Dr. Hootan Daneshmand

Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy Bear Implants Procedure

gummy bear implants

Many times, women wish to enhance the size or shape of their breasts for a variety of reasons. Maybe they want to boost confidence in their body, achieve a higher level of symmetry between breasts, adjust their breasts after pregnancy, or correct their breast shape caused by a previous condition. Nobody necessarily needs a reason for breast augmentation, but breast implants have become increasingly popular over the years. One notable type of breast implant with growing popularity is the “gummy bear implants.”

Gummy bear implants are viable alternatives to traditional silicone breast implants. If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery in Bakersfield or Orange County, we’re here at Silhouette Plastic Surgery to offer the board-certified expertise of Dr. Daneshmand. He strongly believes that well-informed patients make better decisions on what is best for their body. Before choosing which type of breast procedure to undergo, we recommend browsing our website for options such as breast lifts, breast reconstruction, and more. The following information and frequently asked questions are for your benefit. If you have any questions about our procedures, give us a call at 949-359-8397.

Traditional breast implants are made up of an outer shell of silicone. Within that shell, the filler material consists of either silicone gel or a more liquid saline solution. Gummy implants have both a silicone shell and a gel filling of silicone. They also have a more teardrop-like shape, unlike traditional circular-shaped implants. The term “gummy bear” actually refers to the silicone gel composite inside the implants.

Traditional silicone implants and gummy bear implants differ mainly in the consistency of the filler material. Gummy implants have a firmer, more natural feel. They also tend to hold their shape better than traditional implants. Typically, both gummy bear and traditional silicone implants feel softer to the touch than saline implants.

The other important difference to note is a slight safety improvement with gummy bear implants. Early silicone implants had a risk of shell rupture and filler material leakage into the surrounding breast tissue. This is significantly more unlikely now due to the increased strength of outer shells. Gummy bear implants are even safer because of the thicker consistency of the gel composite. Even if the shell should somehow rupture, the thick gel is less likely to spread than the filler of traditional silicone or saline implants.

After years of research and improvements, breast implants are widely considered to be safe. Specifically, gummy implants are stronger than other types of implants. The main risk associated with them is that, in the event of a leak, it is slightly harder to detect than with other implants. Dr. Daneshmand, along with most plastic surgeons, performs regular screenings of his patients’ implants to make sure they remain intact and in place. After your implants are put in place, the FDA recommends that you undergo regular MRI screenings 3 years after placement, and then at least once every 2 years. Below, we include other important risks and side effects of all breast augmentation surgery.

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Changes in nipple sensation
  • Pain
  • Implant rupture
  • Scarring
  • Nausea or vomiting from anesthesia
  • Wrinkling of the breast tissue
  • Large cell lymphoma

Always keep in mind that one set of implants do not last a lifetime. As the implants age, they have an increased risk of rupturing. Typically, people replace breast implants every 10 years. After that period, the risk of leakage increases significantly. One way to ensure that the appearance of your implants remains intact is to maintain a stable body weight from the time of placement. Any significant change in weight, either gained or lost, will change the appearance of breast implants.

In general, gummy bear implants ripple less than traditional silicone or saline implants. While nobody can guarantee an absence of rippling implants, gummy implants, due to their more viscous nature, ripple less. Rippling appears more obvious in women with less breast tissue and fewer surrounding fat deposits. 

 

Firmer implants offer a decreased risk of rippling, but with notable trade offs. Softer implants require smaller incisions, and are also more affordable. Gummier implants also allow for greater breast fullness, as they hold their shape better. For individuals with minimal breast tissue, gummy bear implants are an excellent option to minimize the possibility or appearance of rippling.

Gummy bear implants are, for the most part, textured. Due to their teardrop shape, the texture of the implant keeps them from rotating within the breast. For round implants, this is not as large a concern. Additionally, textured implants are less associated with capsular contraction, which is thick scarring around the implants. 

Consider discussing which implants are best suited for your body type and desired results with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will always consider your wants, your budget, and your comfort when recommending implants. The best way to determine a plan of action is to schedule an initial complimentary consultation with your California board-certified plastic surgeon.

In general, insurance companies do not cover breast augmentation surgeries. This means that, barring special circumstances, you will pay out of pocket. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost of breast augmentation for 2019 was $3,947. A variety of factors determine the cost for these surgeries.

 

The above cost only encompasses the initial fee for the surgery itself. Other costs include anesthesia fees, hospital costs, medical tests, post-op garments, medications, and a surgeon’s fee. Surgeon’s fees are determined based on experience, procedure type, and the office’s geographical location.

Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Dr. Daneshmand specializes in cosmetic surgery and breast augmentation surgery. He is also an active member of the Breast Care Center in South Orange County, and is on staff at multiple hospitals in the area. His ability to provide excellence in the field of plastic surgery has earned him admiration from both patients and colleagues in the Orange County, Bakersfield, Riverside areas. To schedule your complimentary consultation visit, call 949-359-8397 today.