At first, surgeons and the manufacturers thought that they either couldn’t leak or that if they were to break the highly cohesive silicone would stay in place. After a while, a few ruptures were seen. True, the rates are the lowest of any implant, but it can occur. Sometimes, when the shell broke, the gel stayed in place. But we have now seen a few cases where the gel has moved outside the shell, though to my knowledge no cases have been reported of the gel migrating outside of the capsule and into the breast. No doubt this notion of unbreakability is one that manufacturers and surgeons have been happy to hear, because fear of rupture has always been a barrier to women considering augmentation. No manufacturer has ever said they could not break, though I have read it in several surgeons’ websites. The idea of “gummy bear” implants really blossomed in augmentation chat rooms and forums. This played a huge role. Some women go there and get medical advice from strangers. Bizarre, huh? As a result, gummy bear implants have achieved somewhat of a cult status.
To read the full interview, click here.
This is an excerpt of an article by Plastic Surgery Practice interviewing me about cohesive implants.
