Allergan breast implants: description, pros and cons, reviews

Statistics show that about 70% of women want to change the shape, symmetry and size of their breasts. This dream is possible. The number of breast enlargement surgeries is growing every year. This is facilitated by the professionalism of surgeons and the high quality of mammary gland endoprostheses. More than 10 million women around the world already have the breasts of their dreams, enlarged with implants. The key to success and long-lasting aesthetic results is the correct choice of endoprosthesis. The undisputed market leader is Allergan implants.

Breast replacement

At all times, women have been willing to take risks for the sake of beauty. Attempts to improve breast shape through implantation of various substances began in 1895. Now it’s hard to imagine, but the following materials were used to enlarge the mammary glands:

• glass balls;
• rubber;
• Styrofoam;
• polyvinyl sponges;
• polyurethane;
• polyethylene tape;
• polyester foam.

All these materials were rejected by the body and led to the development of complications. Often after such experiments it was necessary to resort to removal of the mammary glands.

Everything changed in 1961, when American surgeons first installed silicone breast implants on a patient. Three years later, the French company Arion presented its version of the endoprosthesis. Its shell consisted of silicone, and inside it was a saline solution. This implant could be installed through a small incision. The fact is that filling with saline solution occurred after the endoprosthesis was placed in the mammary gland.

Modern implants are safe, biocompatible, with shape memory, sterile and very durable. They are a silicone bag with filler. There are the following types of fillers for endoprostheses:

1. Cohesive gel. In appearance it resembles jelly and is characterized by minimal sweating through the shell. The density of a woman's breast imitates perfectly.
2. Silicone liquid. The consistency is similar to vegetable oil.
3. Highly cohesive gel. Sweating through the shell is eliminated; its consistency resembles marmalade. It has a low degree of deformation and good shape memory.
4. Saline. Endoprostheses are not highly reliable. The salt gradually crystallizes and there is a risk that its crystals will damage the shell.
5. Soft touch gel. Sweating through the shell is eliminated. The consistency of the filler resembles jellied meat.
6. Soybean oil. Implants with this filler were first developed in 1995.

Implant manufacturer Allergan

A huge number of manufacturers of breast endoprostheses are represented on the aesthetic medicine market. The American company Allergan has held the leading position for many years. Most cosmetologist clients are well familiar with the products of this company. It produces some of the best injectable Juvederm implants and Botox.

Women who decide to give preference to implants can be confident in their safety and reliability. Allergan is committed to the safe use of its products. Their comprehensive monitoring is carried out at all stages of the life cycle. The company discloses full information not only about the benefits of its products, but also about the risks that they may pose.

Allergan implants are the most reliable. They feature a seven-layer shell, which reduces the likelihood of rupture to 0.5%. The barrier layer, created using a special technology, eliminates the diffusion of the gel, as it covers the implant 360 degrees.

The shell of the implants is textured, that is, rough to the touch. This allows the connective tissue to grow into the outer layer of the endoprosthesis and provide additional fixation. In addition, installing implants with a rough surface minimizes the risk of developing capsular contracture.

offers its customers, in addition to the highest quality and safety of its products, the widest size range of implants. This allows you to choose the desired shape and size even in the most difficult cases. Allergan produces endoprostheses of both anatomical and round shapes. Several types of gel are used as filler. A series of implants from Allergan is produced under the name Natrelle.

Round implants Natrelle Inspira

All implants that were produced until the early 90s were round in shape. They are no less popular now. Implants of this shape are the best solution in situations where it is necessary to correct breasts with severe ptosis and asymmetry. They are low cost and easy to install.

Round implants "Allergan" Natrelle Inspira are a masterpiece of the entire series. They are ideal for sagging breasts. They perfectly lift the chest, emphasizing the décolleté area.

Round implants are easy to install, which makes the surgeon’s work easier and reduces operating time. In addition, even if the round prosthesis is rotated inside the breast, asymmetry will not arise.

Allergan Natrelle Inspira series implants always guarantee excellent results, thanks to the following features:

• 250 options for prostheses, which differ in profile type, shell and filler.
• Unique Biocell texture. Allows you to minimize the risk of developing capsular contracture.
• Seven-layer shell. The risk of implant rupture is only 0.5%.
• A unique barrier layer that prevents filler diffusion.
• The prosthesis is filled with gel by 93% - this eliminates the possibility of contouring its edges under the skin.

Features of round implants for mammoplasty Natrelle™

Natrelle™ mammoplasty implants are the product of choice for most plastic surgeons as they allow them to achieve the best breast correction results. Natrelle™ products include implants of both round and anatomical shapes. Natrelle™ INSPIRA™ round implants have a number of characteristic features and advantages:

• they are optimally filled with gel, which minimizes ripping;
• the texture of BIOCELL™ implants ensures a minimal percentage of capsular contracture (1.9-5.6%);
• the implant shell consists of 7 layers, due to which the percentage of implant rupture is reduced to 0-1%;
• the INTRASHIEL™ barrier layer covers the implant 360º, and thus minimizes the diffusion of the gel.

It is also important to note that with Natrelle™ INSPIRA™ implants, the surgeon has a choice of 5 projection options (low, low plus, medium, high and extra high), 2 types of gel (Responsive and Soft Touch™), as well as 2 surface types ( Textured and Smooth).

Anatomical implants Natrelle

The appearance of anatomical implants resembles a drop. They are able to give the mammary gland the most natural shape. Thanks to this, its upper part has a smooth slope, and the lower part is well filled. In addition, in the area of ​​the upper pole there will be no unnatural bulges characteristic of round implants.

Allergan drop-shaped implants are able to remember their shape, as they are filled with a cohesive gel. It does not form folds on the surface and does not leak even if the prosthesis is damaged.

Anatomical implants from the Allergan concern are presented in several series. The most popular are "Natrelle Style 410 and 510". Only a surgeon can choose the most suitable of these options.

Natrelle Style 410 is available with two types of filler: highly cohesive or flowable gel. The latter has unique Soft Touch shape memory properties. The gel does not leak out if the prosthesis shell is damaged and does not form folds. This series is ideal for women with a narrow chest, thin physique and a thin layer of soft tissue. This series includes 240 different options, which differ in anatomical shape, height and filling.

Natrelle Style 510 was developed by the manufacturer together with leading plastic surgeons. As a result, an implant was created that has the following features:

1. Concave back surface. This ensures a better fit of the prosthesis.
2. A combination of dense and softer filler in one implant.

Don McGahn's research

In order to finally establish dominance in the market, to eliminate any doubts about the quality of implants of its own production, Don McGahn, the head of the company at the time of 2006, decided to once again test the brand’s products. The corporation's name, McGhan Medical, was smoothly transferred this year to Allergan Inc, and a new large-scale internal study of the practical “behavior” of endoprostheses in practice (in vivo, inside the body) was launched. The goal was to once again convince the public and FDA experts of the harmlessness of breast contouring silicone.

In the process of creating prostheses, various manufacturers have observed the usefulness of certain fillers: lipids, hyaluronic acid, hydrogels, polyethylene glycol. But only McGahn's company went through clinical trials to get approval (and blessing) from the FDA. In the history of silicone prostheses, McGan's testing is the most long-term and comprehensive in the last couple of decades.

Despite the fact that the harmlessness of prostheses has been practically and experimentally proven, debate on the topic continues. Research is also underway, but now in the direction of how McGan breast implants differ from the products of other companies. Let's take a closer look at the composition of the implant from an American manufacturer.

Natrelle implants are made by hand (shell) using grains of ordinary salt. Over the 10 years studied, almost five dozen plastic surgeons performed about a thousand prosthetic operations using McGahn 410 style implants. The surgeries were divided into primary breast augmentation (almost half), secondary breast augmentation (about 15 percent) and breast reconstruction (about a quarter of the total).

The operations were performed on women who usually seek the services of plastic surgeons. The age of the subjects is from 20 to 35, education is higher, secondary, social status is high. No significant research results were obtained. Doctors recorded various complications, collected data on women's satisfaction with the results of operations, and obtained figures so that they could be compared with statistics on prostheses of other brands.

In addition to these results, data were also obtained on reoperations and complications over a period of one and a half to five years. Inspections were performed regularly, at certain intervals, for ten years. As a result, the following figures were obtained: breast cancer in women undergoing breast augmentation surgery for the first time and repeatedly was observed in less than 1 percent of the total. Secondary reconstruction – with rates of 8 percent. As a result of the operations, half of the women's breasts increased by 50 percent, and a third - by 35 percent, which fully satisfied the needs for prosthetics. Only a third of the patients needed additional interventions, the purpose of which was to change the size or model of the implant, or restoration as a result of displacement of the prosthesis (from non-compliance with doctors’ instructions in the postoperative period). Other causes were scarring, ptosis, capsular contracture, slow wound healing, infection, and hematoma. This reason for repeated operations, when breast implants rupture, is recorded in only 8 percent of cases. In other surgical interventions, women were interested in changing the size of the prostheses.

McGan implants very rarely cause capsular contracture. This was confirmed by the French plastic surgeon, a famous specialist in the field of prosthetics, Alan Danino. Under a microscope, he studied the resulting capsules around McGann implants (Biocel, Siltex shells) and presented the facts: capsular contracture is rarely observed, since the ingrowth of gland tissue occurs deeply. This reduces tissue friction against the membrane and reduces the aggressive reaction from the body - the appearance of additional scarring - the main cause of encapsulation. McGan implants are harmless to health – researchers once again came to these results after 10 years of testing the company’s products. And Professor Per Heden published the results established by studying 410 McGahn style implants in 144 patients.

The Allergan Product Benefit

Allergan implants have successfully passed the most stringent tests and inspections. Their high quality and huge selection of options make them the market leader in plastic surgery. The advantages of implants are:

1. Barrier layer Intrashiel.
2. Shape memory.
3. Textured Biocell surface.
4. Special palpable marks that allow you to correctly install the prosthesis in the formed pocket.
5. A huge number of anatomical forms.
6. Various height and projection options.
7. Two types of filler combined in one product.
8. Lifetime warranty.
9. Endoprostheses from Allergan are approved for use by the US Federal Drug and Food Administration.

Reviews

Most women who decide to undergo mammoplasty prefer Allergan implants. Reviews confirm that patients are completely satisfied with their choice. Even 10 years after surgery, 98% of women say their breasts look great and retain their shape.

Girls who have resorted to changing the shape of the mammary glands say in reviews that the operation and rehabilitation period are easy. The implants cannot be felt, there is no feeling of artificiality, sensitivity is preserved. The scars fade and become completely invisible within six months after the operation.

McGahn implants - minimum risk

Testing gave a clear answer to the question about the safety of McGann implants. Natrelle implants do not interfere with breastfeeding, and if there are problems, they were there before prosthetics. The following figures indicate the positive effect of the operation on subsequent life. Allergan implants have had an impact on improving self-esteem and promoting well-being in nearly 90 percent of women. 75 percent have improved their sexual life, 70 percent lead an active lifestyle as before the operation, and 75 percent say that the operation did not worsen their health. Natrelle implants currently number 7,000 among those being researched by Mr. Headen. But no facts have been discovered about the dangers of implants. The patients themselves rated the results of operations on a five-point scale at almost 4.75 (on average).