Difference Between Breast Augmentation And Breast Implants
Breast augmentation and breast implants are not the same. Breast augmentation refers to a cosmetic surgery while breast implant refers to a prosthetic device. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that involves increasing the volume or size of breasts for cosmetic purposes. Implants are artificial body parts used as replacement for one’s own body parts.
In this guide, we review the Difference Between Breast Augmentation And Breast Implants, what is breast augmentation surgery cost, breast augmentation risks, and long term effects of breast implants.
Difference Between Breast Augmentation And Breast Implants
The first difference between breast augmentation and breast implants is that they are not the same. Breast augmentation refers to a cosmetic surgery while breast implant refers to a prosthetic device.
Breast augmentation is also known as bust enhancement, breast enlargement or just simply enhancement. It can be done through either fat transfer or silicon implantation.
A lot of women who opt for this procedure have an idea of what they want their final result to look like but don’t know how it will happen exactly because the surgery has multiple steps including injections with saline solution, fat grafting and several weeks after you’ve recovered from your initial procedure you would need additional surgeries for implanting your silicone gel filled implants into your chest area if you want them there because sometimes women prefer having them inside their pectoral muscles which tends to give them more natural results compared to placing them under the muscle tissue where it may cause some discomfort while exercising because it prevents blood flow which could lead towards bruising hence making it uncomfortable when doing any type of physical activity such as running etcetera but nonetheless whichever method works best for each individual case doesn’t matter much as long as she’s happy with her decision then everything else becomes secondary!
Breast augmentation is a procedure which involves the use of implants or fat tissue to increase the size of your breasts.
Breast augmentation is a procedure which involves the use of implants or fat tissue to increase the size of your breasts.
Breast implants are synthetic prosthesis that are placed behind the breast tissue, usually under the pectoralis major muscle. The implant is then filled with cohesive gel (solid silicone), saline-filled solution, or some combination thereof, depending on your desired look and comfort level. The implant will be placed underneath your chest muscles to give you more volume and fullness in your breasts. Breast augmentation can also be done using autologous fat transfer where excess fat from other parts of your body such as hips or thighs is removed by liposuction and transferred into breast tissues during surgery
Whereas, breast implants are prosthetic devices placed under the chest muscles or breasts to enhance the shape, enlarge and improve the firmness of breasts.
Whereas, breast implants are prosthetic devices placed under the chest muscles or breasts to enhance the shape, enlarge and improve the firmness of breasts. These devices are made of silicone gel or saline and can be used to correct breast asymmetry, enhance the shape and size of breasts.
You can choose between different types of breast augmentation based on your body type, desired results and budget. The most common types include:
- Saline implants – This type is filled with sterile saltwater solution that has been injected into a silicone shell. It is best suited for women who want to get rid of loose skin after losing weight or having children; however it’s not recommended for women with dense bodies as it may have adverse effects such as rippling or even rupturing during surgery.* Silicone gel-filled implants – This option has a silicone shell filled with a thick gel that mimics natural breast tissue.* Memory form implant – With this type you can adjust them once they’re put in place so if your size changes later on down the line then you just need to go back into hospital again so they can be removed from their shells before being refilled with saline solution at your chosen level (which will cost extra).
If you need to know about breast implant then continue reading this article, if you already know about it and want to know about some other cosmetic surgery then we recommend you to check out our article on tummy tuck cost NYC.
As you may already know, breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery. This procedure involves the use of implants or fat tissue to increase the size of your breasts. The results can be permanent or temporary depending on how it’s done and what materials are used during surgery. If you want to know more about breast implant then continue reading this article, if you already know about it and want to know about some other cosmetic surgery then we recommend you to check out our article on tummy tuck cost NYC.
The main difference between breast augmentation and breast implants is that breast augmentation refers to a cosmetic surgery while breast implant refers to an artificial prosthesis that is used in the cosmetic surgery called breast augmentation.
The main difference between breast augmentation and breast implants is that breast augmentation refers to a cosmetic surgery while breast implant refers to an artificial prosthesis that is used in the cosmetic surgery called breast augmentation.
Breast implants are also known as boob job, which is a procedure to increase the size of breasts by inserting saline or silicone gel-filled sacs beneath the pectoral muscles (pectoralis major). This procedure can be performed on women who want larger but natural looking breasts or girls who have lost their fullness after pregnancy or weight loss.
what is breast augmentation surgery cost
If you’re thinking about breast augmentation, you’re probably feeling a potpourri of emotions—excited yet overwhelmed by information, curious about your options yet nervous about making the right choices.
Paying for breast augmentation is, luckily, easier than many patients think due to financing options you can use to break most of your costs down into monthly payments. However, you are smart to research market prices before your consultation! Knowing what costs you’ll be looking at will help you weed out any providers offering suspiciously low-cost procedures—a serious red flag—and help you set realistic expectations for finances so you can focus on what matters most: your safety, your procedure, and your results.
How much do breast implants cost in 2022?
At our Little Rock office, the all-inclusive cost of breast augmentation in 2022 starts at $4679 for saline-filled breast implants and $5767 for our standard silicone gel-filled implants. The total cost of the procedure includes costs like surgeon’s fees or facility fees, and may be higher based on the details of your surgical plan, i.e. if you need a breast lift or correction of tuberous breasts included in your procedure.
Online cost estimates vs. personalized cosmetic surgeon quotes
While online estimates are helpful, it can be tricky to understand exact pricing prior to a consultation. The Aesthetic Society estimates that the national average surgeon’s fee alone is $4,866, while RealSelf estimates the average breast augmentation cost, including surgeon’s fee, operating room, and anesthesia fees, at $6,550. This difference emphasizes the importance of getting a complete, formal fee quote: surgeon’s fees alone can be misleading, and you may need related procedures to achieve your desired result. Thus, the best way to get a true sense of what your breast augmentation will cost is to meet with a cosmetic surgeon and request a formal quote.
After meeting with a cosmetic surgeon in a personalized consultation, you will receive a customized fee quote for the procedure that will meet your goals.
Where you live may affect the cost of breast augmentation
Pricing will also vary according to locale; expect surgeons in areas with a high cost of living to have charges at the top end of national ranges, while here in Little Rock, we can offer more reasonable pricing. Pricing that seems too low in comparison with other cosmetic surgeons in a given area is often a red flag: if an all-inclusive price seems too good to be true, it is likely you will be compromising in terms of surgeon experience or your overall safety, both of which can lead to additional, more costly procedures.
Choose your surgeon based on experience, not price
Instead of focusing on price alone, look for a surgeon who holds specific training in cosmetic surgery, has many years of experience, operates in an accredited surgical suite, and has a clear track record of many happy patients before you. You are investing in you, and spending a bit more is worth getting beautiful, safe results you can enjoy for a decade or more!
If an all-inclusive price seems too good to be true, it is likely you will be compromising in terms of surgeon experience or your overall safety, both of which can lead to additional, more costly procedures.
Can I pay for breast augmentation in monthly installments?
Yes, you can finance up to 80% of your procedure costs and pay in monthly installments through the companies Advance Care or CareCredit® at our Little Rock cosmetic surgery practice. Both companies accept convenient online applications. (At your consultation, we will provide you with an itemized fee quote that is fully customized based on the personal procedure plan that you and Dr. Branman developed.)
How long does breast surgery take? Does a longer procedure cost more?
Breast augmentation surgery itself takes about 1-2 hours to complete and is typically performed under general anesthesia. If you need additional corrective shaping procedures, such as a breast lift, your operation may take somewhat longer and your fees will reflect that—but you will know ahead of time if that is the case.
How many women have to get a second boob job? Does implant replacement cost more than your first augmentation?
The Aesthetic Society estimates that 109,619 women had their implants replaced in 2020. (That’s compared to 252,022 women who had their first breast augmentation procedure that year, according to the same report.) The reasons that women have their implants replaced include a change in their bodies or aesthetic tastes, a desire to switch implant fill material, correction of capsular contracture, and (less commonly) treating cases of breast implant rupture.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, so it is safe to assume you will have another breast surgery one day. On the other hand, it is a myth that you need to replace your breast implants every 10 years. If you are happy with how your implants look and you have no symptoms of rupture, another surgery is not recommended just because you have had your implants for a certain number of years.
Breast implant replacement and correction surgeries typically cost somewhat more than an initial augmentation procedure, as they are highly individualized and more likely to include a breast lift. But the cost is still typically manageable, especially with financing options.
Visit Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock for breast augmentation expertise & experience
When it comes to your surgery, don’t compromise! If you are in the Little Rock area, choose experienced, double board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman. As a member of the Arkansas state medical board with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Branman understands your concerns and takes every measure to ensure your safety, comfort, and happiness during your breast augmentation journey. To begin, call our friendly staff 501.227.0707 or contact us through this online form today.
breast augmentation risks
There are two general types of breast implants available in the U.S. — saline and silicone gel. Both consist of a silicone outer shell; the difference is what’s inside the implants.
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants were first introduced in 1962. During the 1980s, the popularity of silicone gel breast implants surged, but so did accounts of their supposed risks. Many people claimed there was a link between ruptured silicone gel implants and a greater risk of immunological disorders (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other conditions). Some women reported that their symptoms went away after the implants were removed. Some filed lawsuits against implant manufacturers.
While no studies established a firm connection, the FDA looked into the issue and, in 1992, restricted the use of silicone gel breast implants to women having reconstruction after surgery for breast cancer. For the next 14 years, women who wanted breast augmentation had to use saline breast implants.
In 2006, after reviewing research and finding no connection between silicone gel implants and disease, the FDA approved the sale of certain silicone gel breast implants.
Which Breast Implants Are Safer?
According to the current research, there aren’t significant differences in the safety of silicone gel and saline implants. But each type of breast implant has its pros and cons.
Because the FDA has received new information about the risks of breast implants, it is recommending a boxed warning and a patient decision checklist be part of the labeling for these devices to ensure the risks are understood by patients that allows them to make a well-informed decision. The FDA has recommended updates to the silicone gel-filled breast implant rupture screening recommendations and provision of patient device cards. Those cards include the device’s serial or lot number, style and size, unique device identifier (UDI), and a Toll-free phone number to the breast implant manufacturer.It is recommended that you have periodic imaging (e.g., MRI, ultrasound) of your silicone gel filled breast implants to screen for implant rupture regardless of whether your implants are for cosmetic augmentation or reconstruction. These recommendations do not replace other additional imaging that may be required depending on your medical history or circumstances (i.e., screening mammography for breast cancer).
What Are the Risks With Breast Implants?
While studies have not found evidence that breast implants, either silicone gel or saline, are connected with serious disease, there are still risks. There are also long-term implications. Here are some of the breast implant safety issues that you need to consider.
The need for further surgeries. Over time, breast implants wear out and need to be replaced. How long do breast implants last? There’s no definitive answer. In general, rupture becomes more likely as breast implants age. The FDA estimates that breast implants should last at least ten years. Studies have shown that some breast implants last much longer than that and others much less.Rupture isn’t the only problem that requires surgery. Over time, breast implants can change shape. One breast might start to look very different from the other. Sometimes, the tissue around the implant hardens, a condition called capsular contracture. Surgery is the only way to fix capsular contracture.If you get breast implants and want to maintain your breast size and shape for the rest of your life, you should be prepared to have a number of additional surgeries. The surgery to replace an implant is not as involved as the original procedure. However, the risk of complications is actually higher. In addition, insurance rarely pays for these revision surgeries.
Irreversibility. Breast implants may permanently alter your breast tissue. If you decide to have the implants removed, your breasts may not return to the shape they had before the surgery. Your breasts may stay dimpled or wrinkled.
Changes in appearance and sensation. Breast implants can cause a loss of sensation in the breast and nipple, as well as pain. They can sometimes result in excessive scarring and wrinkling.
Associated health problems. Some studies have found associations between breast implants and certain health conditions. Disturbingly, several studies have found an increased risk of alcoholism, drug abuse, and suicide in women with breast implants. However, experts generally don’t think that the breast implants are the cause of these problems. Instead, they suspect that a small minority of women who get breast implants also have underlying psychological problems that can lead to substance abuse or suicide. If you’re concerned, discuss the issue with your doctor.
Surgical complications. Like any surgery, getting breast implants poses risks. Some women have surgical infections, bleeding, and swelling.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIAALCL), BIA-ALCL is a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The most common symptoms are persistent swelling, presence of a mass or pain in the area of the breast implant that may occur years after implant placement. An individual’s risk of developing BIA-ALCL is considered to be low. Researchers are investigating these symptoms to better understand their origins.
Breast implant illness (BII). The term “breast implant illness”, are symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, rash, “brain fog,” and joint pain that have been reported by some women with breast implants. At this time, it’s unclear whether these symptoms are a result of the implants.
Other issues. Some studies suggest that breast implants can make breastfeeding more difficult or impossible. They may prevent a woman from producing milk. Breast implants can also interfere with the accuracy of mammograms that screen for breast cancer.
Choosing Breast Implants
Deciding whether or not to get breast implants — either for reconstruction or augmentation — is not easy. There are a lot of things you have to weigh.
Keep in mind that studies show that most of the 300,000 women who get breast implants each year are satisfied with them. While many women are still concerned about long-term health risks, research has generally not found an association between breast implants and serious disease.
Perhaps the most important thing is to develop realistic expectations. Find a doctor you really trust and can talk frankly and openly with. Make sure that you understand the risks of breast implants. Make sure you understand the best and worst case scenarios. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in your decision.
long term effects of breast implants.
Breast augmentation remains one of the most common and popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., and it has a low risk of complications – the most common being breast pain, changes in nipple and breast sensation, scar tissue formation, and rupture and deflation.
However, a small number of women experience a compilation of symptoms that has come to be known as breast implant illness, or BII. Though we are still learning about BII, and it is not a formal diagnosis, several new studies are investigating potential causes for the symptoms, which are wide-ranging and very real.
More than 100 symptoms have been associated with BII. Some of the most common include:
Breast implant illness has become more widely known in the last couple decades as patients have increasingly shared their stories on social media. In April 2022, retired race car driver Danica Patrick posted on Instagram about her struggles with BII and her decision to have her breast implants removed.
While it can be comforting to find a community of people with similar symptoms as you, unfortunately, sometimes these channels help spread misinformation or unnecessary fear.
Many patients with BII symptoms can find relief without having to remove their breast implants. In some cases, the cause of symptoms is an underlying condition that affects the immune system or hormone production.
If you develop unexplained symptoms that you suspect may stem from your breast implants, talk with a board certified plastic surgeon. We will listen to you and try to determine what the cause of your symptoms are and connect you with specialists if need be.
Determining the cause of your symptoms
Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.
Because so many BII symptoms are associated with other conditions, it’s important to rule out causes unrelated to the breast implants. For example, many similar symptoms are associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Lyme disease. Hypothyroidism, menopause, and fibromyalgia also can cause symptoms similar to those of BII.
Our goals in diagnosis are to determine the cause of your symptoms and to make a plan to resolve those issues at the source. In some women, the implants themselves prove to be the issue, such as if the implant or tissues surrounding it stiffen, or if the implant ruptures. For many more, an underlying condition is the culprit.
Diagnosis starts with a conversation about what triggers your symptoms and the extent to which they interfere with your quality of life. From there, we may refer you to a specialist in areas such as:
If the specialists find an underlying condition, unrelated to your breast implants, treatment for that condition should relieve or eliminate your symptoms. If no underlying conditions are found, we’ll discuss potential next steps, such as removing your implants.
Deciding whether to remove your breast implants
Choosing to remove your breast implants is just as big a decision as it was to get them, and yet more women made that decision in 2021 than in previous years. According to statistics from The Aesthetic Society, 148,000 women had implants removed and replaced (up 32% from 2020), and 71,000 had their implants removed and not replaced (up 47%), though it’s unclear what role if any BII played in the increase.
If you’re unhappy with the size or shape of your implants, or if you’ve developed a complication such as capsular contracture – the formation of hard, stiff scar tissue around the implant – the decision to remove them may reduce your symptoms.
But if you are satisfied with your appearance and your symptoms are systemic, rather than directly associated with the breasts, the decision can be more difficult. Even if BII symptoms resolve after implant removal, adjusting to changes in your appearance can be challenging.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss all options with you to help you make the best decision.
Clearing up common myths related to BII
There are many websites and social media groups dedicated to breast implant illness. And it’s not unusual for patients to tell us they read or saw something that worries them in one of these communities. We’d like to address a couple of the more common concerns.
Sagging skin after implant removal: There are a lot of people who post photos of themselves after having their implants removed. These photos are usually of women who had very large – 400cc or 500cc – implants removed, leaving excessive, sagging skin behind. Images like these can cause unnecessary anxiety.
Transferring fat to the breast from elsewhere in the body can help restore some volume after implant removal. Though your breasts likely will not be as full as they were with implants, this process can provide a pleasing appearance and a less dramatic transition.
“Only one right” way to remove implants: There are several methods to safely remove breast implants:
However, many social communities say that only specific procedures – notably en-bloc capsulectomy – will eliminate BII symptoms. This is untrue, and there are situations in which that procedure could cause more problems. For example, if the capsule is stuck to the chest wall, taking it all out could cause a pneumothorax, or air to leak into the space between the lungs and chest wall. In this case, we can take out most of the capsule and cauterize the patch that’s against the ribcage.
Additionally, removing the capsule and implant together (en-block) may require a longer incision, especially for women who have only had an augmentation and not a breast lift plus augmentation.
Current research and action related to BII
Research is under way to determine the degree to which certain symptoms are directly caused by breast implants and what effect, if any, removal has on those symptoms.
A study published in December 2021 found that the type of breast implant removal performed did not affect the reduction of breast implant illness symptoms.
Part two of this study investigated concerns, expressed on some BII websites, that the presence of heavy metals in silicone and saline breast implant capsules are a primary cause of systemic symptoms and health problems. More than 20 heavy metals were studied and some participants with BII symptoms had statistically higher levels of arsenic and zinc in their breast implant capsules compared with participants who didn’t exhibit BII symptoms. But the measured levels were all below what is considered acceptable exposure levels by regulatory agencies.
Also, the research confirmed that fewer heavy metals were detected in breast implant capsules than in breast tissue from patients who never had implants. Among participants with BII symptoms, there was a higher number of current or former smokers using tobacco and marijuana and a greater number of women with gluten allergies, suggesting that environmental exposure and personal choices related to cigarette smoking, marijuana use, tattoo pigments, and dietary sources may be the source of a BII patient’s exposure to heavy metals.
Based on this research, heavy metal toxicity should not sway a patient’s decision to remove her breast implants.
Finally, it’s important to note that a BII task force has been established within The Aesthetic Society to conduct research and follow new breast implant patients for more than 10 years in hopes of establishing more definitive data and finding more answers for patients and providers.
We understand it can be extremely frustrating to feel unwell without a specific diagnosis – especially after you’ve been through one or more major breast surgeries. Our breast plastic surgery and specialist teams work together, dedicated to providing you with evidence-based care that will get you to the ultimate goal of feeling better.
If you experience symptoms or complications that you suspect may be related to breast implants, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.
A breakthrough in breast reconstruction at UTSW
When Renee Mallonee found out she was BRCA2 positive and her lifetime risk of breast cancer was high, she took the news very seriously. After 15 years of screenings and tests every six months, in 2020 she turned to UT Southwestern and became the first patient in the United States to receive a single port robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy.