While the name may seem amusing, gummy bear implants are among the preferred choices of women going under the knife for breast enhancement surgery.
If you are planning to increase the size or shape of your breasts, you may well ask what sets these implants apart.
What Are Gummy Bear Implants?
Gummy bear implants are tear-drop-shaped breast implants filled with a cohesive gel.
Compared to the often-reported silicone or saline type of implants, these do not deflate even if the outer coat is ruptured.
The result? An appearance of a new breast that can be touched gently without any complex or rubbery feeling.
Key Benefits:
- Shape Retention: In this case, although the implant shell gets damaged, the gel inside remains in its proper shape of the implant.
- Natural Feel: At this position, the cohesive gel implies a softer surface texture than the other implant types.
- Less Risk of Rupture: These implants are more critical and have lower rupture rates.
Pros and Cons
While gummy bear implants have many benefits, they also have drawbacks. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Pros
- Durability: Compared to the regular type of implants, these have a longer life span.
- Lower Risk of Capsular Contracture: This complication occurs when the implant is bound up by scar tissue, which becomes tight. The abovementioned problem is less likely to be experienced with gummy bear implants.
Cons:
- Higher Cost: It is noteworthy that in most cases, you need to pay more money yourself. Earhart’s models cost from $6,000 to $12,000.
- Longer Incision: Some of these implants need a more significant cut on the skin, which means that scarring is more likely to occur.
- Risk of Rotation: Due to their inverted- teardrop shape, if the implant rotates, the breast will have an improper, asymmetrical contour.
Round Versus Teardrop-Shaped Implants
When choosing between round and teardrop-shaped implants, it’s essential to understand how each affects the final look and feel:
- Round Implants: Traditional saline and silicone implants are usually round. There’s no visible difference if they rotate because the shape is uniform. This makes them a more forgiving choice in maintaining an even appearance over time.
- Teardrop-Shaped Implants: They appear in a teardrop form so that they are influenced by the shape of the breast already in the implant. This one is denser in thickness, gives volume at the base, and builds upwards gradually. However, if these implants rotate, the uneven shape can cause the breast to appear asymmetrical.
To minimize this risk, gummy bear implants often have a textured shell. This texture helps the surrounding tissue adhere to the implant, like Velcro, reducing the chance of movement.
Additionally, this texture has been linked to a lower rate of capsular contracture—a condition where scar tissue tightens around the implant, causing discomfort and an unnatural appearance.
Cost Considerations
When budgeting for gummy bear implants, remember to factor in:
- Surgery Costs: $6,000 to $12,000
- Hospital and Anesthesia Fees
- Recovery Items: Special bras, bandages, etc.
While gummy bear implants are more expensive than other options, many find the durability and natural look worth the investment.
Precautions
Gummy bear implants have impressive outcomes; however, like any other surgical process, there are some dangers. All breast augmentation surgeries carry the risk of: All breast augmentation surgeries carry the risk of:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Nipple Sensation Changes
- Pain
- Rupturing of the Implant
- Scarring
- Nausea and Vomiting from Anesthesia
- Wrinkling of Breast Tissues
Fewer severe side effects have been identified, and these include severe cases of nausea, severe back pain as well as severe weight loss.
In the year 2011, the FDA made an association between breast implants and the rare cancer referred to as Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.
It is also necessary to know that implants are not for life; this means that women with implants need to go for a revision in the future.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that most women dispose of or switch to another implant after approximately 10 years.
Common side effects of the drug are noticeable immediately after the first dose, and with each subsequent dose, it becomes more likely that the patient will experience the side effects.
Patient with a stable weight is recommended for this surgery and should avoid gaining or losing weight. It is important to note that weight changes will affect the look of your breasts due to their composition.
At the same time, gummy bear implants could be suitable for those women who want to have a teardrop shape instead of a round one.
However, they do have a rotation issue, which may result in an awkward shape on the breast until another surgeon adjusts it for you.
Is This the Right Choice for You?
Gummy bear implants may suit women seeking a natural feel implant that retains its shape and is associated with minimal complications such as capsular contracture. However, it costs more than the other traditional procedures, and the patient has to deal with a visible scar since longer incisions are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are gummy bear implants safe?
They’re considered safe, but regular screenings are crucial to monitor their condition.
2. How long do gummy bear implants last?
They can last longer than other implants, but most women will need to replace them after about 10 years.
3. What are the downsides of gummy bear implants?
They can be more expensive, and rotations are risky due to their shape.
Conclusion
It is your choice which implant to go for, but the gummy bear implants are most recommended, long-lasting, and resemble natural implants. But remember to sit down with your surgeon to discuss the options with them and what might be the most appropriate for you.
