A few months ago, I posted the headline, “Sientra gets FDA approval for new breast implants in the US.” The breast implants are new to the US; however, the company manufacturing these breast implants has over 30 years of experience. Silimed of Brazil, has granted Sientra, exclusivity for the US market.
Sientra's New Breast Implant Line
Recent Sientra Developments
Earlier this month at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) annual meeting in Vancouver, Sientra held their launch. It was well attended, as ASAPS members are plastic surgeons who specialize in all aspects of cosmetic plastic surgery, including the most popular of all the cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in the United States — Breast Augmentation.
The usual launch hype was present, with the usual promises; however, a few interesting and unique aspects of Sientra’s business model were revealed.
Sientra Breast Implants – Exclusive to Plastic Surgeons
One unexpected announcement was that Sientra breast implants will only be sold to American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Board-Eligible and Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons. The company believes the world’s most specialized breast implants should only be used by the world’s most specialized breast surgeons. In a recent letter from Sientra CEO, Hani Zeini, explains, “Sientra is a plastic surgeon-centric company and not just another plastic surgery business. Given our unwavering commitment to patient safety, it is our belief that breast implant surgery is best delivered by highly trained and specialized plastic surgeons.”
He backs up this commitment further by stating, “Unlike our competitors, the Sientra warranty is only valid if, and only if, a patient is implanted by a board-certified/board-eligible plastic surgeon.”
Sientra Breast Implant Warranty Revealed
The specifics of the Sientra Breast Implant Warranty were also revealed in Vancouver. The warranty is important should your Sientra breast implants leak. Here are the details:
- Up to $3600 assistance for out-of-pocket surgical fees – this goes toward paying the surgical fees for replacing the ruptured implant.
- Lifetime product replacement – the ruptured breast implant will be replaced, free of charge, for your lifetime.
- Free contra-lateral replacement if needed – the breast implant on the other side will also be replaced if needed, for example, if you elect to change size or the style of the replacement breast implant, a matching implant will be supplied for the other side too.
- Simplified enrollment form – Your Plastic Surgeon will submit the required paperwork for you.
Gummy-Bear Breast Implants’ Shape Details Released
The details of Sientra’s form stable (gummy-bear) breast implants where also revealed. Like all shaped implants, the lower half is more full than the upper half. The base, the side that lies against the chest wall, is flat and varies in dimensions and shape.
The classic tear-dropped shaped implant is taller then it is wide and has an elliptical base that is oriented vertically. Two additional profiles are available. One has a round base, allowing for more lateral volume, while still maintaining upper pole fullness. The other is oval, like the classic base; however, the ellipse is oriented sideways for maximum width volume for a shorter frame. The illustration at the top of this post has examples.
Why Tear-Drop Shaped?
Regardless of the shape of their bases, all these gummy-bear breast implants are tear-drop shaped. They all have enhanced projection in the lower half of the implant to preferentially fill the lower half of the breast. This will be most advantageous for post-mastectomy patients, and for patients with very little breast tissue. The downside to these, or any shaped breast implant, is that it must remain properly oriented for proper results. Unlike round implants, if a shaped breast implants turns, the breast shape will change. To help prevent rotation, texturing is used on the surface of the breast implant.
High-Strength Silicone Gel Breast Implants
How do these new breast implants hold their shape? The secret is high-strength silicone gel. Unlike the filling in previous silicone gel breast implants, this gel blurs the line between liquid and solid. The implants remain soft, like a liquid, but like a solid, the highly cohesive gel inside these implants does not flow. The result is a soft breast implants that hold their shape and cannot leak.
The Evolution of Breast Implants
This is an exciting time in the evolution of breast implants. The FDA approval of Sientra’s entire breast implant product line, marks the first time a form-stable breast implant has been available in the US. The other two US based breast implant manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor, are hoping their form-stable (gummy-bear) breast implants (Allergan’s style 410 and Mentor’s CPG) will also soon receive the FDA’s stamp of approval.
If you are interested in learning more about Breast Augmentation with Gummy-Bear Breast Implants, schedule a personalized consultation by calling (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form on the left.
Previous Post Next Post