The Difference Between Breast Implants And Breast Augmentation Is Quite Straightforward.
If your breasts make you feel less confident about yourself, you’re not alone. Chances are you’re considering getting them enhanced to achieve the look you desire. If you’ve had these thoughts, you’ve probably searched the internet for possible solutions. Your search most likely repeatedly led you to terms which include breast augmentation, breast implants, and breast lift.
You’ve probably come across instances where they’re used interchangeably, and that doesn’t do a lot to help clear confusion. You might even think that they’re all the same. The truth is they’re not.
In this article, we will give a breakdown of the differences between the terms, based on procedures, purposes, and prices.
Breast Augmentation VS Breast Implants
The difference between breast implants and breast augmentation is quite straightforward. Breast implants are synthetic enhancements that are added to the breasts to improve their shape; they include saline and silicone implants. Breast augmentation is a term that refers to the surgical procedure that makes use of breast implants to boost the volume and shape of breasts.
Taking a closer look at the two types of breast implants, we have –
- Silicone implants, which are meant for individuals who have small breast tissue. They leave the patient with a natural feel, after placement. Generally, they tend to be more expensive, require more incision and are available by law to patients that are 22 years and older.
- Saline implants, which are intended for individuals who have a good measure of breast tissues but want to enhance the volume and shape. They don’t necessarily change the feel of the breasts; they require less incision and are available by law to patients that are 18 years and above.
Now, let’s take a look at the differences between the two procedures – BREAST AUGMENTATION and BREAST LIFT.
Purpose
Breast Augmentation
When you hear the term breast augmentation, think breast size (volume) and breast shape. Breast augmentation surgeries are carried out to address a patient’s concern regarding the size of their breasts. Simply put, if you want to have bigger breasts, then you should seriously consider breast augmentation. This procedure is also recommended for women who wish to replenish the loss of fullness of their breasts after pregnancy.
It involves the use of implants to make the breast fuller and shapelier.
Breast Lift
When you hear the term breast lift, think of breast repositioning. The surgical procedure is intended for patients whose breasts are sagging, drooping, oddly placed or with oddly placed areolas. A breast lift surgery give you firmer breasts, along with a youthful perkier appearance. It has nothing to do with increasing the volume of the breasts.
Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgeries typically involve breast incisions and placement of breast implants through the incisions made. The incisions require a high degree of expertise and can be in various forms, with the most common being –
- Inframammary incision which is made under the fold of the breasts
- Trans-axillary incision which is made in the armpit around the breasts area.
- Periareolar incision which is made around the nipple.
After incisions are created, the implants are placed and concealed under or around the breast tissues. The size and shape of implants used are based on many factors which will be decided by you and your board-certified surgeon.
Breast Lift
Breast lift surgeries require a higher degree of precision and accuracy than breast implants. A breast lift may include –
- Repositioning the areolas to desired points
- Surgical excision of loose skin
- Tightening weakened muscles
Just like the word “lift” implies, it involves giving a droopy or saggy breast a lift to a position where it looks and feels perkier. To achieve this, incisions will be made, which determines the approach the procedure will follow. The three types of incisions commonly made include –
- Periareolar incision, which is most suitable for patients with large areolas and whose breasts are not to droopy. The incision is made following the natural shape of the areolar.
- Vertical incision, sometimes referred to as breast reduction incision is made following the shape of the areolar while extending down slightly. This incision is ideal for moderately drooped breasts.
- Inverted-T incision, like other incisions, it’s made around the areolar but also involves an incision which is made within the fold of the breasts.
Any of these incisions can be used depending on the mass of breast tissue available, the breast volume and the extent to which the breast has sagged.
Pricing
Breast Augmentation
The price of breast augmentation surgery differs among locations and can also vary based on the expertise of the surgeon performing it. Generally, it’s determined by the cost of the implants, anaesthesia and the surgical facility used. While costs can vary; it usually falls within $8,000 to $15,000.
Breast Lift
One might assume that because no implants are used, the cost of a breast lift should be relatively lower; that’s not the case. A breast lift surgery is quite complex when compared to augmentation, and lengthier as well. Depending on the cost of the surgical facility, anaesthesia, and other expenses, a breast lift costs between $9,000 and $16,000.
The price tends to go further up the scale, if the degree of drooping (ptosis) is significant, or if the breasts are quite large.
What If I Want To Lift My Saggy Breasts And Still Make It Ampler?
You may think that you’ll have to do one after the other; some plastic surgeons are medically certified to do a combination of both in one procedure. This is entirely dependent on whatever you desire. Typically, the cost of a breast lift with implants costs about $1,000 to $2,000 higher than the cost of an individual breast lift. This could be mostly attributed to the cost of implants used and the added experience & precision needed for such a procedure.