Breast augmentation continues to be a popular body contouring procedure with over 300,000 women having their breasts enhanced last year alone in the U.S.. While it may be hard to see any association at all between breast implants and sugar and desserts, they are some visual and tactile similarities. This association has come about because of two recent technological advances in how breast augmentation surgery is performed and the devices that enable it to be done.
One important part of the placement of breast implants is getting them placed into the breast pocket. When only saline implants were available this was never a concern as they were inflated after they were placed. This meant that very small incisions could be used for their introduction that were not even on the breast. Rolled up like a burrito, a saline implant is inserted through a one inch incision and then inflated to the desired size. With the re-introduction of silicone breast implants in 2006, larger incisions are needed as they are pre-filled and must be inserted as such.
This makes the issue of larger scars with silicone breast implants a concern for some patients. Plastic surgeons will frequently push and cram the breast implant through a small incision because of this concern. Needless to say, this technique is not good for the implant and undoubtably leads to premature rupture and the early need for replacement. That has all changed with the introduction of an improved delivery method.
Known as the funnel, and looking exactly like what is used to decorate a cake, the breast implant is now easily propeled into the implant pocket….all without ever touching the implant or squeezing it too hard in one place. This incredibly simple but highly effective delivery method now makes it possible to use very small incisions again and even do silicone gel breast augmentation from a remote armpit incision.
As silicone gel has returned as an implant option in 2006, , it has again become a sought after breast implant material. With no risk of ever spontaneously deflating like a saline implant, the elimination of this risk and its more natural feel makes it a very popular choice. While the health concerns from the early 1990s with silicone has long been dispelled, the concern about rupture and what happens to the material persist. This has lead to the development of advanced silicone materials that hold together more like a solid, resulting in what is known as the gummy bear breast implant.
The gummy bear breast implant is more than just a cute nickname. It is a reflection how the silicone filling looks and feels…soft and spongy. And just like those cute little red, green and yellow bears, you can push and pull on it and even cut the material and it won’t lose its shape. The physical similarity between this new implant and the candy are obvious and it is no wonder a plastic surgeon saw the similarities and gave it that name years ago.
Breast augmentation continues to get better and more safe as the materials and techniques to deliver them improve. This gives women more options to choose what they feel best fits their bodies.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana