Cohesive Gel Implants - What Are They?

Cohesive Gel Implants - What Are They?

By:


Saline implants have been the standard implant used in the United States ever since the ban on silicone gel implants in 1992. Of course, that has changed.

The FDA finally approved silicone gel implants in 2006. But now there is a new implant on the rise: cohesive gel implants. They are also referred to as "gummy bear implants". What are these implants? How are they made? Why are they called Gummy Bear Implants? This article will attempt to answer those questions.

If you've ever held a silicone or saline implant in your hand, you'll know that they are sacks filled with a liquid gel or saline solution. They are not much different in structure than a water balloon - they consist of an exterior shell and are filled with an interior liquid.

In the case of saline implants, the exterior shell can be overfilled with the saline solution to match the patient's desires and to reduce the risk of wrinkling and rippling. On the other hand, silicone gel implants are filled with a liquid gel prior to surgery, and therefore require a larger incision than is necessary for saline implants.

Unlike both saline and silicone gel implants, the new cohesive gel implant consists of a solid material; they are not liquid. Although they do have an outer shell, the interior of a cohesive implant is a solid mass. If you were to take a knife and cut a cohesive implant in half, you would have two objects made of a solid silicone gel. There would be no leakage whatsoever.

How are they able to create a solid mass of cohesive gel? How is the gel different than that of a traditional silicone gel implant? These new implants use what is called a "cross linker" during the production of the implant. This cross linker binds the liquid and makes for a firmer, solid implant.

The rise in consumer awareness regarding these new implants has bred some confusion to the term cohesive. Technically speaking, all silicone gel implants are cohesive to some degree since the gel is held together. However, the more traditional silicone gel implants should not be confused with the newer, cohesive gel (also called Gummy Bear) implants. The new implants are a solid mass of material; not a liquid gel.

Finding a surgeon who is accepted and approved for use of cohesive gel implants is not easy; there are only a handful available in the United States. If you were to consider these implants for your breast augmentation surgery and you are a resident of the United States, you would be required to find one of those approved surgeons.

If you are giving serious consideration to selecting these implants for your breast augmentation surgery, you should know that they are currently undergoing trials by the FDA with the hope of determining their overall safety.

The following types of patients are eligible for the clinical study: first time augmentation patients, breast reconstruction, and breast augmentation revision patients. Outside of the above listed eligibility requirements, patients must agree to the follow-up studies that will be performed for a period of about 10 years. You should also live in the close proximity of the qualified cohesive gel surgeon.

The intention of this article is not to provide medical advice or guidance. Should you require any health related recommendations, you will need to contact a practicing, licensed physician in your area and schedule a consultation.

About the Author:
Please visit: replacing your implants, breast augmentation for increased income, and saline breast implants.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Beauty Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.