What’s the Difference Between Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants?

In 2020, roughly 193,073 women in the U.S. had breast augmentation surgery. Despite a 33% decline from the previous year, it’s still the 5th most common cosmetic surgery in the country.

Many women choose this surgery to adjust the size and shape of their breasts. It’s also a common surgery for women following a mastectomy.

If you’re considering this kind of procedure, you might be confused by some of the terms. Read on to learn the difference between breast augmentation and breast implants so you can make the right decisions for yourself.

What Is the Difference Between Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants?

Breast augmentation or enhancement is a blanket term for any cosmetic surgery that aims to enhance your breast size. Breast implants refer to the medical prosthesis that’s surgically placed inside your breast to change its size or shape.

Some women choose to do this surgery to address uneven breasts or get a larger cup size. Others turn to breast augmentation to reconstruct their breasts after a mastectomy for breast cancer.

Benefits of Breast Augmentation

One of the benefits of breast augmentation is that it can help boost body confidence in some women. Since it can correct an uneven bosom, some feel more confident after their surgery.

It may also improve confidence in women who’ve felt self-conscious about having a smaller bust. That said, the process of learning how to feel confident on your body may not end with surgery, but it can be a step along the way.

Breast augmentation can also help women regain their confidence after pregnancy or a major weight loss. Augmentation surgery can help restore the look of your breasts.

Types of Breast Implants

Saline, silicone, and gummy bear are the three most common types of breast implants.

Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution called saline. Silicone implants have a firmer texture than saline, while gummy bear implants have the firmest texture.

If you’re not looking for synthetic implants, fat transfer is another option for breast augmentation with Dr. Michelle Lee. This procedure takes fat cells from other parts of your body, purifies them, and inserts them into your breast tissue.

A fat transfer is becoming a more popular procedure for breast enhancement since it doesn’t inject anything foreign into the body. It will give you fuller breasts over time that look very natural.

Is Breast Augmentation Right for You?

Once you understand the difference between breast augmentation and breast implants, you’ll know what to expect from the surgery. Having this baseline of knowledge will make it easier to ask your doctor informed questions.

While breast augmentation may not be the right choice for everyone, talk with your doctor to understand your options. They’ll make sure you’re striking a safe balance between your health and your aesthetics.

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