Allergen Implants: is this brand still considered high risk?

Question

Are these safe to use? Is this brand still considered high risk? If a doctor only uses this brand in his office. Can I ask for a different brand?

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

- Allergan's smooth round silicone implants and their saline implants are perfectly safe and widely used. 
- You may be thinking of their textured implants that were taken off of the market due to concerns about BI-ALCL. BI-ALCL stands for Breast Implant associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.  A few hundred women around the world have been diagnosed with this rare form of lymphoma, and it appears to be related to the textured surface of these implants. Therefore, Allergan removed these textured implants from their product line. 
-No women who have received only smooth round silicone implants placed for breast augmentation have developed BI-ALCL. 
-So, in answer to your question, Allergan's implants are not considered high risk.

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, the smooth Allergan implants are safe and FDA approved. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear CU5,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Allergan is one of two companies that have made excellent implants for many years, including the 1990's and 2000's when other implant companies had dissolved.  These implants are FDA approved and are made safely, and are from an American company.  The textured implants were recalled, but none of the other implants.

Allergen Implants: is this brand still considered high risk?

Answers (4)

Answer: Allergan

Answer: Allergan

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Allergen Implants: is this brand still considered high risk?

Answers (4)

Answer: Allergan

Answer: Allergan

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.