Implants are used to make the breast larger or to restore/replace breast tissue. Factors such as pregnancy (when milk glands are temporarily enlarged), rapid weight loss, and the effects of gravity as you age combine to stretch the skin, which may cause the breast to droop or sag. However, it is important to realize that implants are used to make the breast larger. The implants alone may not adequately lift the breast, or correct the effects of pregnancy, weight loss, or skin stretching. Your surgeon may suggest additional procedures at the time of the breast augmentation, such as mastopexy, to help achieve improved breast lift.

This document covers information on:

1. Considering Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implant Surgery
2. Breast Implant Benefits and Risks
3. Surgical Considerations for Breast Augmentation
4. Follow-up Examinations
5. Allergan’s Clinical Study Results
6. Additional Information

A silicone gel-filled breast implant is a sac (implant shell) of silicone elastomer (rubber) filled with silicone gel. Allergan has approval for three types of silicone gel fillers: Responsive silicone gel, SoftTouch silicone gel, and Highly Cohesive silicone gel. Each gel filling varies in the amount of firmness it provides to the implant. Responsive silicone gel is the least firm gel and Highly Cohesive is the most firm gel offered. SoftTouch silicone gel has a firmness level that is in between that of the Responsive silicone gel and the Highly Cohesive silicone gel. This document focuses on round implants filled with each of the three gel types.