Would you recommend gummy bear (or any implants) to a person with a formaldahyde allergy?

Question

I have an allergy to formaldahyde. I only get exzema when exposed. I would like to have gummy bear implants but am nervous of the risks involved (body rejecting them) since I have read on many sites that all implants have formaldahyde in them. I would like to have a full TT with BA.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Canadian,   As far as I know, there is no Formaldehyde in any of the silicone or saline implants. Many years ago, in the evolution of breasts augmentation, Formaldehyde sponge was one of the many materials used. Obviously, it is not in use anymore. As far as 'gummy bear' implants I would like you to reconsider it for saline implants for the following reasons : 1. Saline implants cost much less. 2. Gummy bear have unnatural hardness to them . 3. Gummy bear implants have to be inserted through long incision in the IMF (infra mammary fold ) which is scar unfriendly , where as saline implants can be inserted through small incision along the sub areola line which is scar friendly. 4. The sub areola incision allow the surgeon to create very nice cleavage and precise new IMF under direct vision and digital feel, where as the fold incision is too far from the cleavage area and too close to the new fold for easy dissection. 5. Saline implants allow for easy correction of size asymmetry unlike gummy bear. 6. Gummy bear require small pocket to maintaine their position which puts them at addition hardening risk due to capsule contracture. This is much less likely with saline implants since the pocket made is large.  In regard to your plan to combine breasts augmentation with tummy tuck, I would not recommend it. In my 28 years of plastic surgery practice, I have noticed that patients have a tendency to over estimate their ability to recover from painful operations which tummy tuck and breasts augmentation are. Consequently they stay in bed without ambulation and do not drink due to the heavy dose of pain medications. That can cause severe complication like blood clots, pneumonia etc. It is safer to do the surgeries separetely.   Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Check their before and after picture in the photo gallery to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive.                Best of luck,                                    Dr Widder

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear mactac,

If you have a true allergy to Formaldehyde even though
Formaldehyde should not be a component of a modern breast implant structure
either gel, saline or the shell around these implants there may be some
autoimmune or immune sensitivity to any foreign body that has polymers made of
silicone and in that situation would be best off considering more of a natural
augmentation with fat grafting.  Certainly
formal allergy testing at a certified allergy centre such as Sunnybrook
Hospital they can test for silicone polymers that might be present that might
be present in your breast implant, but there’s never any guarantee that a
sensitive immune system such as yours would not react.

Decreasing the silicone load may decrease the risk of that
occurring and you may consider a saline implant.  Saline implants can be put in through the
armpit, through the areolar under the breast and generally are submuscular in
nature and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  Using the Vectra 3D imaging machine you can
work with your surgeon to select the best possible size and shape of implant
that works for you.  Given your sensitive
immune system, immunologic screening would likely need to be performed before
any plastic foreign body implant would be selected.

Fat grafting can be performed at the same time as lipo
contouring to the hips, flanks and outer thighs and generally a half to
three-quarter cup size improvement can be achieved.  Breast augmentation in combination with tummy
tuck is quite commonly performed especially with modern techniques in those
that are medically and physically screened and fit for this type of
surgery.  Recovery following combined
surgery could be more arduous, but if you’re young and healthy the risk of
combining these procedures can be very low and aesthetic outcome is excellent
and you reduce your overall risk to general anesthesia by combining the
procedure and the cost for combined surgery is usually more favorable.

There are obviously many issues to consider in deciding to
proceed and you should select a plastic surgeon that is certified and has many
years of experience in both these procedures.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Would you recommend gummy bear (or any implants) to a person with a formaldahyde allergy?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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

Would you recommend gummy bear (or any implants) to a person with a formaldahyde allergy?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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