If you’ve had a chance to read the 3 part series on breast implants, I’ve got new and exciting information to add to the mix. If you haven’t already read the series, please start from the beginning and catch up on the basics of implant types, sizes, profiles, and shapes before moving on to this latest installment.
There’s a new and exciting implant option that just recently became available and I think it has enormous potential for patients!
What is a Capsule?
When an implant is placed in the body, the body recognizes it as “foreign” and develops an internal rim of scar tissue around the implant. This is referred to as a capsule. One of the risks of any implant surgery is that a patient may develop an overgrowth of scar tissue around their implant, which is called a capsular contracture. This can make an implant feel too firm or look too perky. In severe cases, it can even cause pain. It isn’t entirely clear why this develops in some patients, but we do know that it is likely due to an inflammatory process. This can happen in saline or silicone implants as well as smooth and textured implants.
How is a Motiva Implant Unique?
The FDA approved a new implant in October 2024 that is very exciting, as it seems to have a much lower risk of capsular contracture than the other implants on the market. This is the Motiva implant. It is a silicone implant that has a few unique features compared to other implants on the market. Most importantly in my mind is that it has a unique surface on it that’s neither smooth nor textured. They call it “SmoothSilk” and to me it feels like velvet. Research has shown that this surface material creates much less inflammation in the body and, as a result, the capsule that develops around these implants is much thinner and softer than with most implants. The risk of capsular contracture in these implants is also significantly lower than with other implants.
Another potential benefit of these implants is that their silicone filling material is adherent to the outer shell of the implant, so the whole implant moves as one unit. I feel like this gives the implant a really nice and natural feel and seems to have less significant rippling (wrinkles in the implant that a patient may see or feel). This unique design may also have an additional benefit. One risk of any implant is that it may leak. When a leak occurs, it’s usually due to wear and tear over time. The Motiva implant, because it moves as a unified structure in the breast, may have less stress on it over time and leak less frequently.
Is It Okay that the Motiva Implant is Brand New in the United States?
Even though the Motiva implant just got FDA approval in the U.S. in October 2024, it has been widely used in Europe and South America since 2010. There is a lot of clinical experience with this implant in other parts of the world with good research behind it supporting is safety and beautiful results.
Is the Motiva Implant Right for Everyone?
No. There’s no single implant that’s going to work for every patient. These implants are available in many different size and profile options but some of the large size implants aren’t available under this brand. I also have concerns that this implant may not be a good option for patients with very poor skin elasticity, as their tissue may not be able to support the weight of an implant on their own, so having a thicker capsule may support the implant better and actually be a benefit.
I’m excited to be one of the few plastic surgeons in the Chicago area to be offering this option to my patients.
If you are interested in scheduling your consultation with Dr. Peters, please call us at 708-524-1400 or fill out our contact form today.
