Gummy Bear Implants
What are gummy bear implants? This is one of the most popular questions we receive during the initial consultation for breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, at our St. Louis practice. The short answer is that gummy bear implants are a type of silicone rather than saline breast implant. That said, some important distinctions set gummy-bear implants apart from standard silicone-gel devices, making them an ideal choice for certain women and helping them achieve the exact look and feel they desire.
At West County Plastic Surgeons, we offer a wide variety of breast implant shapes, sizes, and profiles to satisfy the diverse needs of our patients. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Terry Myckatyn and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum have years of experience helping women choose a breast implant that’s right for their needs and wishes. They know that choosing between saline, traditional silicone, and gummy bear implants can be confusing, so they take their time to explain and show the differences so that you end up with the results you want.
To schedule your personal consultation for breast augmentation at our St. Louis office, request your consultation online, email us or phone (314) 996-8800 today!
Dr. Terry Myckatyn and
Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum:
Trusted. Experienced. Committed.
Gummy Bear Breast Implants for St. Louis Patients
Gummy bear implants, so named for their similarity to chewy gummy bear candies, are technically called form-stable, cohesive-gel breast implants. The name is slightly misleading, however, because gummy bear implants do not contain a solid gel inside, like a real gummy bear. Instead, they contain dense, semi-solid gel that retains its shape, and they have a durable outer silicone shell.
While no two patients choose gummy bear implants for exactly the same reasons, these are some of the most common features that lead our patients to select gummy bear implants for their breast enhancement surgery:
- Teardrop shape looks natural.
- Implant feels like real breast tissue.
- Cohesive gel retains its shape.
- Textured surface prevents shifting.
- Implant does not wrinkle, ripple, or fold.
The main reason gummy bear implants look more natural than round ones is due to their shape: Fuller at the bottom than the top, they have a gradual tapering that resembles natural breasts. As a result, they do not create a full or exaggerated upper pole that is characteristic of a round implant, and many women enjoy knowing that they will not have the obvious “boob job” appearance following their augmentation.
Many women who have elected to receive gummy bear implants comment that they, and often their partners, like that the implant feels more like real breast tissue than either saline or standard silicone devices. In addition, because of the highly cohesive, form-stable gel inside the device, it retains its shape over time.
Most gummy bear implants feature a textured silicone shell, which prevents shifting or rotation of the breast implant within the breast pocket. This stability can help prevent a common complication known as capsular contracture, where excess scar tissue develops around the implant and can necessitate device removal.
Because gummy bear implants are filled with a firm semi-solid gel, they will not fold, wrinkle, or show ripples—common complaints with saline devices. Some believe that this stability also makes gummy bear implants less prone to leaking.
Which Is the Best Implant Type for You?
So how do you know if gummy bear implants are right for you? Unfortunately, it is not as simple as choosing a new hair style; many issues factor into the decision, including a patient’s age, incision preference, device positioning, and whether the patient requires a breast lift, or mastopexy surgery, in conjunction with the breast augmentation. In short, that question should be answered only by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has training and experience to help you consider all factors and weigh the pros and cons of each device type, not just gummy bear implants, before selecting one that is right for your breast augmentation surgery.
If you’re interested in speaking with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out if gummy bear implants are right for you, schedule a consultation at West County Plastic Surgeons today! Request your consultation online, email us or phone our St. Louis office at (314) 996-8800
If you have questions or would like to book a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgery, please call (314) 996-8800.
