At the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, Florida, we understand that when it comes to breast augmentation Florida vs breast implants, there is often confusion about the public perception of what sometimes seems like two very different procedures.
Often, someone will contact an aesthetic surgeon to request one procedure or the other only to be surprised when they are given a more complete understanding of what these procedures entail.
Perception of Breast Augmentation vs Breast Implants
Over time, the general public has created a narrative about what it believes to be the difference between procedures falling under the headings of “breast augmentation” or “breast implants.” While a lot of the public perception of these titles is correct, there are some discrepancies.
Breast Augmentation
The public perception of breast augmentation tends to be one of a procedure that is more medical than aesthetic. When people hear the term “augmentation,” the usual association is with reconstructive or other implications that would tie the procedure to more serious needs.
Because of this association, people might feel that breast augmentation has different social connotations than having breast implants.
Breast Implants
The term “breast implants” is far more blunt. When a person hears the term, they have no doubt that the procedure’s goal is to change the size of the breasts and make them larger. This is commonly believed to be done exclusively with the use of silicone molds of varying breast sizes and shapes, although other means are available and widely used.
With these two very different perceptions, it’s not uncommon for an individual to feel that they have a strong preference for one over the other when it comes to building a treatment plan. This is often where potential clients run into surprises during their procedure consultations since there’s not actually much difference between these two procedures, other than the name and general social perceptions surrounding them.
Breast Augmentation vs Breast Implants
Breast augmentation and breast implants are pretty much the same things. The notable difference between the two is a personal preference in terms of which label “sounds better” to the person seeking or performing the procedure. However, there are a few instances in which one label tends to take precedence:
Desired Outcome
Often, when people are undergoing the procedure simply to improve the overall shape or firmness of the breast, they tend to lean toward “augmentation” as a label rather than “implants.” This is likely because the word “implant” tends to invoke visions of enlargement or otherwise changing the size of the breast rather than shaping.
Similarly, if someone is hoping to maximize the size of the breast rather than just change the shape, they might lean toward the label “implant” as a way to better explain why they are having the procedure.
Reconstructive Qualities
Breast augmentation is usually the preferred label when referencing a procedure that is reconstructive in nature. A breast cancer survivor, for example, might feel more comfortable referencing her reconstructive procedure as an augmentation rather than implants, which she might feel would be an inaccurate way to describe the sensitive work she has undergone.
Presumed Stigma or Personal Choice
Some people might feel a sense that they need to be discreet about their aesthetic procedures, especially concerning a sensitive area of the body like the breasts.
In these circumstances, they might feel more comfortable calling the procedure an augmentation rather than an implant, which might seem to be too revealing a label to describe the work they have had done. In this situation, decisions about labeling breast augmentation vs breast implants will depend upon personal preference and perception of the words used.
Procedure Options
Some might differentiate between breast augmentation or implants based on the materials used. Silicone or saline implants are most popular in both treatments, although in some situations fat transfer can also be used. This is the process of moving fat from one part of the body to another to reshape both areas at once.
When this option is used, some people tend to think of it as augmentation over implants because the body is being reshaped and not added to.
Regardless of what you call the procedure, though, the benefits are the same.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation or Breast Implant
If you are considering breast augmentation or implants, you may be interested in what the long-term benefits of such a procedure may be. Most who look at the procedure already know that the size of the breasts will be affected. They may not realize, however, that there are other benefits that are just as encouraging.
Correct Symmetry Issues
Although it is not uncommon, many women are bothered by knowing that their breasts are asymmetric. Typically, one breast can be as much as one full cup size larger than the other, and the areola and nipples rarely ever match up perfectly under natural circumstances.
A lot of people who seek breast augmentation or implant surgery do so because they feel that they should have more symmetric breasts in shape, size, and nipple placement. It is very easy to correct this issue through an augmentation or implant procedure.
Rejuvenate the Look of Breasts
As we age, the elasticity of our skin doesn’t hold up as well as it once did. This can leave people feeling self-conscious about their appearance in low hanging tops or dresses that would otherwise compliment their gracefully aging appearance.
The same rule about elasticity applies to muscle tissue and glandular tissue in the breasts, which can cause the bosom to sag or look otherwise slouchy or frumpy and add strain to the shoulders and back. To reverse the effects of aging, breast augmentation can be used to tighten the skin and tissue in the area to create a firmer, more taut appearance.
Post-Pregnancy Refresher
During pregnancy and in the months that follow having a baby, the breasts swell as the mammary glands produce milk. After a baby is weaned from breastfeeding, however, the milk supply will dry up and the breasts will begin to shrink back to their prior state. Because of the stretching and shrinking in such a short amount of time, breasts can change shape and form, even appearing flattened as the mammary glands return to their pre-pregnancy size.
If no further pregnancies are expected, breast augmentation and implants are a good way to “reset” breasts to their prior size and shape.
Correct Rapid Weight Loss Effects
Much like with pregnancy, the breasts can be re-shaped and re-sized following rapid weight loss. As fatty tissue in the breasts depletes, the skin will be saggier and the elasticity of the breasts may change. This can not only add years to the appearance of the body but can actually cause the chest to seem disproportionate to the rest of a person’s body shape.
To help alleviate this issue, breast augmentation or surgery can rejuvenate the appearance of the breast and even help “re-inflate” the skin and tissue of the breast to regain and maintain a more aesthetic body proportion.
Reconstructive Benefits
During procedural treatment for breast cancer, removal of cysts or other breast tissue, or following certain other medical procedures, the breasts may be affected or even altogether removed. To reconstruct the shape of the breasts, augmentation or implants may be used to replace or reconstruct the remaining tissue of the bosom.
Improve Confidence
One of the areas of the body that cause the most issues in regard to self-esteem is that of the breasts. Women may struggle with the size, shape, or asymmetry of the breasts while men tend to worry if theirs are too large. Breast augmentation and implants are also common among those transitioning genders or undergoing otherwise sensitive transitional periods of life where unneeded attention on the breasts can be especially difficult to manage.
These benefits are all wonderful reasons to look at augmentation or implants as an aesthetic procedure option. Another option is the breast lift.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a procedure similar to augmentation or implants, but with a few slight differences. This procedure is often confused with what people perceive to be breast augmentation.
When having a breast lift, your own tissue is used to firm up or elevate the breasts rather than using a synthetic implant. This usually leaves the breasts feeling more natural but does little to increase the size of the breast.
A breast lift is most beneficial when a person is seeking to fix symmetry issues or rejuvenate the breasts without altering the overall size or making large changes to the general breast shape.
Other Breast-Related Procedures
Often overlooked in the conversation regarding breast augmentation vs breast implants are a few other breast-related procedures that are commonly offered. These procedures can also be greatly beneficial for those who seek to make a change to the appearance of their breasts.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction is sometimes called mammaplasty. This procedure is one in which a trained aesthetic surgeon will remove excess breast tissue and skin to create a breast size that is more proportionate to the body. This is often done in situations where an individual feels self-conscious about the large size of their breasts or where carrying large breasts creates strain and discomfort for the body.
This pain can manifest in backaches, aching knee joints, or shoulder and neck pain. In some cases, it can even be linked to migraine headaches. Breast reduction surgery is commonly performed on both male and female individuals, making it one of the most commonly sought-after procedures related to the breasts.
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision is a procedure in which prior breast implants are repaired or replaced. Often, the goal is to refresh the effects of the original procedure. There are situations where pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain come into play that may also make a shift in the implant desirable to appear more naturally placed.
As with any aesthetic procedure, over time a breast implant can shift or change. While this will not always be noticeable, there are rare instances in which a revision is necessary. When making a breast implant revision, the size can be increased or decreased, or the shape and style of the implant can be changed altogether.
If any of the aforementioned procedures seems like a good fit for you, the next step in the process is to seek out the advice and input of a trained surgeon.
Call for a Consultation Today
If you are still struggling to make sense of breast Augmentation in Florida vs breast implants, contact the friendly and knowledgeable staff at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, Florida today. We are more than happy to help. Give us a call today to set up a consultation: our surgeons and staff are waiting to answer any questions you may have.