Follow-Up: Rupture rate - Sientra vs Inspira Soft Touch? 5’4, 118lbs, 32C, mom of 2. Looking to go 300-355cc silicone moderate.

Question

Having my BA in November 2017. They are both comparable in feel and cohesiveness. My PS will typically chose the implant that works for the patient, but I really want to have an opinion about which brand is used. It’s my body after all and I have to live with it. He said he tends to use the Soft Touch more because it gives better results. However, I hear that sientra has the lowest rupture rate. I haven’t be be able to find any data on the new Inspira soft Touch.

David R. Stephens, MD · Answer

Hi flycm; It is important to consider that quoted failure rates come from limited patient studies that the manufacturers send to the FDA, and often the data is manipulated statistically to provide rates of events. Just look at any prescription package insert and you see that the information is highly technical and comes from limited clinical trials. Those are the quoted numbers. Even more bizarre, a Canadian study for their health regulator of American data on Mentor implants showed a failure rate of over 24 percent but we know that isn't the case in real life!! If you look at most failure rate studies among implants sold in the US, their failure rates are less than 10 percent over 10 years and all within 1 to 2 percent of each other. The companies even source their gel from the same supplier. It's like asking which is the better car, a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. It depends. We recommend MRI to asses failure at 5 and 10 years and then at 3 year intervals after 10 years as we don't have data after 10 years but it is going to climb. I do not recommend replacing implants at the 10 year anniversary as that would mean more than 90 percent of them would be okay and didn't need to be replaced. Implant quality control has improved substantially over the past 10 years so they are just not that much different from one another. Consider other important factors such as the firmness of the implants. BTW, there is NO data that implant firmness is correlated to less rippling when comparing implant softness and cohesiveness. Also, all implants sold are cohesive, some are just more cohesive or firmer than others. Firmness will cause more upper pole firmness and roundness in the round implant. Personally, if I were a woman I wouldn't want a gummy bear round implant as they are too firm and round. The "Soft-Touch has been a popular implant in Europe but they also like the shaped implants there. When I trained, we wanted the softest implants possible to best resemble natural breast tissue. There is less "wear and tear" on the tissue as well. Shaped implants are much softer from Sientra than the Allergan, "Gummy Bear", "Form Stable" implant. Equally if not more important, the amount and quality of your breast tissue, implant placement below muscle and how the breast interacts with the implant are important considerations to achieving a great, long lasting result.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The differences in rupture rates  is very small though long term numbers are not yet available for the Soft Touch specifically. There is no one type that is best for all patients; for example the cohesive "gummies" are very firm and ripple less but feel unnatural. The Soft Touch implants are slightly less firm but not as soft as first generation Inspira. Sientra implants have a good track record.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. In the end, the rupture rate for the two implants is probably roughly equivalent. A rate of 7% vs 8% for example does not really mean that much to you. Further, just because you choose the implant with the lowest rupture rate does not assure you that you will not have a rupture. I would choose the implant you feel meets your goals and not lose too much sleep over rupture rates.Hope this helps!

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

I would not be so concerned with the rupture rate, as the risk of rupture is so minimal.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Brian K. Brzowski, MD, FACS · Answer

I feel qualified as a high volume user of both these styles of implants to answer this question.  In fact, I'm working on my manuscript to get the experience I have published in our Plastic Surgery Journal so I can share this information with my colleagues.
Mostly, you won't notice very much difference between these devices besides a little wider range of profiles and volumes with the Inspira Soft Touch.  Contracture rates, rupture rates, etc are pretty equivalent overall.
 I do think they are very comparable when it comes to maintenance of upper pole volume (top of the breast), and smoothness (lack of rippling). My "on the table" feeling is that the Sientra Style 107 is a little bit softer because of the technology they use to attach the gel to the shell, allowing them to use a soft silicone gel.  However, neither of them feel hard.
These implants are the Goldilocks of breast implants - just about right for about 95% of patients.  You should really love whichever one you use.
It is most important that your surgeon be thoughtful and considerate of your goals, your anatomy, and precise in the execution of your surgery.  Choose wisely.
Best of luck.

Follow-Up: Rupture rate - Sientra vs Inspira Soft Touch? 5’4, 118lbs, 32C, mom of 2. Looking to go 300-355cc silicone moderate.

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant

Answer: Implant

Answer: Sientra Style 107=Natrelle Inspira Soft Touch, for the most part.

Answer: Sientra Style 107=Natrelle Inspira Soft Touch, for the most part.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sientra Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Follow-Up: Rupture rate - Sientra vs Inspira Soft Touch? 5’4, 118lbs, 32C, mom of 2. Looking to go 300-355cc silicone moderate.

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant

Answer: Implant

Answer: Sientra Style 107=Natrelle Inspira Soft Touch, for the most part.

Answer: Sientra Style 107=Natrelle Inspira Soft Touch, for the most part.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sientra Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.