Dr. Herbstman was one of the first plastic surgeons in the area to offer gummy bear implants for breast augmentation. In his practice, he provides these durable, high-strength, form-stable silicone gel implants as an option for women who want a truly custom, natural-looking result. Gummy bear implants can also a good choice for women who are having a breast reconstruction procedure.
What Are Gummy Bear Implants?
If your breasts have begun to sag or settle over time, restoring fullness to the upper pole can give you a more youthful, perky aesthetic. Effective enhancement balances this upper pole fullness with a naturally soft and round appearance. Gummy bear implants can provide you with both benefits.
The “gummy bear” name describes the consistency of the gel inside of the implant. This consistency tends to be firmer and more cohesive than traditional silicone gel filling.
Dr. Herbstman can provide his patients with several levels of firmness within the category of gummy bear implants to truly individualize results. The firmest will most readily keep its consistency and upper pole fullness, while the softest will tend to give a more subtle enhancement in the upper breast looking more natural and not so convex or prominent.
Advances in Silicone Breast Implant Design
Since the third generation of silicone breast implants was reapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 (for women age 22 and older), manufacturers have continued to refine the technology. With each advance, the silicone filling has increased in safety, reduced complications, and created a feel more similar to natural breast tissue. The outside silicone shell has been made stronger, yet remains elastic and pliable.
Gummy bear breast implants are the fifth generation of silicone implants. Recent advances in the Allergan line include NATRELLE INSPIRA®, which comes in several different levels of cohesiveness. These products provide natural softness while still keeping their shape within the breast pocket. The advanced silicone filling does not leak, even when cut or torn, and holds its shape when upright or tilted.
Available Options
In the past, patient choice with gummy bear implants was limited because the implants only came in shaped and textured shells. Shaped and textured styles are no longer used. Now, you can choose gummy bear implants in smooth round implants. This is the most popular style among Dr. Herbstman’s patients because:
- The round form adds lasting fullness to the upper pole of the breast.
- The smoothness of the implant helps the breast maintain a natural appearance even if the implant rotates within the breast pocket.
- The firmer gummy bear gel is more capable of retaining its shape.
Other features of breast implant options that patients may consider include:
- The amount of filling in cubic centimeters (cc) will affect how large your breasts will be.
Profile. Also called the projection. This dimension specifies how far the implant sticks out from the chest wall. Profiles range from very low to very high, and the profile choice allows each patient to determine the individual “look” they desire.
Base shape. By dimensional planning, this option insures the implant integrates naturally with each patient’s chest anatomy thereby leading to excellent long-term results.
The Advantages of Gummy Bear Implants
When you come in for your consultation at our offices, Dr. Herbstman will encourage you to discuss your aesthetic goals and how you would like to look after your procedure. He can also show you the different styles of breast implants and let you feel samples so that you can get an idea of which you might prefer.
The number of choices when it comes to breast implants may seem overwhelming. Dr. Herbstman makes a point to educate each of his patients and ensure that she is confident with her final decision. In addition to offering form-stable gummy bear implants, Dr. Herbstman continues to offer cohesive silicone gel implants from the Mentor MemoryGel and Allergan Natrelle families, as well as Sientra gel implants. Saline-filled breast implants are also available.
Gummy bear implants provide several advantages:
Natural appearance and feel. Gummy bear implants look and feel more like your own breast tissue. They will not slosh, ripple, or wrinkle beneath your skin as you move, creating a more aesthetically appealing outcome.
Leak prevention. The gummy bear implants that Dr. Herbstman uses with his patients are designed not to leak their filling even if the shell is damaged. In part, this has to do with the firmness and cohesiveness of the gel, which tends to keep the material together and in one place.
Consistent shape. These implants maintain their form when tilted forward, backward, or sideways. Because of their construction, they also provide a more natural shape to patients who have breast reconstruction.
Collaboration, education, and caring define Dr. Herbstman’s approach to care. During your consultation, he will act as a guide providing insight, advising you on the options available to you, and recommending the features of your implants that he believes will provide the desired outcome. This guidance will be based on your discussions of the goals you want to achieve, the changes you would like to see, and your personal aesthetic preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
See how advances like gummy bear implants can support your aesthetic goals. Dr. Herbstman takes a personal approach to each patient’s care. See the difference when you visit his practice in East Brunswick and Red Bank. To get started, request a consultation online or call us at (732) 253-4404 to schedule your breast augmentation appointment at one of our offices.