Breast Implant Basics
Jamie, Actual Sientra Patient
Breast Implant Basics
Jamie, Actual Sientra Patient
See the Shape You’ve Always Wanted
There are many decisions to make when selecting the right implant for your body and desired outcome. Below are some initial terms and topics you’ll want to be familiar with going into discussions with your surgeon.
what’s a “highly cohesive” silicone gel implant?
Referenced by some as a “gummy bear” implant, because the highly cohesive silicone gel inside resembles the inside of a gummy bear candy. Cohesive gel implants are available in varying levels of cohesivity which determines the implant’s overall feel.
Round vs. Teardrop Shape Implants
Round breast implants are the most commonly used implant type in the U.S. They offer more lift and fullness overall, especially in the upper portion of the breast. Sientra round implants are available in either a smooth or textured surface. Teardrop shaped implants offer a more gentle contour in the upper portion and fullness in the lower portion of the breast, below the nipple. Shaped implants are only available in textured surface.
What’s the difference between macrotextured and microtextured implants?
Textured breast implant shells are not all the same. They vary in their degree of “roughness.” More rough and aggressive shell surfaces have been classified as macrotextured. Sientra’s textured shell has been classified as a microtexture due to its less aggressive, finer surface.5 Sientra’s microtextured surface has been reported to have a lower incidence of BIA-ALCL (cancer of the immune system) than all other U.S. implant brands.5,6
Smooth vs. Microtextured Implants
The shell of an implant is designed to hold the gel in place. It can either be smooth or textured. Smooth implants are round and can move naturally with the breast tissue. Teardrop shaped implants also move with the breast tissue but feature a microtextured shell surface.5 The less aggressive surface acts as a gentle anchor to keep the implant in place and is designed to minimize rotation. OPUS implants are shown to have low complication rates.2
Implant Projection
The projection of an implant refers to how much it projects forward from the chest wall. The most common implant profiles include low, moderate, moderate plus, high, and Xtra high.
Round Implants | 5 Projection Levels
low projection
moderate projection
moderate plus projection
high projection
xtra high projection
Teardrop Shape Implants | 2 Projection Levels
moderate projection
high projection
Implant Volume/Fullness
The volume of a breast implant is measured in cubic centimeters (cc’s) not in bra cup sizes. The higher the cc, the larger the implant. Together with your board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ll choose which implant size is right for you, proportional and balanced for your body type to deliver the aesthetic look you desire.
Are silicone gel breast implants safe?
Yes. But when it comes to patient safety, not all implants are created equal. Sientra’s 10-year FDA-required clinical study – the largest breast implant study of its kind – revealed unrivaled safety and clinical results.3
1,116 Patients Enrolled | Evaluated for 10 Years
*(primary augmentation cohort)
As with any surgery, complications do exist. It’s important to understand the risks and familiarize yourself with the differences across implant brands. When it comes to patient safety, there are clear differences across implant brands.
Choosing Your Surgeon
You’ll want to choose a surgeon you feel comfortable with and whose work you admire. But you’ll also want to be sure they are board-certified. This ensures they have completed the highest level of training, are most qualified to perform your surgery, and troubleshoot any complications that may arise.
Sientra is the only silicone gel breast implant brand to sell exclusively to board-certified plastic surgeons. You can trust that only the most trained and most qualified surgeons use our implants.
What’s the difference between saline & silicone?
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They are inserted into the body empty and filled once inside. If an implant shell leaks, the implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed by the body.
Silicone implants are already filled with a highly cohesive gel, prior to insertion. They are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural breast tissue and to maintain their shape over time. If the shell of a silicone implant tears, the cohesive gel is designed to remain inside.