implant and no longer use them because they are no longer being allowed or used because of complications. Is this true? I am concerned about having my chest lol empty at top.
November 10, 2020
Answer: Are teardrop silicone shape implants no longer allowed to be used in reconstruction surgery? Thank you for your great question. This is a common misconception about implants in the US. Once specific manufacturer, Allergan, withdrew their shaped textured implants from the market due to BIA-ALCL. Even in these implants, the risk of ALCL is low, about 1 in 3,000 patients. The two other major manufacturers, Mentor and Sientra, both still have shaped, textured implants on the market and available for both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. The risk of ALCL with these implants is much lower, but still not zero, about 1 in 50,000, to 1 in over 200,000, depending on reports. That being said, I think there is still tremendous value in these implants for the right patient and use them frequently in reconstructive surgery and even occasionally in cosmetic cases where appropriate. Make sure you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon with implant experience and knowledge about the facts!
Helpful
November 10, 2020
Answer: Are teardrop silicone shape implants no longer allowed to be used in reconstruction surgery? Thank you for your great question. This is a common misconception about implants in the US. Once specific manufacturer, Allergan, withdrew their shaped textured implants from the market due to BIA-ALCL. Even in these implants, the risk of ALCL is low, about 1 in 3,000 patients. The two other major manufacturers, Mentor and Sientra, both still have shaped, textured implants on the market and available for both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. The risk of ALCL with these implants is much lower, but still not zero, about 1 in 50,000, to 1 in over 200,000, depending on reports. That being said, I think there is still tremendous value in these implants for the right patient and use them frequently in reconstructive surgery and even occasionally in cosmetic cases where appropriate. Make sure you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon with implant experience and knowledge about the facts!
Helpful
