Natural-Looking Breasts
For years, breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty) procedures using silicone or the traditional saline breast implant have helped women achieve the beautiful, natural-looking breasts they desire. As the years have passed, advancements in the design of these implants have continued to improve. Although every implant has a silicone shell, it is the filler inside that varies. One of the most recent advancements in breast implant design involves the consistency of the silicone gel-like materials that are housed within the silicone shells. This new material is thicker than previous gels. This consistency is beneficial because it provides beautiful, natural looking results and, in the event of a tear in the silicone shell, the gel-like material remains intact. When one of these implants is cut in half, it maintains its shape: For this reason, these implants are frequently referred to as gummy bear implants.
Safe Implants
A major concern for many women is the safety of the silicone breast implants being used today. These concerns are understandable, which is why the only implants that Dr. Jules Feledy and Dr. Eric Maiorino offers at Belmont Plastic Surgery are those that have been approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
New and Improved Implants
Previously, silicone implants consisted of a silicone shell that contained a thinner silicone gel than the gels that are used in the implants of today. The problem with the thinner gel is that if one of these traditional silicone implants ruptured or began to leak, the gel could exit the implant's pocket and travel throughout the body. Therefore, in 1992, due to concerns related to this potential issue, the FDA decided to halt the use of these silicone implants until more research could be conducted. In 2006, the FDA approved the new version of the silicone breast implant. Currently, there are five different kinds of silicone implants that have been approved by the FDA, one of which is the revolutionary form-stable cohesive-gel implant.
Saline vs Gummy Bear Breast Implants
Saline implants - these implants have an outer silicone shell and are filled with sterile salt water aka saline. They tend to make the breast appear rounder than gummy bear implants do. In the event of a leak, the saline implant collapses and the fluid is absorbed by the body and expelled naturally. Since the shell for the saline implant is placed within its pocket before it is filled, the incision for saline breast implants is typically smaller than that which is used for pre-filled silicone implants. Saline implants provide a uniform firmness, shape and feel.
According to the FDA, saline implants are permitted for use in women who are at least 18 years old. Today, due to surgical technique variations and modified training paradigms, complaints associated with saline implants are relatively low; however, the most common complaint received from patients is that saline implants do not feel as realistic as their silicone counterparts do.
Gummy bear breast implants - The gel inside this type of implant is thicker than that which is used in the more traditional silicone gel implants. These form-stable cohesive gel implants maintain their shape even in the event of a leak. Whereas, other breast implants are circular, form-stable cohesive-gel implants are anatomically shaped, like a teardrop. Gummy bear implants have a tapered top, offering the patient some filling within the upper pole of the breast; however, there will be more projection and a slight curvature at the bottom of the breast. These characteristics help the implant mimic the look of a natural breast.
The pros of gummy bear implants:
Get the Breasts You've Always Wanted
A breast augmentation can provide a woman who is unhappy with the size, shape and/or contour of her breasts with the breasts she has always wanted. A woman may choose to have a breast augmentation to:
Ideal Candidates
A woman who would like to have surgery to increase the size of her breasts, but would rather avoid the rounded look achieved with traditional breast implants, may want to consider the anatomically-shaped form-stable cohesive-gel implant. Furthermore, due to the decrease in the likelihood of implant rippling, women who have minimal breast tissue are typically good candidates for a breast augmentation using Gummy Bear implants, including patients who have previously had a breast augmentation. Dr. Feledy and Dr. Maiorino help their patients decide which implant will meet their treatment goals the best.
Consultation
At Belmont Plastic Surgery, patients are encouraged to ask questions as both Drs. Jules Feledy and Eric Maiorino along with their medical staff believe that patients who become familiar with the various aspects of the procedure(s) they are considering will have the knowledge they need to decide which type of plastic surgery they would like performed. Of course, Drs. Feledy and Maiorino are always available to help patients as they make their final decisions in regards to the surgical procedures that will serve them the best. Fear of the unknown can cause anxiety and Drs. Jules Feledy and Eric Maiorino want their patients to feel good about the positive changes they are about to make. To ensure the patient is familiar with her upcoming procedure, the doctors will clearly explain what the patient can expect during gummy bear breast implant surgery and recovery. When patients arrive for their consultation, they need to have information regarding:
Dr. Feledy and Dr. Maiorino will evaluate the patient's breasts during this consultation. They may take measurements to note the size and location of the nipple-areolar complex, which is the term used when referring to the nipple and the dark circle of skin surrounding it. The size and shape of each breast as well as the proportion of the patient's natural bustline to her hips. If the patient decides that she would like to move forward with an augmentation mammoplasty, a custom-designed surgical plan will be created. They may also order lab work and request that the patient have a mammogram before her breast augmentation with gummy bear breast implants.
Visualize Your Ideal Breasts
Determining the overall look and shape you are trying to achieve can be helped by finding photos of women who have a body type similar to yours. The before and after gallery on the Belmont Plastic Surgery website may be helpful, so both Dr. Feledy and Dr. Maiorino encourages patients to take some time to review these photos. If you find a picture of a woman elsewhere, please save it to your phone, or print them out. These photos are very useful because they give the doctors and their medical staff a visualization of what you want your breasts to look like. During your presurgical appointment, you will be able to try on a variety of implant sizers. These sizers make it easy to see how your breasts will look with the new volume.
A Breast Augmentation Near Washington, DC, with Gummy Bear Breast Implants
A breast augmentation using gummy bear implants takes approximately two hours. Since anesthesia is required for this procedure, patients will not be able to drive after their surgery; therefore, patients need to bring a licensed driver with them. The person a patient chooses to drive her to and from her procedure must be someone that she trusts. Drs. Feledy and Maiorino do not want their patients to be at home alone on the night following their procedure. For these reasons, patients need to find a driver and a caregiver for the day of surgery. The use of public transportation or ride-sharing services after a procedure requiring any type of sedation is not permitted to ensure the safety of patients following their procedures.
Before Your Operation
Dr. Feledy or Dr. Maiorino will visit the patient as she is being prepped for her surgery. A surgical marker is used to draw patterns on the patient's breasts. These patterns help to guide him as he performs the breast augmentation with form-stable cohesive-gel implants. Please feel free to ask questions at this time.
Breast implant surgery is performed while the patient sleeps; therefore, general anesthesia is used.
The size of the implant is determined at the pre-surgical appointment.
Gummy bear implants are only available in the anatomical shape.
Due to their teardrop shape, these implants are textured to help hold them in proper position.
The inframammary incision is used for the gummy bear breast implant. This incision is created at the bottom crease of the breast.
The incisions are closed using surgical tape, skin adhesive and/or sutures. A surgical bra or bandage may be placed over the breasts. This ensures they remain in the best position possible as the patient heals.
Potential Complications
As with any surgery, complications can arise; however, choosing an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Jules Feledy or Dr. Eric Maiorino can decrease the likelihood of a complication and/or future problem. Surgical risks associated with breast implant surgery include:
Recovering After a Breast Augmentation with Gummy Bear Breast Implants
Every patient is unique and heals at her own pace. The general guidelines below are designed to help you as you recover. Patients who do not have a strenuous job can return to work as long as they are not required to lift anything weighing 10 pounds or more. Most Washington DC gummy bear implant patients are able to return to their normal activities within five days of their procedure. As soon as the patient can turn the steering wheel of her car without feeling pain, she can begin driving again. For the majority of Dr. Feledy and Dr. Maiorino’s patients they typically return to driving within seven days of their breast augmentation with gummy bear implants. Three weeks following a breast augmentation with gummy bear implants, patients can resume a normal exercise program.
Most patients state that they feel sore after their procedure and the breasts are tight and itching. Once two weeks have gone by, patients can begin sleeping without the bra they received in post-op; however, patients must continue to wear the bra during the day. After six weeks, patients can usually remove the bra for good. At this point, patients can begin to wear their own brassieres. No bras that have underwires should be worn at this stage of the healing process. Strenuous exercises may be permitted at this stage of recovery; however, patients should share their exercise program with Belmont Plastic Surgery's medical team. Patients should always speak with the doctors before they begin any exercise programs immediately after surgery.
You will see results directly after your breast augmentation procedure; however, due to the inflammation that occurs following surgery, these are just preliminary results.
Once the inflammation subsides, you will have a better idea as to the actual size increase achieved with your gummy bear breast implant enhancement procedure. The results achieved during a breast augmentation with gummy bear implants will be evident for a long time; however, as the body ages, the skin on the breasts may begin to wrinkle and the implants may start to sag. If this happens later in life, many patients decide to have their implants adjusted. While these adjustments are available, they are not required.
Follow-Up Consultation
During the initial six weeks following your surgery, you will need to return to Belmont Plastic Surgery once a week or every two weeks so that Dr. Feledy can evaluate your progress. After the initial six weeks have passed, you will return once a month or once every two months for an evaluation. This evaluation process continues for the next six months.
If you are interested in a breast augmentation procedure with gummy bear implants, we encourage you to call the office to set up a consultation with Dr. Feledy or Dr. Maiorino to see if it is right for you!
Does Health Insurance Cover Breast Implant Surgery Near Washington, DC?
Health insurance only covers the procedure if it is necessary to reconstruct the breasts following breast removal due to cancer or because of some kind of breast injury. Our doctors want people in and around Washington, DC, to attain the physical characteristics they desire, which is why Belmont Plastic Surgery accepts CareCredit and Alphaeon and our staff is happy to help you apply.
If you are considering a breast augmentation with gummy bear breast implants, or any other type of plastic surgery, please contact Belmont Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery by calling or clicking here to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Jules Feledy or Dr. Eric Maiorino.
Schedule your consultation today
The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 818, Chevy Chase MD 20815
