Are Sientra Breast Implants Better?

Just recently, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new brand of silicone breast implant; the device, which is made by California-based Sientra, can be used in breast reconstruction following cancer surgery, and cosmetic breast augmentation.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, believes the FDA’s approval clearly shows the “reasonable safety of silicone breast implants, despite potential risks such as implant failure and hardening of the tissue or capsular contracture.”

“Any type of breast implant does not guaranty to last a lifetime, although modern designs can accommodate greater force and are quite resistant to the elements that are causing natural wear and tear,” Smaili said.

The plastic surgeon added that implant from Sientra is just like other brands already sold in the US market, thereby patients who will choose the new silicone implant are “technically choosing a technology that has been tried and tested for many years.”

“In fact, silicone breast implants have been subjected to the most rigorous, comprehensive clinical trials and surveys that would allow patients to make a good decision and understand the potential risks and limits of the devices,” he said.

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon believes that Sientra breast implant is neither inferior nor superior to other brands manufactured by Mentor and Allergan, which used to be the only two companies allowed by the FDA to sell silicone and saline breast implants.

In 1992, silicone breast implants were banned in the US over concerns that they may increase the risk of cancer and many forms of systemic disease.  But in 2006, the FDA has lifted the moratorium based on facts that no study has proven the link between the devices and serious illnesses.

After the lifting of the 14-year ban, silicone breast implants are increasingly becoming more popular than saline implants because they provide a natural feel and look.  In addition, many doctors believe they are less likely to fail because the cohesive gel filling prevents wrinkling, a problem that can eventually lead to shell failure.

By contrast, saline implants—which are filled with a sterile mixture of salt and water—are relatively prone to “folds” that may rub each other, thereby increasing the risk of implant failure.

Over the past few years, breast augmentation via silicone and saline implants has been the most popular cosmetic surgery in the US.  In fact, about 307,180 procedures were conducted in 2011 alone. 

Breast Augmentation to Treat Hypoplasia

Contrary to popular belief, breast augmentation surgery is not only used to improve the figure; for some women, this procedure is needed to address deformities such as hypoplasia in which one or both breasts never mature properly.

Many women with this condition suffer from emotional pain because the breasts have always been associated with femininity and sensuality.  Fortunately though, most cases can be corrected by breast implant surgery; and because it is performed as a reconstructive procedure, insurance reimbursement is often possible. 

There are many factors which can lead to breast hypoplasia including hormone abnormalities.  If this is the problem, hormone therapy might resolve the condition and allow the breast tissue to develop normally. 

Hypoplasia can also be the result of systemic disorders, which must be addressed immediately while the patient is still young to increase the success rate of the treatment.  And for some, the problem may have originated from the damaged or injured undeveloped breast bud.

In some cases, underdeveloped breasts are caused by anorexia.  By simply addressing this underlying problem, most patients can develop normal breasts right after they regain their normal weight.

As much as possible, doctors treat the underlying problem before they even consider breast augmentation surgery.  However, there are cases in which the patients show no particular reason why their breasts never developed normally; in general, these women are good candidates for plastic surgery.

But even if the underlying problem has been resolved, some patients with hypoplasia will not be able to form a normal breast unless they will undergo breast augmentation.  This is because the delicate breast bud, once damaged at an early age, may never recover and lead to underdeveloped bosom. 

Patients with breast hypoplasia have a chest with a juvenile appearance.  And because of lack of anatomical maturity, the condition will often affect the breastfeeding, although some women have normal or limited mammary function.    

While breast augmentation surgery can correct the aesthetic problem caused by hypoplasia, it cannot help women who have no breastfeeding ability and those who lack sensory responses in their breasts.  But at least the look and feel of their breasts will be normal, helping them to overcome emotional and psychological issues caused by aesthetically immature breasts.  

Because hypoplasia patients lack breast tissue, silicone breast implant is more ideal than the saline version because it can mimic the feel and look of natural breasts.  In addition, choosing this type of implant can reduce the risk of palpable and visible rippling.