Technically known as “ augmentation mammoplasty ,” breast augmentation is designed to surgically enhance breast size with breast iimplants, enlarge small or underdeveloped breasts, reshape breasts lacking in shape and fullness due to pregnancy, nursing or weight loss, balance breasts differing in size and shape, reduce breast that cause a burden or aesthetically unpleasant, and improve self-esteem and personal satisfaction.

Patients undergoing reconstructive surgery may be candidates for receiving the current version of the original (or regular) silicone gel implants - the very implants that were the subject of the short-lived 1992 FDA imposed moratorium. These silicone gel implants may also be available to women undergoing revisions of previous breast augmentations, or women undergoing breast augmentation surgery with breast lift surgery. They remain unavailable to all patients not described by the categories mentioned.

The placement of an implant is commonly referred to as ' overs' and ' unders ' which basically refers to the implant being placed over or under the pectoralis muscle.

When reading on the internet about implant placement it seems that the majority of women have implants placed partially under the muscle. This is probably as the majority of women had little breast tissue to begin with so this placement is recommended, but also that many surgeons prefer to use this method. Some surgeons prefer to place implants below the muscle as they feel the risk of capsular contracture is higher with placement above the muscle. However other surgeons say they see no more capsular contracture in their overs vs. unders and perform both placements regularly.