Gummy bear vs. silicone implants

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jonella
jonella Member Posts: 9
edited June 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi there,

I am five weeks post bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I have finished my fourth fill and my PS thinks I may need two to three more fills to achieve my desired size. We have been talking about what type of implants I want, gummy bear versus normal silicone. My reconstruction has been a painful process because I am thin and he had to sew the tab of the right breast TE to an area near the rib where there are a lot of nerves. Every fill of only 30 ccs leaves me in bed flat on my back with knife-stabbing pain under my right breast for two days. The left side of my body is fine.

My PS and his PA explained that some women are more body aware and will feel the rim of the gummy bear implants and it bothers them. I had a nipple-sparing bilateral mastectomy and I want the breasts to look and feel as natural as possible. It seems to me that the gummy bears will hold their shape better than the silicone, but the most important thing to me is having breasts that feel as much a part of my body as possible. Also, since the implants are right under the skin, which one is warmer to the touch?

I would love to hear from women who have personal experience with both types. I am counting the days until I can have these TEs out of my body. Somehow, I thought this process would be a lot easier than it is.

Thank you.

Joanne

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Comments

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2016

    Hi ,

    My situation was different, but I thought I'd answer until someone with more similar circumstances comes along.

    Gummy bear implants are anatomically shaped true cohesive gels. The gel and the shell are both silicone. Silicone rounds are also cohesive gels, but differently shaped and the silicone gel, though very stable, is not quite as "solid" as a true cohesive gel. Like gummies, the shell is silicone. If you slice both open, neither contains the runny silicone of days of old.

    Most implants for recon do not go under the skin, but rather under the pectoral muscle. There are some women who do get them under the skin and I think there is is thread on bco about this.

    I have had my round silicone gel implants for almost 5 years. My goal was to look as much like my natural self as possible, since I liked my breasts. I had a great ps who listened to me and made no false promises. I had a skin/nipple sparing bmx with one step implants. No TE's, no fills,no exchange and no revisions. I think this is not common so feel like I just lucked out.

    Initially, I thought the implants felt cool, but not cold. Now, I never notice temperature difference at all. They feel pretty natural, although more firm, like the breasts of my youth, not like the breasts of a 60 year old. This, I don't mind 😉. My friend has gummies and they are definitely firmer. Has your ps let you hold and feel both types? This might be helpfu. Best of luck and I hope someone with gummyexperience comes along soon.

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  • jonella
    jonella Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for taking the time to reply. Your response was helpful. And you are so lucky you did not have to go through the TE reconstruction process! Glad you are happy with what you have. At this point, I may be satisfied with anything other than these TEs.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited June 2016

    Just want to add that my PS did not recommend the gummies because she said they can rotate and that would be a problem because of their shape. Goo luck with your decision....

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