While the two terms are often used interchangeably, breast augmentation and breast implants are not the same thing. Breast augmentation is an umbrella term for treatments that aim to increase the size of the breasts. In order to better understand the relationship between these terms, we must first understand their individual meanings.
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation is a name that is used for a number of cosmetic surgeries that aim to increase the size and enhance the shape of a woman's breasts. These procedures are able to achieve various goals, including increasing breast size, addressing asymmetry, or restoring breast volume following pregnancy or substantial weight loss.
Breast augmentation can be achieved through one of two means. The original approach to breast augmentation is a surgical breast implant procedure, which can enhance the size of the breasts while improving their positioning on the breast wall. There are also breast fat grafting procedures, which are designed to transfer fat from other areas of the body (usually the hips, buttocks, stomach, etc) into the breasts.
Dr. Craft performs both procedures on his patients in the greater Phoenix area.
Breast implants
Breast implants are medical devices that are inserted underneath the breast tissue and chest musculature in order to increase the size of the breasts and achieve a better shape. They can also be employed in cases where the patient requires a breast reconstruction, such as after a mastectomy or injury.
There are two types of breast implants- saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, and silicone implants contain silicone gel. Both implants are similar in that they have an outer silicone shell.
The breast implant procedure involves making an incision in the breast tissue to create a “pocket” for the implant. This incision can be made in different areas, including the region under the breasts, around the nipple, or in the armpit. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes somewhere between one and two hours to complete. Patients may need to stay in the hospital for a few hours or overnight for observation.
As with any surgery, breast implant surgery comes with certain risks. Some of the most common risks associated with breast implant surgery include bleeding, infection, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation. Some longer-term risks include implant rupture, implant displacement, and capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue surrounding the implant becomes hard and tightens, resulting in pain in the breasts.
Dr. Randall Craft has years of experience with breast implants and can help patients choose the right ones for them.
Breast fat grafting
Breast fat transfer procedures work the same way as any other kind of fat transfer treatment. Certain areas of the patient’s body are designated as donor sites. Most often, these are the abdomen, hips, buttocks, or thighs. Fat is extracted from the donor sites and then purified in a centrifuge. Once the harvested fat is fully prepared, it is injected into the patient’s breasts, giving them a bigger bust.
Breast fat transfers are often preferred by patients due to the fact that they are natural in their approach. Fat transfers utilize the patient’s own body fat, meaning that there is little risk of rejection. The primary drawback, however, is that the results of fat transfer treatments are not as long-lasting as those from breast implant procedures.
Dr. Craft is an expert in fat transfer procedures and can help patients achieve a breast size and contours that accentuate their overall figure.
What is the takeaway?
When looking to undergo a breast procedure, it is vital that patients know the differences between the different options. Understanding what a breast implant procedure is and how it differs from a breast fat transfer is important when considering treatment options. While both treatments are categorized as forms of breast augmentation, they are vastly different approaches that come with different specifications.
As with any cosmetic procedure, patients should always reach out to a skilled and experienced practitioner to carry out a breast procedure. Throughout his career, Dr. Randall Craft has helped countless patients achieve their ideal looks.
Reach out to our office today to set up a consultation and learn more about our breast procedures.
