| The latest and greatest breast implant to hit the U.S. | | | | the body rejects the breast implant and encases it |
| market is called a cohesive gel implant. It is also | | | | with scar tissue. Silicone gel implants are the most |
| referred to as the Gummy Bear breast implant | | | | prone to this condition. Saline implants are much less |
| because of its similar shape and texture to the | | | | likely to experience capsular contracture. One of the |
| popular candy of the same name. In fact, if you're | | | | design elements that reduce the risk of the body |
| curious as to what a this implant feels like, you can | | | | forming scar tissue is a textured surface on the |
| simply go to your local liquor store and pick up a pack | | | | implant's exterior shell. Cohesive gel implants, by |
| of the gummy bears, rip open the package, and | | | | design, are all produced with a textured exterior |
| squeeze a handful of them. That sensation will be | | | | surface. Early evidence suggests that the cohesive |
| roughly close to what the new implant feels like | | | | gel implant rarely experiences capsular contracture. |
| when squeezed. | | | | Whether it's because of the solid mass of gel, or |
| These increasingly popular implants have gained | | | | because of the textured surface, the cohesive gel |
| considerable notice over the past few years. | | | | implant appears to be the most effective implant at |
| However, they are not yet approved by the FDA | | | | reducing the risk of the body forming a thick layer of |
| (they're still undergoing clinical trials). While it may be | | | | scar tissue around the implant. |
| many years before the implant is approved for | | | | The Gummy Bear implant is still undergoing clinical |
| unrestricted use, it doesn't mean you can't have | | | | trials in the United States. Elsewhere in the world, this |
| them for your augmentation surgery. Keep reading to | | | | implant has been used for almost 20 years. Data |
| learn more. | | | | collected from around the globe indicate very positive |
| What makes a cohesive gel implant different than a | | | | results with this implant, but until the FDA concludes |
| traditional silicone implant? Traditional silicone implants | | | | its own research, the cohesive gel implant is on the |
| are available in both round and anatomical shape. The | | | | restricted list for breast augmentation surgeries. |
| new cohesive implant is only available in anatomical | | | | If you want cohesive gel implants, you'll need to |
| shape due to is design. | | | | apply for the clinical trial. To do so, you'll need to find |
| The cohesive gel implant is a solid mass of gel - it is | | | | a plastic surgeon who is participating in the FDA's |
| not a liquid. Because it is in solid form, it is impervious | | | | clinical trial. You'll need to visit the FDA's website in |
| to the effects of gravity. If the implant was | | | | order to find an approved surgeon. |
| produced in a round shape, it would maintain a flat, | | | | If you need breast reconstruction, you may be able |
| M&M appearance at all times no matter what position | | | | to get the cohesive gel implants much easier than if |
| the woman's body was in. By producing the implant in | | | | you're wanting them strictly for aesthetic |
| anatomical shape, it has a very nice, natural slope to | | | | enhancement. Call a board-certified plastic surgeon |
| it. It mimics the shape of a real breast; gradual at the | | | | who is approved for the clinical trial to learn more. |
| top, and more full and round at the bottom. Because | | | | While the internet is a great source for information, |
| all cohesive gel implants come in anatomical shape, | | | | you should not make medical decisions based on |
| they will all have textured surfaces to help prevent | | | | information you find online. Only a licensed, |
| implant rotation as well as help thwart the onset of | | | | board-certified plastic surgeon should give you advice |
| capsular contracture. | | | | for your health-related decisions. |
| Capsular contracture is an uncommon condition where | | | | |