Are natrelle implants, gummy bear implants?

Question

Are nutrelle implants the same as gummy bear implants, what's the difference if not. Are they both the same texture?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

The newest generation of cohesive silicone breast implants provides
incredibly natural-looking and feeling results, and also a high level of
safety. Previous versions of silicone gel implants
had thin shells and liquid or oily silicone filler, were extremely soft, and were
susceptible to rupture, leakage, or microscopic silicone “bleed.” The latest types of silicone gel breast
implants (by any of the 3 USA implant manufacturers) have been used as part of
the more general FDA study since 1992, and are soft, yet still a cohesive solid
gel that cannot leak. These implants do not leak even if the shell is
cut or punctured, and can be inserted via a 1½-inch incision. Slicing open one
of this latest generation of breast implants is like cutting Jell-O—you get two
solid intact parts and leakage does not occur. (These implants are often
erroneously called “gummy bear” implants since they are cohesive, though the
true first “gummy bear” implants were the Allergan style 410s.)

Allergan style 410 implants are
made with a more firm (“highly cohesive”) silicone gel that is described as
“form-stable,” meaning its teardrop shape is maintained in the body (even when
reclining). Because proper orientation is critical for normal breast appearance
(upside-down would look mighty strange, for example), the surface of this
implant style is textured to adhere to the surrounding tissues. This
highly-cohesive, firm silicone gel material led to the lay description “gummy
bear” implant. Like all cohesive implants, this “highly-cohesive”
implant retains its form and innate integrity even when its outer shell is
punctured. This implant is more firm (like a “gummy bear” or silicone bathtub
seal) than the softer, latest-generation, cohesive silicone gel implants, and
requires a larger 2.5 inch incision for placement. (It’s also more costly.)
This implant—Allergan (formerly McGhan) style 410—has recently been FDA
approved, but I feel this implant configuration is usually more appropriate
for reconstructive or “rescue” operations than for primary cosmetic breast
augmentation.

Now that a third implant manufacturer (Silimed) is producing Sientra implants
that are FDA-approved for use in this country, additional options exist for
patient and surgeon choice. Sientra has decided to sell their products only to
American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons (a laudable
position), whereas Mentor and Allergan will sell their implants to any licensed
physician, regardless of specialty. (This is how Dermatologists, Family
Practitioners, and doctors with little or no plastic surgical training can
legally obtain breast implants, and insert them into unwitting patients who
think that their “cosmetic surgeons” have the same training and certification
as ABPS-certified plastic surgeons.) Whether or not this will confer better
statistics, outcome studies, or lower complication rates than the other
companies’ practices remains to be seen.

Sientra also was the first company to receive FDA approval for their own
brand of “high-strength” cohesive, textured-surface, teardrop-shaped (form
stable) silicone gel implants, as their approval pre-dated Allergan’s style 410
FDA approval. They also began marketing all of their cohesive implants as
“gummy bear implants.” This confused individuals who used the “gummy bear”
moniker to describe the Allergan Style 410 textured cohesive teardrop-shaped
implants. For this reason, I personally believe that although the term “gummy
bear” is descriptive and “catchy” to use, it has now become confusing, since
each implant manufacturer has its own version of textured-surface, shaped,
cohesive, “high-strength,” or “highly cohesive” silicone gel implants. Plus,
the “regular” smooth round silicone implants are also cohesive. So they’re ALL
“gummy bears” and they’re NOT all “gummy bears,” depending on how you define
the term.I hope this clears your confusion, and that you never use the term again! ALL present-day silicone gel implants by all 3 USA implant manufacturers are cohesive, in differing degrees (only minimal, but definite) of cohesiveness or firmness/softness, and therefore are what the lay public refer to as "gummy bears." Unless, of course they are really describing the Allergan style 410s. Or the Sientra-marketed "gummy bears." See what I mean? Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, the term "gummy bear" does no have the same meaning for everyone.  It is often used to describe implants with a cohesive silicone gel that will not flow if the implants break.  Natrelle implants are filled with cohesive gel so in this sense they are "gummy bear" implants.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,All cohesive silicone gel breast implants are a non-liquid, "gummy bear" like substance. There are different textures available for the outside shell, some are firmer than others and some anatomically shaped instead of round but all are cohesive now. Talk with your Plastic Surgeon about the best options for you,Take care

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Natrelle is a trade name of Allergan Corporation. The name Natrelle implant is essentially the same as Allergan implants. "Gummy Bear " implants are highly cohesive silicone gel implants which are made by several manufacturers. The term Gummy Bear is less intimidating than highly cohesive anatomical gel implants, but it's really the same. This is similar to cars. Chevys are manufactured by General Motors. SUVs can be Chevys, but they can also be Fords.Some doctors prefer one brand over another, but don't confuse terms. Not all Natrelle are gummy bears. All plastic surgeons strive to match the patient's needs with the best implant possible. It's great to have so many choices, but it can get confusing unless you have a trusted surgeon to guide you to the best decision.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

All Natrelle silicone implants are highly cohesive semi-solid gel implants. There is a subset of Natrelle implants that are called "gummy bear" implants-the style 410 natrelle shaped implants. These contain a stiffer type of silicone gel to help them maintain their shape. These implants have a textured shell and come in a variety of shapes/projections. In contrast, the other Natrelle implants are round and come in a smooth and textured shell. The gummy bear implants often feel stiffer than the other Natrelle implants.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Mentor, Allergan, and Sientra are the three US companies that make FDA approved silicone and saline implants.  All implants have some silicone as even the saline implants have a silicone shell.  These breast implants have undergone some of the most rigorous testing in FDA history, and they are all perfectly safe to use in breast surgery.  No matter what breast implant is used, there are possibilities of contracture rippling, and rupture rates for all  devices.  We have noted especially excellent results with the newer cohesive gel (gummy bear) implants and are using these almost exclusively in our practice.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

"Gummy bear" #implants are made of a cohesive gummy bear like gel material found inside the implant
will not migrate into the body if the shell ruptures, which means it is harder
to detect a leak. #Natrelle offers these "gummy bear" implants.

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The term "Gummy Bear"  refers to a set of implants with a highly cohesive, form stable, silicone gel.  Sientra, Mentor, and Allergan all offer this form stable implant. Allergan calls them Natrelle Style 410.  Please meet with a board certified plastic surgeon who commonly performs this procedure to evaluate which implant is best for you. Hope this helps.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I can understand the confusion - there are a myriad of different types of implants available for breast augmentation surgery.  The original "gummy bear" implants are those supplied to the market by Sientra.  These are thick, highly-cohesive gel implants.  The thicker silicone gel referring to the internal composition of the implant.  Allergan makes Natrelle and Inspira silicone implants but are a slightly thinner silicone gel.  Hope this helps.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

There are 2 large breast implant producing companies in the US; MENTOR and NATRELLE (formerly Allergan, Inamed, McGhan).  BOTH these companies produce the FULL complement of various shapes and sizes of saline and silicone breast implants INCLUDING those of stiffer silicone gel referred to as gummy bear.So SOME Natrelle (or Mentor) implants are gummy bear implants BUT all natrelle (or Mentor) implants are NOT gummy bear implants.

Are natrelle implants, gummy bear implants?

Answers (13)

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