Gummy Bear Implants in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and the San Diego area

When considering breast augmentation, many people are curious about gummy bear implants. These implants, known for their ability to hold their shape, offer a more natural look compared to traditional options. Gummy bear implants maintain their form and provide a predictable breast shape with fullness at the bottom and a thinner profile at the top.

The recovery process for gummy bear implant surgery typically takes a few weeks, though most patients begin feeling better after just a couple of days. Like all breast implants, the main goal is to improve both shape and size in a way that meets the patient’s aesthetic goals.

Natrelle is currently the only brand offering a smooth collection with three different gummy gel options. The gummier the implant, the better it holds its shape when handled, giving patients and surgeons more choices for customized results. Many plastic surgeons now offer consultations specifically for those interested in learning if these cohesive gel implants might be right for them.

What Are Gummy Bear Implants?

Gummy bear implants are a specific type of breast implant known for their stable shape and natural feel. They get their nickname from their consistency, which resembles gummy bear candy when cut.

Composition and Structure

Gummy bear implants are made of highly cohesive silicone gel, which is thicker than traditional silicone implants. This cohesive gel maintains its shape even when cut or damaged, reducing the risk of leakage. They typically have a teardrop shape, mimicking the natural breast contour with more fullness at the bottom and a tapered top.

The outer shell of these implants is stronger than traditional options. This enhanced durability helps them maintain their shape over time, even when subjected to pressure or movement.

Most gummy bear implants feature a textured surface designed to reduce rotation. Since they have a specific shape, maintaining proper orientation is important for natural-looking results.

Are Gummy Bear Implants Textured?

Most gummy bear implants have a textured surface rather than a smooth one. The textured exterior helps the implant stay in place and reduces the risk of rotation. This feature is particularly important because of their teardrop shape.

If a teardrop-shaped implant rotates, it can create an unnatural appearance in the breast. The textured surface creates friction against the breast tissue, helping the implant remain in its intended position.

Some manufacturers offer different degrees of texturing. The texturing process varies between brands, with some using more aggressive texturing than others.

Comparison With Other Implant Types

Gummy bear implants differ from traditional options in several key ways:

Shape: Unlike round implants, gummy bear implants have a teardrop shape that many consider more natural-looking.

Gel consistency: Traditional silicone implants use a less cohesive gel that feels softer but is more prone to rippling or leaking if damaged.

Longevity: The highly cohesive gel in gummy bear implants may help them maintain their shape longer than saline or traditional silicone options.

Feel: Gummy bear implants feel firmer than traditional silicone implants but softer than saline implants.

The stability of gummy bear implants reduces common issues like rippling and folding that can occur with other implant types. This stability comes with a trade-off – they typically require a larger incision for placement due to their firmer consistency.

Benefits of Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy bear implants offer several advantages over traditional breast implants, making them a popular choice for many patients. These cohesive gel implants provide enhanced aesthetic results while addressing common concerns associated with other implant types.

Natural Appearance and Feel

Gummy bear implants create a more natural breast shape compared to traditional options. Their teardrop design mimics the natural slope of the breast, with more fullness at the bottom and a tapered appearance toward the top. This anatomical shape helps patients achieve results that look less artificial.

The cohesive silicone gel inside these implants maintains its shape while remaining soft to the touch. This consistency closely resembles natural breast tissue, making it difficult to distinguish from real breasts both visually and by feel.

Many patients report higher satisfaction with the natural movement of gummy bear implants. Unlike some older implant types, these implants move naturally with the body while maintaining their shape in all positions.

Durability and Longevity

Gummy bear implants demonstrate excellent durability over time. The cohesive gel composition helps the implants retain their shape for longer periods compared to traditional options.

These implants resist common issues like rippling and wrinkling that can affect other implant types. The thicker gel maintains its form and position, even after years of use.

The strong silicone shell of gummy bear implants provides additional structural support. This enhanced shell integrity contributes to the overall longevity of the implants and helps them withstand normal physical activity.

Reduced Risk of Leakage

One significant advantage of gummy bear implants is their lower leak rate compared to traditional silicone implants. The cohesive gel inside maintains its shape even if the implant shell is compromised.

If a rupture occurs, the gel remains largely contained within the implant rather than leaking into surrounding tissue. This “form-stable” property minimizes complications and makes ruptures easier to detect during routine examinations.

The reduced leak risk also means less silicone gel extravasation (migration of silicone into body tissues). This lowers the chance of complications and often results in less frequent need for replacement surgeries over time.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While gummy bear implants offer many benefits, they also come with important risks and considerations that patients should understand before making a decision. Safety concerns range from surgical complications to long-term health issues that vary from person to person.

Possible Complications

Gummy bear breast implants, like all surgical procedures, carry several potential complications. Infection may occur during or after surgery, requiring antibiotic treatment or implant removal in severe cases. Changes in nipple and breast sensation are common, with some patients experiencing temporary or permanent numbness or hypersensitivity.

Pain in the breast area might persist beyond the normal recovery period. According to FDA information, additional surgeries may be needed to address complications or adjust implant position.

Implant rupture remains a risk, though gummy bear implants tend to hold their shape better than traditional options if this occurs. This “silent rupture” can be harder to detect without imaging.

MRI screenings are recommended regularly to check implant integrity, adding to the long-term maintenance costs and considerations.

Who May Not Be a Candidate

Individuals with certain health conditions should avoid gummy bear implants. Those with active infections, untreated breast cancer, or other malignancies are not suitable candidates due to increased health risks.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should postpone surgery until several months after completing breastfeeding. Patients with autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may face higher risks of complications.

Those with unrealistic expectations about results or recovery should reconsider. The procedure requires significant recovery time and will not solve body image issues or relationship problems.

People with a history of poor wound healing or those unwilling to accept potential scarring should explore alternatives. The firmer nature of gummy bear implants also makes them less ideal for those with minimal natural breast tissue.

Capsular Contracture Risks

Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications with breast implants. This condition occurs when scar tissue forms around the implant and begins to contract, making the breast feel firm or hard. It can also cause pain and distortion of the breast shape.

While all breast implants carry this risk, some studies suggest gummy bear implants may have a slightly lower rate of capsular contracture compared to traditional silicone implants. However, the risk still exists.

Factors that may increase capsular contracture risk include:

• Bacterial contamination during surgery
• Bleeding during recovery
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Radiation therapy to the breast area
• Genetic predisposition

Treatment often requires surgical intervention to remove the hardened capsule and replace the implant. In severe cases, the implant might need to be removed entirely.

Gummy Bear Implant Recall

Some gummy bear implants have been subject to recalls in recent years. The FDA discovered a link between certain textured breast implants and a rare form of cancer called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Though rare, this cancer of the immune system develops in the scar tissue and fluid surrounding the implant. Symptoms may include persistent swelling, pain, or lumps in the breast or armpit.

In 2019, several textured implants were recalled from the market due to these concerns. Patients with these specific implants were advised to:

• Monitor for symptoms but not remove implants if no problems exist
• Consult with their surgeon if symptoms develop
• Register with the manufacturer’s warranty program

Current gummy bear implants on the market have undergone additional safety testing, but ongoing monitoring is essential for any patient with breast implants.

Gummy Bear Implant Procedure

The gummy bear implant procedure involves several carefully planned stages to ensure optimal results. This specialized breast augmentation technique requires proper preparation, precise surgical execution, and appropriate recovery care.

Preoperative Preparation

Before gummy bear implant surgery, patients must schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During this appointment, the surgeon will evaluate the patient’s medical history and current health status.

Patients are typically instructed to stop taking certain medications like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs that might increase bleeding risk. Smokers must quit at least two weeks before surgery, as smoking can impair healing.

Pre-surgical preparations often include baseline mammograms and breast measurements to determine the appropriate implant size. The surgeon will discuss implant placement options—either under the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle.

Patients should arrange for someone to drive them home after surgery and assist with daily activities for the first 24-48 hours of recovery.

Surgical Steps

Gummy bear implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 1-2 hours. The surgeon begins by making an incision in one of three locations: the inframammary fold (under the breast), around the areola, or in the armpit.

The choice of incision depends on patient anatomy, implant size, and surgeon preference. Gummy bear implants often require slightly larger incisions than traditional implants due to their firmer consistency.

After creating a pocket for the implant, the surgeon carefully inserts the gummy bear implant. These form-stable implants must be placed with precision since their teardrop shape is designed to maintain orientation.

Once positioned correctly, the surgeon closes the incisions with layered sutures. Skin adhesive or surgical tape may be applied for additional support.

Recovery Timeline

First Week:

• Rest is essential with limited arm movement
• Wear a surgical bra or compression bandage continuously
• Manage discomfort with prescribed pain medication
• Expect swelling, bruising and tightness

Most patients can return to light activities within 3-5 days, but should avoid heavy lifting (over 5 pounds) for at least two weeks. Surgeons typically remove stitches within 7-10 days if non-absorbable sutures were used.

By weeks 3-4, moderate exercise can usually resume, though chest-focused workouts should be avoided for 6 weeks. The implants will gradually settle into their final position over 2-3 months in a process called “dropping and fluffing.”

Full recovery takes approximately 6 months, when all swelling resolves and the implants settle completely. Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are important to monitor healing.

Choosing the Right Gummy Bear Implants

Selecting the ideal gummy bear implant involves understanding the available options to match your body type and aesthetic goals. These form-stable implants offer excellent shape retention and come in various configurations to suit different needs.

Shapes and Sizes

Gummy bear implants come in two main shapes: round and anatomical (teardrop). Round implants provide fullness in the upper breast and create a more pronounced look. Teardrop implants mirror the natural breast shape with more volume at the bottom, offering a subtler enhancement.

Size options typically range from 120cc to 800cc. Your surgeon will help determine the appropriate size based on your chest measurements, existing breast tissue, and desired outcome. Many surgeons use “sizers” during consultations to simulate how different volumes might look on your frame.

Consider your lifestyle when choosing size. Larger implants may cause more discomfort during physical activities and potentially more noticeable rippling over time.

Textured vs. Smooth Surfaces

Gummy bear implants are available with either textured or smooth outer shells. Textured surfaces were designed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture and prevent implant rotation, especially important for anatomical shapes.

However, textured implants have been linked to a rare condition called BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). This has led many surgeons to prefer smooth-surfaced options for patient safety.

Smooth implants move more naturally within the breast pocket and typically feel softer. They integrate well with surrounding tissue but may have a slightly higher risk of rotating if anatomically shaped.

Your surgeon’s experience with different surface types should guide this decision, balancing aesthetic goals with safety considerations.

Longevity and Maintenance

Gummy bear implants offer impressive durability compared to earlier implant types, with proper care significantly extending their lifespan. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential components of ensuring optimal long-term results.

Expected Lifespan

Gummy bear implants typically last between 10 to 15 years, though some can remain intact for up to 20-25 years with proper care. Their cohesive gel composition contributes to this extended durability compared to earlier silicone implant generations.

The lifespan varies depending on individual factors including:

• Body type and activity level
• Proper post-surgical care
• Regular medical check-ups
• Absence of complications

Proactive maintenance significantly extends implant longevity. Following surgeon recommendations about physical activities and wearing supportive garments can prevent unnecessary stress on the implants.

Signs Replacement Is Needed

Patients should watch for specific indicators that suggest implant replacement may be necessary:

Physical Changes:

• Change in breast shape or size
• Hardening of the breast tissue (capsular contracture)
• Visible rippling or wrinkling
• Pain or discomfort in the breast area

Diagnostic Indicators:

• Rupture detected during imaging
• Shifting of implant position

Current guidelines recommend routine MRI or ultrasound screenings every 2-3 years after placement, even without symptoms. Silent ruptures can occur without obvious external signs, making these screenings crucial for early detection.

Immediate consultation with a plastic surgeon is advised if any concerning symptoms develop between scheduled check-ups.

Consultation and Next Steps

When considering gummy bear implants, the first step is scheduling a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. During this meeting, the surgeon will assess your anatomy and discuss your goals for breast enhancement.

The consultation provides an opportunity to ask questions about the procedure, recovery, and expected outcomes. Surgeons typically review your medical history and may take measurements to determine the right implant size for your body.

Be prepared to discuss your lifestyle and expectations openly. This helps the surgeon recommend the best implant type and surgical approach for your needs.

Many patients find it helpful to bring photos showing their desired results. This visual reference gives the surgeon a clearer understanding of your aesthetic goals.

After the consultation, you’ll receive a customized treatment plan. This plan outlines the procedure details, costs, and recovery timeline.

Pre-Surgery Preparation:

• Complete required medical tests
• Stop smoking at least 2-4 weeks before surgery
• Adjust medications as directed
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery

Most patients take about one week off work for initial recovery. During this time, you should avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds and follow all post-operative instructions carefully.

Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor your healing progress. Your surgeon will provide specific guidance on when you can safely resume normal activities.

If you are in the Temecula, Menifee, Murrieta, and San Diego area and are considering breast implants such as gummy bear implants, Newman Plastic Surgery is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Wrinkle creams are a multi-billion dollar business that preys on our own worst fear that we are getting old. And according to the American Academy of Dermatology, anti-aging creams and serums, eye creams and even very expensive topical creams do little to nothing to treat wrinkles. But there is one treatment that is highly effective, is very safe and can last many years. More on that later but let’s talk about how wrinkle cream companies say their products work.

Back to the Drawing Board

Companies that sell wrinkle creams typically advertise that chemicals in their creams and serums penetrate the skin layer to cause changes in the structure of skin and its cells. There are two very important untruths right there. Firstly, the most important function of our skin is to keep chemicals outside of our body. The strong outer layer of our skin is an incredibly strong barrier to nearly every chemical known to man. So wrinkle creams never get to the skin to provide any effect.

The second untruth is the notion that the chemicals in wrinkle creams somehow alter skin metabolism. For example, many creams claim they increase production of collagen which is the protein responsible for the strength and structure of the skin itself.

But our metabolism is like a thermostat in that our DNA gives instructions for exactly how much collagen our body produces and that is not changed by anything applied to the skin even if it could penetrate to get to the skin cells.

In addition, creams that claim they contain collagen also don’t work for the same reason: if bricklayers work at a certain rate, simply giving them more brinks won’t help them work faster. Our DNA tells the skin cells how much collagen to produce and so creams are totally ineffective at increasing collagen production.

What Wrinkle Creams Really Do

If wrinkle creams and wrinkle serums don’t fix wrinkles, what do they do? In the short term, they have three effects: spackling the wrinkles flat, causing inflammation which pops out fine wrinkles and the use of silicates which can provide some shrinking of the skin. Let’s discuss all three effects.

Filling the Cracks

Wrinkle creams and also makeup both contain powder mixed with chemicals that moisturize; keeping the powder particles wet and thus keeps the powder from drying out over the short term. Over the several hours after application, our warm skin causes the water in the moisturizer to evaporate. At this point, the makeup or other product loses volume so it doesn’t fill the wrinkle anymore and since the powder has nothing to hold it together, it begins to crack, making the wrinkles appear worse.

Retin-A

Retinols (retinoic acid) work by causing inflammation which results in skin swelling. And because the skin is thicker, the wrinkles temporarily pop out. This change is best seen with fine wrinkles. There are two problems with these agents. The first is that repeated swelling can lead to long term damage of the skin. The other problem is that retinols are one of the few chemicals that can penetrate the skin and change DNA. This might lead to skin atrophy and long term thinning of the skin.

Newest Hype

Splashed all over the television are commercials about a new product that tightens skin miraculously, and in seconds! These products contain silicates, powder found in certain rocks. How do they work? Perhaps the salts in the cream form a temporary bond with each other, and when the skin dries, there may be some tightening. Unfortunately the improvement is short lived because with any slight skin movement the bonds will crack. So the effect is very short lived. I guess our face is not made of stone!

What Actually Works

For patients with intermediate to deep wrinkles, the best way to achieve permanent and safe wrinkle removal is to use the CO2 laser. When done safely and with good post-treatment skin care, most patients can have anywhere from 85% to 95% of the wrinkles removed permanently. When looking at all surgeries done, few procedures can boast that amount of improvement in one treatment. That’s why the laser is the gold standard to which all other wrinkle removal techniques are compared.

So don’t waste your time and hard earned savings on useless wrinkle creams. Think of laser skin resurfacing treatment as an investment in your beauty. It can stave off the effects of time on our skin and leave the skin looking refreshed, natural and smooth.

Size Matters but Not Like You Think

You have just decided to take the plunge and have a breast augmentation. There has been the back and forth deciding and listening to your friends and relatives telling you what to do but now you have finally decided. You have consulted with several good plastic surgeons but you still don’t know exactly how big you want to go or which implant is the best. Dr David Newman recommends that patients think more like a doctor when looking at breast implant alternatives. And there are two secrets that doctors know about breast implants.

Your Right Breast Implant Size is the Size That Will Make You Look Your Best

Plastic surgeons use volume to create shape. So when the volume of the implant is too small, there is not enough size to get to the best shape. For example, the implant needs to extend horizontally from the cleavage area to the outside of the breast in order that the cleavage will be the best it can be. If the implant is smaller than this, the cleavage will suffer. This is also true from the vertical perspective. The implant needs to have sufficient volume so that it can extend from the bottom of the breast to the upper pole or the upper part of the breast won’t be full and again, the overall shape will not be its best. These are both examples of the minimum volume required to achieve the best shape. 

But shape will suffer when the implant goes beyond a maximum volume. In other words, when the implant is too large, the shape won’t be as good as it was with a lesser size. This is mostly because the doctor has to make a larger pocket to hold the larger implant and the space required may extend beyond the natural edge of the breast tissue. When this is done, the breast starts to lose its “breast shape” and become more  “blobby”. Some patient might be willing to sacrifice some loss of shape to get to the size they wish but more often patients wish the best shape. But patients should know that there is a “best shape range of implant sizes” that will lend the best shape. There are some other issues that relate to creating a pocket that extends past the natural edge of the breast tissue. The breast tissue provides natural cover for the implant and hides the ability to feel or see edges of the implant (rippling). So when the implant goes beyond the edge of the natural breast tissue, it may be possible to feel the implant. 

Another issue relates to the support of the implant by the patient’s tissues. The implant is being supported by the pectoralis muscle which acts like an internal bra to push the implant up and that creates fullness of the upper part of the breast. We need good volume to have the implant “get to the top” of the breast to create this fullness but when the implant pocket is made too large or especially when the muscle is released at the bottom to put in a large implant, the muscle is no longer able to support the large implant and, over time, the implant that lacks support will fall and “bottom out”. This also results in loss of fullness of the upper part of the breast.  Most patients can get to their goal size wishes without having to go beyond this point. But it is interesting and helpful to discuss the fact that there is a “best size” or at least “best size range” for each patient and this is generally in the C to full C range though it can vary widely with different chest widths, different anatomy and different breast shapes. To find your best size range it is important to discuss your wishes with a plastic surgeon, both in terms of the size and the shape.  

What Size Breast Implant Should I Get?

A Plethora of Possibilities

While you are on the road to your best shape, it’s also important to know that there are several kinds of breast implants and not only one type. Breast implants can be round or tear drop shaped, have differing amounts of projection (sticking out from the chest), can be saline or silicone gel and even are offered with differing thicknesses of gel. This reveals something very important: there is no one best implant but rather different implants that each have pluses and minuses. Each patient must weigh the benefits of these different implants as they relate to their goals and go through the process of this decision. It’s a very enjoyable process to go through and find what is best for you! So don’t let anything hold you back. 

How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost In Temecula, Murrieta, or Menifee, CA?

Costs for a tummy tuck depend on the fee of the plastic surgeon, the location where the surgery is being performed, and the type of operation or surgery necessary. Anesthesia may also be a factor, but most tummy tucks are performed under general anesthesia to make this procedure safe and to get the best cosmetic result.

Tummy tuck prices are generally similar within a certain geographic area but may vary depending on any additional procedures added to the tummy tuck, such as liposuction of other areas. For instance, Tummy tucks near Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee may all be less than the cost in Beverly Hills, though the same operation is performed and with the same attention to detail and cosmetic result.

That is why it is important that patients shop around and even consider having procedures done out of their residential area, as the cost could be significantly lower. Some plastic surgeons have packages they offer that include not only the procedure itself but short-term lodging near their surgery center, both to make surgery safer and more convenient for their patients.

Tummy Tuck Price Estimates By Procedure

Standard Tummy Tuck

The most common type of tummy tuck is referred to as a “standard tummy tuck (standard abdominoplasty). The average patient who has this kind of tummy tuck has had children and has a prominence where the front of the abdomen protrudes, and this is usually from the top to the bottom of the tummy. These patients also have skin excess where the skin of the abdomen is loose or folded, especially over its lower part, and the skin can hang down over the pubic bone. There may also be skin excess within the upper part of the abdomen.

Mini May Be Better

Some patients may not need to have their entire abdomen treated and have a lesser procedure, and these are often referred to as mini-tummy tucks. There are many variations of a mini-tummy tuc, but they share in common the fact that they take less time to complete and therefore cost less than a standard tummy tuck. (By the way, most patients refer to a standard tummy tuck as a “full tummy tuck“). Sometimes mini tummy tucks are performed with liposuction as part of the treatment of the front of the tummy, and liposuction surgery is much faster than any kind of tummy tuck. The decision to have a specific type of tummy tuck or liposuction is based on the patient’s anatomy and their goals for the treatment. But the tummy is an area where, often, the recommendation of the plastic surgeon is most important to consider, regardless of the price.

The Dreaded Scar

Not to diminish the fact that a tummy tuck means that there will be a scar about the lower abdomen, patients often focus on the scar but don’t weigh the scar against the improvement they will gain with a tummy tuck because that is the reason the patient is in the doctor’s office in the first place! Patients must consider how badly they wish a tummy tuck versus how bad the scar might be ultimately and there are things that can be done to treat scars.

An experienced plastic surgeon can really help patients understand which procedure may be best for them and to give a reasonable expectation about the safety of the surgery and their cosmetic result.

Get A Tummy Tuck Consult in Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee, CA

Understanding the cost of a tummy tuck involves more than just a number, it’s about knowing what each type of procedure offers, what’s included in the price, and how it aligns with your personal goals. Whether you’re considering a mini tummy tuck or a more extensive procedure, investing in your confidence and well-being is priceless. Prices can vary based on the surgeon’s experience, facility fees, and the complexity of your case, so it’s essential to get a personalized consultation.

If you’re ready to explore your tummy tuck options, contact Dr. David A. Newman at Newman Plastic Surgery in Temecula, CA. With decades of experience and a reputation for natural, beautiful results, Dr. Newman can help you take the next step with confidence. Call today or schedule your consultation online to get started on your transformation.