Dr. Lewis Obi Discussed His Interest in Gummy Bear Implants with Allergan

For several years, Dr. Lewis Obi has urged Allergan to help finalize the FDA approval of their style 410 “Gummy Bear” breast implants which have been used in many countries world wide for almost a decade. As a pioneer in many areas of plastic surgery, Dr. Obi has been on the frontier of breast surgery early in his practice. He was one of the first American plastic surgeons to adopt the use of saline implants during an era when the Silicone Gel implants were not considered safe for his patients. “The current silicone breast implants in use have been proven to be safe by the FDA,” states Dr. Obi. (Read the 5 Myths About Breast Implants blog) Coincidentally, Dr. Lewis Obi has been actively involved with the FDA’s breast implant tracking program for the past 20 years.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

His interest in Natrelle™'s Gummy Bear implants is primarily for patients with recurring capsular contracture difficulties with currently available implants. Also, patients seeking reconstruction after mastectomy are potential candidates for these implants. As noted in our September Newsletter, Dr. Lewis Obi was also the first plastic surgeon in the U.S. to acquire the FDA approved Adivive™ stem cell fat processing unit used for breast reconstruction. Also in our September Newsletter, an article in the Australian publication “Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine” quoted Dr. Obi’s experience with the Adivive system for breast augmentation. As with the introduction of saline implants in the 1970’s and stem cell fat grafting procedures more recently, Dr. Lewis Obi has been on the forefront of breast surgery.

Courtesy of Bella Media, Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine

Why Are They Called "Gummy Bear" Implants?

Made with cohesive silicone gel, the implants have a consistency that was previously unavailable in any breast implant. Most silicone breast implants have a silicone gel that feels like honey, while the 410 is more like jello. For this reason, people have nick-named them "gummy bear implants."

The current silicone gel implants, which have a round shape, are filled with silicone that has a consistency like honey. The gel "flows" in the implant, so when the implant is in the vertical position, the gel flows to the bottom and the top/upper pole of the implant collapses. This leads to loss of upper pole fullness and rippling which may be visible and/or palpable.

The style 410 implant is made with silicone that has 3% more cross-linking and it is thus more viscous. The silicone does not flow, it is form stable and has an anatomic (tear-drop) shape. This anatomically shaped implant maintains its shape in all positions. The shell does not fold. Thus the upper pole remains full even in the upright position and there is minimal rippling.

Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants

The new style 410 implants from Allergan are most advanced generation of silicone breast implants available today. The silicone in these implants is form stable, does not flow, and the implant maintains it shape. These implants were developed to address some of the short-comings of currently available silicone gel implants.

Gummy Bear Implants: What’s The Difference?

All silicone gel breast implants used today are termed "cohesive." This is because they are more cohesive than the older silicone implants. However, a truly cohesive silicone implant is form stable. Only the Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants and the Mentor CPG are truly cohesive silicone implants and thus have the associated benefits.

The Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants are more cohesive than implants used in the past, as well as the currently available silicone gel breast implants.

This difference brings several benefits:
• Early study results show a reduced incidence of leakage rates
• Less capsular contracture
• Less rippling
• The implant maintains its shape, the shape is reflected in the breast, it is not deformed by gravitational forces

Breast Implant Options with the Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Implant

Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants come in 12 different models, each with varying width, height and projection. All implants come with an anatomical shape to match your natural body characteristics.

These implants are an excellent option for our patients needing:
• Revision augmentation or mastopexy/augmentation
• Revision of augmentation for leaking silicone implant or deflated saline Implant
• Revision of augmentation for capsular contracture
• Breast reconstruction

HOPEFULLY THESE IMPLANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PATIENT’S OF DR. LEWIS OBI THIS FALL.