Do Highly Cohesive Implants Feel Natural on the Inside and from the Outside of Your Body? Mentor vs. Natrelle vs. Sientra

Thank you for your question.  This is a very common question that patients ask.  If you go to your plastic surgeon's office and feel the various implants, you will notice that the shaped highly cohesive implants are slightly firmer to the touch.  This is necessary because the gel has to hold it's shape and create the tear drop appearance to the implant. When placed under the breast, these implants feel very natural.  The more native breast tissue you have to "hide" the implant, the less noticeable this difference between implant is.  These shaped implants really make a difference in women with a long chest who desire a fuller look at the upper part of the breast, but they can be used in anyone.  As long as a proper width for the implant is selected based on the width of your breast, there is a relatively low risk of being able to feel the implant edges.  

Hope this helps.

Good luck

 

Hi Novomamma,Yes the "shaped" (aka anatomical) implants are slightly firmer. I already know you are
seeing a board certified plastic surgeon because Sientra only sells to BC
plastic surgeons (by ABPS - The American Board of Plastic Surgery)
who are members of ASAPS (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery) and or a member of ASPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons). So that is great!  All the best, "Dr. Joe"

The highly cohesive implants give great results visually but definitely feel firmer than the regular silicone implants.  They have to be firmer in order to hold the shape.

The Sientra implants, when placed retro-pectoral, look and feel natural and are less likely to ripple.  The edges are not palpable and patients are comfortable with them.  Patients have problems with implants when physicians place larger implants then they can accommodate.  This results in inferior and lateral extrusion of the implant below the edge of the pectoralis major muscle, which results in rippling and palpable edges.  Unfortunately, you have not provided any photographs but you may require a simultaneous lift to allow the implant to be placed totally sub-pectoral.  There is a new technique called Breast Augmentation with Mini Ultimate Breast Lift.  Using only a circumareola incision it is possible to place the implant, reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Aligning the areola, breast tissue and implant over the bony prominence of the chest wall gives maximum anterior projection with a minimal size implant.  In the retro-pectoral position, the implant profile is irrelevant since the muscle compresses it.    

 

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Speaking from my own personal experience with these implants - assuming you are a good candidate for form stable implants, cosmetic results can be excellent. I have found the Sientra line to be softer with more projection than the Allergan line.