Does breast implant manufacturer matter?
One breast augmentation consultation had a surgeon talking up mentor implants. Another was suggesting Natrelle implants. I read both mentor and Natrelle websites and can't tell a difference. Can a plastic surgeon help me understand the differences, if any?
Asked by: ClaireB in Orange County
Answers (7)
Make Sure Your Surgeon has a Relationship with the Manufacturer
I would agree with the above posters that there probably isn't a big difference between the two companies. I prefer to exclusively use one, because it allows me an opportunity to develop a strong relationship with that company. This can give me better pricing (and this lower pricing can be passed to the patient), a greater sense of comfort with their products, and the ability to interact with the manufacturer in the best interests of my patients. If the surgeon uses a bit of both (and especially if the surgeon doesn't do many breast augmentations) then there is a slight risk the best and most appropriate implant may not be used for you.
The implants are a bit different in shape and feel.
Hello,
Each manufacturer has a bit different shape for implants on a given "line." I let patient dimensions help me choose the implant for that lady. Every surgeon will have his or her own forumla.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
The manufacturer doesn't matter, your doctor does.
Both currently approved manufacturers(Mentor and Allergan) provide excellent products. Each doctor has their own preference based upon results, leakage and customer service.
As long as you choose a reliable, board certified Plastic Surgeon, you should be fine. Make sure you see many pre and post of photos. You may also request to speak with some patients. Remember, they will not direct you to speak with an unhappy patient.
Make sure you fill out your warranty information after surgery. It will provide you with implant replacement guarantee and financial coverage if surgery is needed in the future.
Not in the eyes of the FDA
Both current implant manufacturers in the United States have received FDA approval (with restrictions) to market and sell their implants. This essentially means that both types of implant are safe and effective. Let your board certified plastic surgeon make the decision for you. If he/she obtains good, safe results with either brand of implant, that should be your only concern. Good luck.
Much more difference between surgeons than implants
I personally prefer Mentor implants but believe that the other products are probable equally well manufactured. The difference in your final result will be far more impacted by whom you choose to do your surgery and by whether you have gel or saline than by which manufacturer your doctor prefers.
Pick your surgeon, not your implant manufacturer.
Both the leading implant manufacturers, Mentor and Allergan (Natrelle), make quality products. Good results can be achieved with either. What is important, is not the implant itself, but the surgeon performing the operation.
In the past I have used both products, and now use one almost exclusively. The reason for this is the relationship I have with the manufacturer and its representative who I deal with on a very frequent basis. In turn, this relationship will benefit my patients, because of the service offered to me, and to them. I suspect that this is the main reason most surgeons will pick one manufacturer over the other.
Having looked at the data on each of their products, I am hard pressed to say that there is an appreciable difference in one over the other when it comes to results. The biggest difference is in the surgeon placing the implant, not the implant itself.
So, choose your surgeon wisely. Make sure they are board-certified plastic surgeons and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Make sure that they take the time to listen to you and understand the results you are trying to achieve. Once you find the physician you are comfortable with you should trust his/her judgment about which implant company works the best for them.
The brand differences in breast implant devices are minimal
For the current generation of silicone breast implants on the US market, both the Mentor and Allergan products are similar. In large population studies that were used in the November 2006 FDA approval of both silicone devices, there were small differerences in the rate of capsular contracture, implant infection, implant failure and revisional surgery.
I don't think either of devices differs strongly enough from its competitor to make a specific recommendation one way or the other. I personally only use Mentor devices, simply because its the device manufacturer that I used in my plastic surgery training. There are some 'new' generation silicone devices that are 'form stable' or 'shaped' that will come to market very soon, and you might see some differences between the two major manufacturers.
Everything I've read about these new form-stable devices appears to show that the rate of capsular contracture and device failure is substantially lower than the devices we currently have. I'm looking forward to using the new form-stable implants, as I know the other surgeons on this forum are as well.
Scott Sattler MD FACS
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