by Terrye Tebbetts

Question:

I have the old silicone mentor implants and LOVE them but wish they were a size bigger. I would like to have them redone but was informed that the old implants are no longer available and now they only have the gummy bear implants.

Can anyone tell me if these feel the same or are they firmer? I love my soft and natural old mentor implants but wish i could get them redone just a little bigger. Please help!

Thanks in advance for any input.

Answer:

The old cohesive gel breast implants were taken off the market in 1991 and were put back on the market, with a few improvements, in November of 2006.  They are certainly available to you – round, smooth, conventional (memory, more cohesive gel). 

In a re-do you NEVER want to use a shaped implant (which all various forms of form stable or gummy bear implants are).  And since my husband designed them you can take this as HONEST and best truths for patients.  Using a shaped implant in a secondary case is, honestly, idiotic.  Too much risk for malposition and reoperation.  In a primary where you can control the pocket this is not an issue (if the ps uses precise, bloodless dissection).  And since so many ps don’t use this method they dis shaped impalnts to begin with – blaming the implant for rotating, when in reality, implants are just objects that can’t do anything until the patient and surgeon make them do something.  It is not just about the implant or the device but HOW the device is used!!!

Now to the bigger question or issue – - if you love them, why change them????  If in going bigger you secretly are hoping that they are higher and perkier – you (and anyone else entertaining this idea) are DREAMING!!!  Implants age with you and judging by what you said, you have had yours for awhile and you love them which means that they have aged gracefully with you.  If you add an implant – it MUST go to the bottom of the pocket you give it to go to and fill from the bottom up.  Which means a bigger implant, gives you a bigger, saggier, version of what you are now – no lift, no upper pole fullness – - just bigger.

So if just bigger is what you want – the implant you need is available.  But if you have a secret agenda, please think twice.

After all, if it ain’t broke and you love them – why try to fix it???

About the Author: Terrye Tebbetts is one of the most knowledgeable women in the world about breast implants, with 27 years of experience educating patients and 11 years as a patient herself. For more information about breast implants or breast augmentation Dallas surgeons, please visit www.thebestbreast.com.