Cohesive Gel Implants AKA: Gummy Bear Implants
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Topic: Cohesive Gel Implants AKA: Gummy Bear Implants
Posted By: runawaybunny
Subject: Cohesive Gel Implants AKA: Gummy Bear Implants
Date Posted: May 17 2009 at 7:22pm
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Has anyone had reconstruction with these newer implants? They have been used in clinical trials for years but aren't approved by the FDA for general use yet. I know Valkyrie will be getting them in the future but has anyone already gotten them?
Please share your experience. Thanks!
Hugs,
Catherine ------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Replies:
Posted By: outnumbered
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 5:22am
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Hi Catherine,
I have a friend who got them almost 3 years ago and loves them. I have seen them and felt them and they seem good. (sounds weird but once I found out I was getting a mastect, she showed me hers to make me feel better) I have regualr silicone, but I am seeing a new PS on Friday to discuss some revisions to my reconstruction and I know he uses them, so I might be joining the ranks of future users.
Hugs! ------------- ~Sara DX @ age 40 6/24/08 Stage 1 Grade 3 BRCA1+ 187delAG BMX (nipple-areola-sparing) 8/5/08 Redo BMX (remove nipple and areola) w/ Lat Flap 7/6/09 BSO 9/3/09 NED since 08/05/2008 |
Posted By: runawaybunny
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 6:15am
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Thanks!
You're lucky you had the opportunity to feel what they are like after they are inside a body. Usually, we just feel get to feel the implant samples in the PS' office.
My PS' partner is part of the study and I would have to switch doctors in order to have the gummy bear implants. That doctor told me she's put them in for 8 years now and likes working with them.
Let's keep each other posted.
Hugs,
Catherine ------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Posted By: Sunris
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 9:41am
| Still haven't met with a PS yet, so very curious to know what all the options are...hmm...gummy bears are yummy!! Could they be the new thing of the future ? |
Posted By: elizabeth
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 11:24am
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Hi Catherine, I have the gummy bear implants (Allergan 410s). I am very happy with them. My only personal comparison is the tissue expanders, and the gummy bears are so much more comfortable. I read a lot of message board posts on other breast cancer sites, and the main complaint people have about gummy bears is that for some people they are very disappointed in the projection / cleavage. The gummy bears are anatomical / teardrop shaped rather than round and they come in many different heights and projections, and in some sizes on some body types, they look more like well defined guy swimmer muscles rather than a shape that would fill out a bra nicely.I was aware of this complaint, and was a little wary since I had come to like the exaggerated cleavage and perkiness of the tissue expanders. Still, I really wanted the gummy bears for their safety features. So I let my PS know my concerns and asked him to choose the version and size that would have the most projection. The ones he used for me were "MX" meaning moderate height and extra projection. (I'm not sure if this is correct, but I've also heard that the way the PS makes the pocket and positions the implant can influence projection as well.) I've definately down-sized from the tissue expanders, but they look great (in clothing) and I am very happy.
I think it's really important to discuss how you want to look with your PS and make sure he or she really understands your preferences, especially if projection is an issue for you and you want gummy bears.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth ------------- lumpectomy 4/07; 1.8cm TNBC stage 1c grade 3; chemo: AC, Abraxane, Avastin; rads 9/07; bilat mastectomies 9/08; oophorectomy 1/09. |
Posted By: sibu
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 6:53pm
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Hi Catherine-- I hate to admit this, but I THOUGHT I had the gummy bear implants...until I read your post. Now I'm not sure! My ps didn't say anything about experimental or not approved by the FDA. The card in my wallet says "Mentor Smooth Rnd High Gel Breast Implant"... Anyone know how to tell? ------------- Donna, age 42 Dx IDC 12/06, 5/18 Nodes + BRCA1+ Double mast. 1/07 Chemo 6 X TAC 6/07, rads 10/07 Hyst./Recon. 12/07 |
Posted By: MsBliss
Date Posted: May 18 2009 at 10:19pm
| I am wondering if Abraxane is a bit easier to tolerate than taxotere. Did you have to qualify to get Abraxane? |
Posted By: elizabeth
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 2:33am
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Hi Donna,
The terminology is confusing. Many breast implants are more cohesive (tighter and more numerous molecular bonds or something like that) than they used to be. The Gummy Bears are so cohesive that they hold their shape when sliced in half, just like a gummy bear candy. This is theoretically one of their advantages: that they are less likely to rupture, and if they did, less likely for silicone to leak into your body.
For now, the gummy bears I got (Allergan 410s) are only available under a trial in the US, but in Canada and other places women can get them freely.
You should probably check with your PS, but I'm pretty sure the "Mentor Smooth Rnd High Gel Breast Implant" is relatively cohesive, but not so much to be labeled a gummy bear. I've heard about women who were dissatisfied with the projection / cleavage of gummy bears and switched to high round silicone implants and were much happier with the look, so I think the high rounds have an advantage in that respect for some people.
Hi MsBliss,
I got my chemo a few years ago under a clinical trial (that is now closed) that included Abraxane. I was told that Abraxane is easier to tolerate as an infusion than regular Pacilitaxol, so that you do not need to take any of the steriods or other premeds. On the other hand, some of the nasty side affects like neuropathy are still there, and I think I was told they are a little more likely with Abraxane. It is also crazy expensive and probably difficult to get insurance to approve outside of a trial.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth ------------- lumpectomy 4/07; 1.8cm TNBC stage 1c grade 3; chemo: AC, Abraxane, Avastin; rads 9/07; bilat mastectomies 9/08; oophorectomy 1/09. |
Posted By: runawaybunny
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 6:36am
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Hi Donna,
I think you would have known because there's alot more paperwork to fill out and you agree to be followed for 10 years, etc. (Right, Elizabeth?)
Check online. Here's one link where you can see what Elizabeth is talking about.
http://www.cohesiveimplants.com/ - http://www.cohesiveimplants.com/
At first I thought gummy bears were approved but then learned that they are only approved for women over 18 who meet the parameters of the trial and for plastic surgeons who are participating. Therefore the advertisements online are only for those plastic surgeons. "Fly to LA for a Gummy Bear Implant Vacation!" (A breast/vacation package combo).
For me, it's about having the best implant available and the gummy bears don't have the leaking issue that earlier silicone implants had.
I'm also still considering saline because a friend had saline breast augmentation over 10 years ago and loves them. My PS likes silicone for the look and says they almost never leak.
This is just another in the many decisions we have to make. And I hadn't even thought about "projection" yet!
 Hugs,
Catherine
PS: Allergan 410 http://www.cohesiveimplants.com/inamed410.html - http://www.cohesiveimplants.com/inamed410.html
------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Posted By: Valkayri
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 3:01pm
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Hi All,
I just wanted to say that they are up for approval by the end of June/beginning of July by the FDA and unless there is a major holdup will pass with flying colors, so hopefully that will help with the availability of the "gummies". My Dr. has been doing the training sessions for over a year now to educate other surgeons on how to correctly choose the style since they are a lot more diverse in sizes than normal round implants. She is Dr. Patricia McGuire and listed on the site since she is one of the few who can actually use the implants now. I will be seeing her June 5th and would be happy to ask any questions of her that y'all might have. I have found her to be incredibly open and honest with me about all aspects of everything having to do with the implants. And one last thing, I know St. Louis isn't exactly a vacation destination but it does have good hospitals and doctors and someone who would be happy to take you out and show you the town if you came here to get the implants-me:)
Blessings to all....and perky boobies to those who want 'em
  Kara ------------- TNBC May 2008 @35 stage 2, grade 3 3.7 cm & under 1cm BRCA2+ dose dense, neo-adjuvent 4AC& 4Taxotere bilateral mast Oct.08 Reconstruction finished Nov 09 www.mishmashin.blogspot.com |
Posted By: sibu
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 5:37pm
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Well since mine were starting to "project" south and now they project straight ahead, I guess I won't be too concerned if they are gummy bears or Cherry Jell-O. Whatever they put in there, it's better than what was there before. ;) ------------- Donna, age 42 Dx IDC 12/06, 5/18 Nodes + BRCA1+ Double mast. 1/07 Chemo 6 X TAC 6/07, rads 10/07 Hyst./Recon. 12/07 |
Posted By: runawaybunny
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 5:59pm
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I'm still chuckling over the T-Shirt seen on the survivor in Michigan last Saturday, which read, "Yes these are fake. The real ones tried to kill me!"
Regardless of what implants we replace our diseased breasts with, they should be much safer than what was removed, right?
Valkyrie, Paleeze keep us posted!
Hugs!
Catherine ------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: May 19 2009 at 7:19pm
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Catherine,
"Regardless of what implants we replace our diseased breasts with, they should be much safer than what was removed, right?
"Don't bet on it Catherine, for what they say now, could in years to come be a toxin that we will regret having placed in our bodies, as it is a form of plastic or some other substance that our bodies will learn to reject.
Many hugs,
Nancy
------------- Nancy DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
Posted By: lavender
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:06am
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I am in Canada and here the gummy bear is used very often. I think it is used because it is textured and has less problems with capsular contracture and the anatomical shape. The PS really like them.
As for my experience. I hated it. It was way too hard. (I was trying to match my natural breast and didn't even have a choice, it was the implant put in. I was not hugging people close because friends had made comments on how hard my chest was on that side. Yes it was way softer than the expander. There was not enough projection and they are wide. It was a D- DD wide but only filled out a B cup and so I had to put a silicone filler in my bra to look normal in clothes. It was heavy as well. It made it harder to accept the new me...... I ended up having a lot of pain under the arm like I was leaning on a crutch. It was very uncomfortable and it had a "step off" which was like a ripple across the top of the breast where the slope and the projection are (sorry hard to explain). Don't get me wrong it did look great with a very natural look but it was just not right for me. When I saw my PS last dec she said it wasn't right and needed to be changed, which was to my relief. I now have a style 20 round smooth implant that is so much better.... I don't have the pain issues and it still looks great and is a better match to my good side. It has way more fullness on the top so a bra fits better and is so much softer, more like my good side. it moves more and even jiggles and it is not as heavy. I still which I had a little more projection but it looks good in a bra. If only they made an implant for mastectomy's and not just for enhancement! I won't go back to the gummy bear 410. Now to be fair, I was trying to match a D cup on the other side so the options were less for me as I am a tall girl. My thoughts are that if you are smaller and need an implant less that 500cc they are great as long as you ask for the fX to have the projection. My friends that are smaller are really happy with theirs. ------------- Lavender DX Sept 07 Oct 07 Partial mastectomy 0/18 nodes T2a N0 grade 3 TN Mar 08 completed 4AC& 4T Apr 08 mastectomy with expander |
Posted By: runawaybunny
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:13am
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Thanks, Lavender.
I really appreciate hearing about your experience.
The "20 round" implant that your PS replaced the gummy bear implant with, was that also cohesive gel or gummy bear and just a different type/shape? Or was it the standard silicone?
Thanks again.
Catherine ------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Posted By: lavender
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:26am
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It was silicone not the "gummy bear".
Remember that even the saline implant shells are silicone. Here is the link to the styles for allergan for more info. http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf I was hoping for the style 45 to have the projection but my PS said she doesn't use it as it has more ripples. I called the company for more info and they were really nice and helpful and informed me that the style 45 is an older style that was not filled as full as the style 20 that is why it has more ripple issues. ------------- Lavender DX Sept 07 Oct 07 Partial mastectomy 0/18 nodes T2a N0 grade 3 TN Mar 08 completed 4AC& 4T Apr 08 mastectomy with expander |
Posted By: runawaybunny
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:31am
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Thanks, Lavender!
Hugs,
Catherine ------------- Left breast, DX 4/87 DCIS,18 neg nodes, lumpectomy,radiation, Stage 0 Left breast,DX 6/08 TNBC, 6mm grade 3, Stage 1, bilateral mastectomy w/recon, AC X 4, Taxol X 4,BRCA-neg. |
Posted By: lavender
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:34am
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Catherine,
Please feel free to PM me if you want more details. ------------- Lavender DX Sept 07 Oct 07 Partial mastectomy 0/18 nodes T2a N0 grade 3 TN Mar 08 completed 4AC& 4T Apr 08 mastectomy with expander |
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:37am
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Lavender,
Thought I'd make that link hot for the gals.
Nancy
http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf - http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/natrelle_catalog.pdf ------------- Nancy DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
Posted By: lavender
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:42am
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Thanks Nancy, I don't know how do that on my mac. I know that mentor has a website as well, I am not sure of the link but I am sure someone else will have it to add. ------------- Lavender DX Sept 07 Oct 07 Partial mastectomy 0/18 nodes T2a N0 grade 3 TN Mar 08 completed 4AC& 4T Apr 08 mastectomy with expander |
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: May 23 2009 at 10:47am
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Lavender, Once you copy and paste the link, or have written the link, just set your cursor at the last letter/character, and hit your spacebar. Sometimes you have to do it more than once. I'm happy to do it for you
Hugs,
Nancy
------------- Nancy DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |