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Cohesive gel implants are the newest implant for breast augmentation surgery. However, the Gummy Bear implant, as it is often called, is not currently available in the United States unless you participate in a FDA clinical trial. Keep reading to learn more about cohesive gel implants. Interest in cohesive gel implants is rising rapidly. American women are curious about this implant that is new to us but not the rest of the world. A significant amount of data has been gathered in Europe since the early 1990’s about these implants. That is close to twenty years of usage and patient follow-up. The United States, however, doesn’t recognize that research. The FDA will only consider data they have garnered through their own clinical studies. Because of the safety issues involved, it will be years yet before the FDA approves their unrestricted use in America. The clinical studies for silicone gel implants took fourteen years. How does this new implant compare to the saline and silicone gel implants American women have used? Does it maintain its shape longer? Is it possible for it to wrinkle? Is it less likely to rupture and leak? How long will it last? The current long-term data available from Europe covers all these questions and more, like capsular contracture and implant longevity. The information below is based on that data, which is not provided by the FDA. So far, it appears that cohesive gel implants maintain their shape regardless of passing time and the effects of gravity. They do not lose their form like saline or silicone gel implants. The reason why is because of how they are made. Saline and silicone implants have liquid fillers that are subject to gravity. Cohesive gel implants do not. They are a solid mass pre-formed to a shape and size, so gravity doesn’t change their appearance. Saline and silicone implants are prone to rippling and wrinkling, which can eventually cause a leakage. The reason why is that these implants are filled with a fluid that moves from one area of the implant to another as the body changes positions. This is not a worry with cohesive gel implants because they have no liquid that moves. Patient follow-ups reveal that rippling and folds do not occur in these implants. However, time and the body’s natural warmth can cause the implant to diffuse somewhat. The major concern about saline and silicone implants is leakage. Because they are filled with fluid, there is always the potential for leakage. The silicone gel is toxic to the human body, so that is of particular concern. However, any leakage of saline or silicone means surgery to repair it. Leakage is not a problem with cohesive gel implants because they have no liquid filler. They are an entire unit of cohesive gel. Leakage isn’t possible even if the outer shell is removed or the implant is cut in half. There are several theories as to why capsular contracture (the growth of scar tissue) hasn’t occurred with the cohesive gel implants. The prevailing thought is that the firmer cohesive gel implant doesn’t allow the body to grow scar tissue around it. Only time and more research will reveal if capsular contracture will happen over the long term. The article is not meant to be taken as medical advice or recommendations. If you would like to find out more about cohesive gel implants, seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in breast augmentation and participates in the FDA clinical trials. Please visit our site: orange county breast augmentation, orange county breast enlargement, and orange county breast implants.
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