Motiva breast implants vs. other implant brands
Our team of Specialist Plastic Surgeons aim to use and offer reputable breast implant brands available in Australia for Breast Augmentation (mammoplasty) surgery.
To help assist the customisation of breast surgery, we insist upon reliably manufactured breast implants that meet Australian regulatory standards. These types of breast prostheses are monitored by medical device approval organisations.
Interestingly, one of the fast-growing brands of breast prosthesis for breast augmentation mammoplasty is the Motiva brand. Motiva was approved for use in Australia in 2016 and has become a widely used prosthesis by many surgeons performing breast augmentation mammoplasty procedures.
In this article, we explore the key differences between Motiva Breast Implants and some other implant brands, and why they may be a suitable option for your Breast Augmentation mammoplasty procedure.
What makes Motiva implants different?
Motiva Breast Implants are medical-grade silicone implants with a specially designed form and texture. The manufacturer’s vision is to exceed current quality standards for breast implants. To achieve this, their product has been extensively tested in three major areas – chemically, physically and biologically. Materials used in the implants are produced by one of the largest silicone manufacturers with over 30 years of experience.
Motiva claims that their silicone implants have the potential to adapt to the individual while maintaining their shape over time. This means they may be a good option if you lead a very athletic, active lifestyle.
- Motiva implants have a slight purple colouring
- They come with an electronic chip device to enable future medical scanning for product type/model and size.
- The device helps your future medical team to track the type, size and brand of implant used.
- This is extremely helpful when it comes to re-operation or revision surgery.
- Patients have a choice as to whether they join the database, however, many find it useful for medical record keeping.
Motiva has gained a solid reputation among Breast Augmentation mammoplasty patients who have had troubles with other styles of implants in the past or are looking to have revision or removal and replacement surgery.
They are also a popular choice for women wanting a ‘mini breast augmentation mammoplasty‘ (smaller breast implants to suit a slight frame or the physique of a very active, athletic woman).
What are the price differences between Motiva and other brand implant brands?
Most breast prosthesis manufacturers, such as Mentor and Motiva, have a slightly similar pricing structure. With that being said, you can expect some variation in cost.
The difference can typically range anywhere from $300 to $1000 for the implants themselves. This price excludes other fees such as surgery, hospital and surgeon fees, and anaesthetist charges.
Patients are often willing to pay more for a carefully designed style of breast prosthesis manufactured in a sterile environment with a cohesive gel structure.
Are Motiva Implants available in Australia?
Yes, our Melbourne Clinic is able to offer surgery patients the Motiva manufactured brand implants.
Spiran (the manufacturer of Motiva), only offers Motiva implants to genuinely qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons. They will not supply their implants to Cosmetic or General Surgeons who do not have the qualifications, experience or training of a Specialist Breast Surgeon.
Motiva specialists are available at most of the advanced training courses attended by Australia’s Breast Surgeons, including our committed team at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery.
What goes into the making of a silicone breast implant?
Most modern breast implants are made of cohesive gels. This type of breast prosthesis has been around since the 3rd generation of implants became available. We are now in the 5th and 6th generations of breast implants in terms of changes to manufacturing, sterilisation and patient-safety standards.
Cohesive gel implants are often referred to as having a ‘gummy bear’ consistency or feel. The structure of this type of implant means that if it were to be cut, punctured or otherwise injured (ruptured), the gel would tend to stay in place.
Cohesive gel implants are available in a range of varying consistencies, thicknesses and levels of durability.
Are cohesive gel breast implants better?
The consistency of implant gels has changed in recent decades, with the introduction of cohesive gel. This type of gel appears to stay together even when damaged by a rupture or significant trauma to the breast. However, risks are present with any kind of implant, and you should always discuss this with your provider. In the case of cohesive gel implants:
- Even if the shell (the outer casing) of the gel-like substance is damaged, the gel is cohesive, so it is less likely to leak out.
- Gel-based implants can also feel and look softer.
- This, however, can also be the result of the implant size and placement technique of your chosen Surgeon.
Is there a slightly reduced risk of Capsular Contracture with Motiva implants?
Whilst researching Breast Augmentation mammoplasty surgery, you will likely read about the risk of capsular contracture or ‘caps con’, which may impact some patients.
The risk of capsular contracture, requiring reoperation, is a factor to consider when considering Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty Surgery. It is best to do your homework prior to surgery so that you fully understand the risks involved. You should also discuss surgical risks with your chosen Specialist Breast Surgeon.
Motiva researchers claim their specially designed implants may slightly reduce the risks of Capsular Contracture. We can’t affirm this potential benefit of Motiva implants in terms of complication risks as research is ongoing.
However, manufacturers report high patient satisfaction rates with Motiva implants. It is a good idea to keep your eye on any related research.
Infections or inflammation, if they occur, may lead to capsular contracture or other difficulties and may result in needing the breast implants removed or replaced.
Will Motiva implants rupture less readily than other implants?
What is a breast implant rupture?
- A rupture occurs in a breast implant when the outer shell or casing of the internal substance becomes damaged in some way.
- The age of the implant (in terms of how long it has been inserted) may be linked with a higher risk of needing breast implant removal and replacement.
- However, not everyone wants to remove their implants if everything is going fine.
Depending on the type or brand of breast implant used, there may be the potential for the implant to spill out to surrounding tissues. Fortunately, research indicates a significantly lower incidence of ruptures and impacts when quality modern implants are used in comparison to earlier breast implant models (1st or 2nd generation rather than 3rd). However, there is still some amount of risk of implant rupture even with modern implants.
Are Motiva implants less likely to rupture?
- Ruptures and leakages have been reported amongst certain implants, such as ‘single lumen’, several years ago in Australia.
- However, today’s brands, known as ‘third-generation implants,’ have been engineered to try to reduce this risk.
- Steps taken to reduce the risk of rupture include the use of cohesive gel technology and a minimal-handling 14 step patient safety guide for the insertion of breast implants by a Plastic Surgeon.
- The force at the breaking of today’s standard implants is four times above the required amount decided by the ASTM
- In scientific tests on the strength of the impact, the Motiva Implants rupture rate falls below 0.1%.
To address the potential risks of infection, tests showed the levels of endotoxins on Motiva breast implants before sterilisation was only 1% of the maximum value. This suggests the implant adheres to standards of cleanliness and sterilisation.
With Motiva implants, the insertion process focuses (with likely but never completely guaranteed success) on sterilisation across every step of the procedure:
- The implant is only placed into the breast pocket (body) after sterilisation and during the surgical procedure.
- The standards used for this type of testing were based on the U.S. and European Pharmacopoeias.
- Sterilisation during manufacturing is important to Motiva, and the manufacturers report adhering to very high standards.
The low level of endotoxins reported by Motiva’s researchers may relate to the fact that, unlike other brands, salt/sugar is not used to texture the implant shell.
Motiva Implants, Silk Surface and Velvet Surface are made with bio-compatible materials which don’t contain salt or sugar. Thee manufacturers believe this will help to reduce some complication risks.
Therefore, sterilization processes at your Hospital theatre remain a crucial factor in patient safety during an operation. As mentioned, all procedures and implants come with risks, and it’s important to mitigate these risks as much as possible. Don’t risk overseas cosmetic surgery tourism or flying just after having surgery.
What brand of implants should I choose?
Choosing a brand of breast implant to use for your augmentation mammoplasty procedure is a personal choice, guided by your Plastic Surgeon.
There is rarely a ‘one type or one brand’ for everyone, and there is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to custom Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty.
Your chosen Surgeon will often opt for implants they have used extensively before. Be wary of Surgeons who aren’t willing to disclose what brand they use, or provide any research on suggested brands. Good Surgeons will happily explain their experience with implant brands and share why they prefer one brand over another.
We recommend opting for brands that are legally approved for use in Australia (such as Motiva and Mentor). It is also important to conduct your own research and ask for your Surgeon’s advice. At Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery, we offer both Motiva and Mentor brands of breast implants.
You be the judge to decide what’s best for you, your lifestyle and your body.
What else should you consider before undergoing a Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty?
There are choices, other than implant brand and type, you will need to consider when choosing to undergo Breast Augmentation mammoplasty surgery:
- Profile and size of the breast implant
- Position of implant e.g. submuscular, sub-glandular or dual plant
- Level of breast ptosis and whether the skin can handle the weight of the implant without bottoming out (do you require an Augmentation (mammoplasty), a Breast Lift (mastopexy) or a combined procedure?)
- The lifetime of your implants; silicone-filled implants are not expected to last an entire lifetime and may require removal and replacement or removal.
- There is a chance that breast surgery could interfere with breastfeeding; be sure to take this into consideration
Further Reading about Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty
- Find out more about:
- A Breast Lift with Implants Melbourne by Dr Craig Rubinstein (mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty)
