The surgeon switch from mentor to sientra implants. What are the differences and pros & cons of mentor vs sientra?

Hello and thank you for your question.I have experience with all three implant manufacturers in the United States (Mentor, Natrelle and Sientra) and I can say that they are all high quality and yield great results.  Most surgeons develop a personal preference over time for a number of reasons including availability, manufacturer representative relationship, hospital stock, personal experience, etc.    You're right that only board certified or board eligible plastic surgeons have access to Sientra implants.  We choose different volumes, textures and shapes of implants based on characteristics specific to you.  But the truth is that the "brand" of implant chosen will ultimately not make much difference for you.  What's most important is that you are being treated by an experienced plastic surgeon who can deliver the results you desire.  Best of luck to you,Ruth Celestin, MD

Thank you for your question!  There are some similarities between Mentor and Sientra
implants. However, I feel that overall Sientra has more advantages. I have used
all three companies’ implants and have used Mentor implants for many years.
However, I have switched to primarily Sientra at this point. With regards to
smooth implants, the Sientra implants have a more cohesive gel than Mentor’s
implants so for this reason I like them better, although, the difference is not
as noticeable with the smooth implants as it is with textured implants. I use
primarily textured implants these days because of a lower risk for implant
migration, lower risk for capsular contracture and the fact that patients do
not have to do breast massage after augmentation with textured implants. The
texturing varies dramatically between the three companies and I feel Sientra’s
texturing is overall the best as it has enough friction that it stays in
position, but not excessive adherence where it feels fixed to the chest wall.
In addition, the implants have a more form-stable gel. However, the gel is
still very soft and the shell of the implant still has a very thin seal despite
the fact that it is textured. As a result, I think these implants, in my
opinion, are the best on the market and I tend to use textured silicone
implants in the majority of my patients.

Many surgeons are switching
from Mentor or Allergan implants to Sientra implants for a variety of reasons.
The Sientra Corporation Silimed silicone gel highly cohesive implants are more
cohesive than traditional silicone implants, and they have an impressive
success rate in regards to decreased chance of gel leakage, reduced risk of
capsular contracture formation and decreased rates of rippling. Sientra
implants also come with a 2-year warranty offering free implant replacement to
any woman who develops a grade 3 or 4 capsular contracture within 2 years of
her augmentation. Sientra implants are also only available to board certified
plastic surgeons, ensuring the highest quality results. While similar results
can be achieved no matter which brand you choose, many surgeons opt to use
Sientra implants for these factors.

Thanks for your question. Both companies make excellent implants and their safety records are well-established. Sientra is sometimes described as a "new" option, but these implants have been used abroad for more than 30 years. Sientra and Mentor products are similar, but of the highly cohesive or "gummy bear" style implants, Sientra offers the only round option. I also like Sientra's assortment of bases, shapes, and projections, because it helps to create a truly custom result. As other doctors have mentioned, they are also the only company that currently offers a warranty that covers implant replacement in cases of capsular contracture. Studies have indicated a lower instance of capsular contracture with the Sientra implants. That said, Mentor makes an excellent product as well, and a skilled plastic surgeon will create beautiful results with whatever "tools" he or she feels work best. It sounds like you're doing your homework, and that's a good sign that you'll have a great outcome. The fact that your doctor is doing his best to offer a variety of options is also a good sign. Best of luck to you!

Hi.  These two companies both make excellent implants, and I use both of them in my practice.The Mentor smooth round "MemoryGel" implant has the advantage of a soft feel, that many women like.The Sientra textured round implant had a lower capsule rate in the study by Stevens that was published in PRS in Nov 2013.  Both gels are relatively cohesive.Both companies have similar warranties when it comes to implant leakage.  Sientra also has a capsule warranty, which is good for the first 2 years only.Both devices are very good.  I have no problem recommending either one.

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.

I have experience with all three implant
manufacturers in the United States (Mentor, Natrelle and Sientra) and I can say
that they are all high quality implants that yield great results. Most surgeons develop a personal preference
over time for a number of reasons including availability, manufacturer
representative relationship, hospital stock, personal experience, etc. You are correct that only board certified or
board eligible plastic surgeons have access to Sientra implants. I determine the volume, texture and shape of the
implant tailored to the characteristics that you desire for your overall look. However, the "brand" of implant will
ultimately not play a large part in your satisfaction post surgery. The most important factor that you need to
consider is that you are being treated by an experienced board certified plastic
surgeon who can deliver the results you desire.

I have surgical   experience with all three implant manufacturers in the United States (Mentor, Natrelle and Sientra)  They are all high quality and yield great results. I switched full time to Sientra Highly cohesive gel, Generaton 5, tru gummy bear implants over 2 years ago and 120 patients have undergone Sientra implants with wonderful results.  My reasons are as follows: Sientra makes the ONLY round Implant in both smooth and textured wall both the High Profile and Moderate Plus versions, the implants have less wrinkles than the older Gen 4 implants, and both HP and MP products give a more permanent superior quadrant upper pole fullness that patients desire.I still use the periareolar subpectoral approach with help of the Keller funnel.  These implants make perfect sense when doing a combination augmentation/mastopexy in patients that are prone to post op recurrence of Ptosis or sagging after a few years.  The shaped gel allows for less pressure in the bottom of the  pocket and allows for a longer lasting sillohette.

Due to my experience  of many, many years with SIENTRA (Silimed) implants  I can assure you this implants have  very good statistics with very low complications as Capsular Contraction or downshift, results are great and appearance is very natural when placed under the pectoral muscle.

Both manufacturers make excellent implants. Sientra offers an additional warranty that Mentor does not. This warranty deals with capsular contracture . If your Sientra implant develops a capsular contracture in the first 2 years they will replace your implant. The other manufacturers do not have warranties for capsular contracture. This tells us that they are very confident with their implants low cap con rates.