Are Gummy Bear Implants Available in the US?

A Gummy bear implant is a new type of breast implant that is available outside of the United States, but currently has NOT been approved by the FDA for general use in the U.S.  We don’t know yet what advantages or disadvantages these implants will have compared to our current silicone gel implants, but it seems they may feel firmer, much like a gummy bear candy feels firmer than pudding.  

Plastic surgeons have been told for YEARS that this implant would be available "soon", but it still has not been approved.  When patients ask me if they should wait for this implant, I tell them we really don’t know if it will be better or not, and we certainly do not know when they will be available.  Over the last 25 years, I have seen many “new, better” implants come and go, so it is best to stay with the implants that we have approved today until we really have more information.  And for more information on breast implants, please visit my website at www.prescottmd.com

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

After a scientific review of millions of patients, the FDA is examining a possible correlation between breast implants and a rare form of lymphoma (ALCL).  Only 60 cases were found in this large number of patients, but it was enough to spark interest and further study.  When counseling my patients, I emphasize this is NOT breast cancer, and this may not turn out to be a true correlation, but I will keep them posted.  No need to worry or lose sleep, but call me if they notice any unusual pain, swelling, or lumps (which they know to do anyway).  Dr. Prescott