What is the difference between augmentation and breast implants? Women often consider these procedures for boosting self-esteem, achieving a youthful look and re-gaining a pre-pregnancy figure. It is essential to understand the terms when considering these cosmetic surgeries. We want to answers your questions about cosmetic surgeries performed on the breasts, including augmentation, implants and lifts.
What are Cosmetic Breast Surgeries?
Cosmetic breast surgeries are voluntarily performed surgical procedures. These enhance the breasts’ visual appeal based on personal preferences.
These treatments help address concerns such as improving breasts appearance, reducing discomfort and restoring the breasts’ natural look. Breast augmentation is one of the primary cosmetic breast procedures that our board-certified plastic surgeon offers.
What is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure intended to enlarge the breasts. It is one of the most common cosmetic surgery treatments in the US.
Plastic surgeons perform augmentation surgery in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting. General anaesthesia is administered to keep the patient asleep and comfortable during the procedure. Alternatively, some patients are OK with local anaesthesia. They will receive medication to numb the breast region effectively.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
Ideal candidates for breast augmentation are women who do not smoke. They must be in good health and maintains a stable body weight. Unfortunately, these procedures are not suitable for women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
Beyond these primary health considerations, any woman seeking enhanced breast size—whether for aesthetic enhancement or to rectify issues such as asymmetrical breasts-are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
Will Augmentation Make My Breasts Perkier?
While breast augmentation can increase the size and improve the fullness of the breasts, it is not designed to lift the breasts. Breast lifts might be more suitable for women who desire an uplifted appearance.
As the name suggests, breast lift elevates and improves the appearance of uneven breasts. Many women who experience breast sagging due to pregnancy or weight loss favor breast lifting for its immediate effect.
Breast Augmentation vs Implants
Breast augmentation surgery is the procedure to change the shape or enlarge the breasts. On the other hand, implants refer to the prostheses inserted into the breast during a breast augmentation procedure.
Below is a discussion of the different types of implants, the procedures used and their risks:
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants are made of silicone gel that feels like breast tissue. This filling material made the consensus that silicone implants feel like natural breasts.
Opting for silicone implants requires regular visits to your provider, who will perform screening methods. Doing so helps ensure the health and integrity of the implants.
Silicone breast implants have received FDA approval for augmentation in women 22 or older.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are typically silicone shells that contain sterile saltwater. These implants are inserted into the breast while empty and are then filled with sterile saline to the desired size.
The saline breast implants provide a solution for individuals aged 18 and older looking to enhance breast size.
Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy Bear Implants, characterized by their teardrop shape with a thicker base that tapers upward, are filled with a concentrated silicone gel. This allows them to maintain their distinctive shape while also providing enhanced firmness.
Furthermore, Gummy Bear Implants present a slightly higher safety profile than conventional silicone implants, as there is no risk of silicone leakage into the breast tissues in case of an implant shell rupture.
What Other Types of Breast Surgery Do You Perform?
Our expertise in breast surgery spans a variety of procedures, each tailored to meet distinct individual needs.
Breast Lift Surgery
A mastopexy, or breast lift, is a procedure that raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Fat transfer breast augmentation essentially uses liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts. This breast augmentation option is for women looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and who prefer natural results.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure for women with large breasts who experience physical discomfort or emotional distress. It involves the removal of excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size that is in proportion with your body.
Reconstructive Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery is restoring one or both breasts to near-normal shape, appearance, symmetry, and size following mastectomy, lumpectomy, or other traumas. The surgery is often performed in multiple stages and can either begin during mastectomy or be delayed until later.
Benefits of Breast Implants
Increasing numbers of women are exploring the numerous advantages of breast implants. These range from practicality and a wide variety of implant choices to predictable outcomes.
Efficiency and Practicality
Breast augmentation surgery, involving the insertion of implants, is undertaken as outpatient surgery. This translates to no need for an overnight hospital stay. It’s advisable, however, to have someone accompany you home post-surgery, as the procedure requires general anaesthesia.
Enhanced Volume and Contours
Breast implants provide additional volume, contributing to a more rounded look and making many women feel more feminine and curvy post-procedure. Whether the goal is to create a fuller silhouette in your favourite bikini or add more shape to your everyday attire, breast implants can help achieve a more voluptuous figure.
Rectifying Asymmetrical Breasts
Many women have breasts differing in size and shape. Through our augmentation and implant procedures, the discomforting imbalances associated with asymmetrical breasts can be rectified, bringing balance to your figure.
Diverse Sizes and Shapes to Choose From
During your consultation, you’ll be introduced to a variety of implant sizes and shapes. The extensive selection takes aback many patients, and they appreciate the customization the procedure offers.
Predictable Outcomes
You can confidently anticipate the post-surgery outcomes as we spend ample time discussing options during your consultation. With adjustable implants, you can modify your size to a smaller or larger in the months following the procedure.
One of the critical advantages of breast implant surgery is the ability to define your desired size, shape, and breast profile. You can take comfort in the fact that the outcomes of your breast implant surgery can be controlled and predicted.
High Levels of Patient Satisfaction
Breast implant surgery has been undertaken by millions of women, with patient satisfaction rates being significantly high. Most patients are eager to embrace their new look post-surgery.
Many report increased self-confidence, improved body image, and enhanced sexual satisfaction. Moreover, patients often express feeling more at ease in their skin after getting implants.
Longevity of Results
Breast implants can last up to a decade, providing long-term enjoyment of the results.
What If I Want Larger Breasts but Not Implants?
Another breast augmentation option is available for women who want a larger bust but don’t like the idea of a silicone, saline, or gummy bear implant. Fat graft augmentation surgery, also known as fat transfer augmentation, uses fat from your own body to enlarge the breasts.
This technique is sometimes referred to as natural breast enhancement or breast augmentation. During your consultation, we can discuss the various augmentation options and help determine the best procedure for you.
Can Breast Implants Resolve Sagging?
Ageing women often experience sagging breasts. Sometimes this occurs after pregnancy and breastfeeding. But even women who haven’t had children notice sagging as a part of the ageing process. Breast implants cannot reduce sagging breasts. However, a breast lift procedure can address sagging, restoring perkiness and giving you a youthful figure.
What Can I Expect During My Initial Consultation?
The consultation is the first step. We’ll discuss the breast size you aim for and how you’d like your new bust to look. We’ll review the different types and sizes of implants you have to choose from, and you’ll be allowed to try on different implant sizes to help with your decision.
If you have asymmetrical breasts—meaning one breast has a different size or shape from the other—we may suggest that you use a different implant size in each breast to even things out. We’ll also discuss your ideal breast profile, which refers to how much your breasts point out from the chest.
What Can I Expect From the Breast Implant Procedure?
Breast implant surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. Most patients are under general anaesthesia, meaning they’re asleep during the procedure. The surgery usually lasts around three hours.
Who Will Perform My Procedure?
Dr Thomas Jeneby, a highly esteemed plastic and reconstructive surgeon with board certification in his field, will perform your procedure.
He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, based in Richmond, Virginia. Dr Jeneby was inducted into the top 10% honour society of his medical school class and held the esteemed position of the honour society’s president.
Following this, Dr Jeneby secured a coveted position in the distinguished University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy League Plastic Surgery division for an integrated six-year program. This highly sought-after program offers only two slots annually for a pool of over 1,000 exceptional candidates.
Dr Jeneby has been in active practice since 2002, during which he has successfully executed treatments related to breasts, abdomen, nose, eyes, and face.
Our San Antonio clinic, where Dr Jeneby operates, is accredited by the reputable Joint Commission for Office-Based Surgery Centers. Furthermore, Dr Jeneby is a recognized Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This distinguishes him as a surgeon who upholds the highest safety standards, knowledge, and expertise in plastic surgery.
Discover Our Practice
Are you interested in discovering more about breast augmentation and other procedures aimed at enhancing the shape and size of your breasts? Are you intrigued by the potential transformation breast augmentation could bring about in your life?
Contact the Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas, conveniently located in San Antonio, TX, today.
Our clinic provides a comprehensive suite of services. We’re ready and enthusiastic to assist you in achieving fuller and more aesthetically appealing breasts. Don’t delay; call today, and take the first step towards the new you.
