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Breast Implants Vs. Breast Augmentation: is There a Difference?

asked 3 years ago by Miss Chen in Gauteng, South Africa
Latest answer by Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Question viewed 733 times
Tags: comparison

I notice that people talk about Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants... Is there a difference between the two???

17 answers to Breast Implants Vs. Breast Augmentation: is There a Difference?

Implants vs. Augmentation

Breast augmentation could be done with fat grafting or a vacuum-assisted technique, but these produce relatively small changes as compared with breast augmentation using implants. Most of the time, the terms are used interchangeably.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Breast implants and breast augmentation alike

Both terms are used simultaneously to describe breast enlargement surgery, as well as breast enhancement. The breast implants are what is used to make the breasts larger in appearance. All can be researched and will describe the breast enlargement procedure. Do not be confused between the different terms. Augmentation is very popular to achieve all types of looks for various patients. My best advice would be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best and safest... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation usually means breast implant placement

Hello, The term "Breast Augmentation" is somewhat generic but usually indicates increase in volume, which is done more often than not with implants. The terms are essentially synonymous. Best Regards

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

It really depends on why the implants are placed

Hi there- Breast augmentation will almost always involve the placement of implants, but implants are not always or only placed for augmentation, as they are also often used for reconstruction of the breast after surgery for breast cancer. In the case of women who do not have cancer, and are seeking a larger or more shapely breast contour, breast implants and breast augmentation are usually both referring to the same procedure, which may be combined with various techniques for re-shaping of... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

No, they are the same.

Breast Augmentation, refers to the enhancement or increase in size of the breast. This is done most often with Implants. There have been attempts to use natural tissue, similar to reconstruction of the breast. However, in a cosmetic, elective situation, those operations are long, expensive and with increase risk. Attempts have been made to increase the use of Fat Transfer to enlarge the breast. I feel this is not appropriate at this time. It masks the results of a mammogram and may... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

No

Breast augmentation implies adding volume to a breast that is felt by the patient to be too small. The extra volume comes from placing a breast implant.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant dictionary

Both breast implants and breast augmentation represent the same surgery. Technically speaking, breast implants are the devices used for breast augmentation or breast volume enhancement.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant and Breast Augmentation: 6 in one, 1/2 dozen in the other

Breast implants (prosethetic devices) are used to accomplish breast augmentation. The implant is the means to the end: the augmentation.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and breast augmentation

Breast augmentation and breast implants are not the same, although they are relatively interchangeable. Breast augmentation involves increasing the size of the breast. This size increase can be achieved with breast implants, fat transfer, or flap placement. By far, the most common way to perform breast augmentation is with breast implants. Fat transfer is becoming more popular but more research and experience is needed.

Naveen Setty, MD
Plano Plastic Surgeon

Definitions: Breast Implants, Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the procedure of enlarging one's breasts. This almost always involves the use of implants. Both fat transfers and flap rotations are also used. However, because of the predominance of breast implants, the terms have become almost synonymous.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Breast Implants are the only reliable method of substantially increasing breast size.

Breast augmentation by the broadest definition refers to attempts at increasing the size of ones breast tissue. Although there have been various ways advertised to enlarge breast size, such as performing certain chest exercises, the use of a breast implant remains remains the only reliable and safe way to do so. Of recent, the use of fat transfer or the grafting of fat taken by liposuction from other areas of the body and injected into the breast has shown some promise. But this... more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and breast implants are synonymous

There has been some experimental work with enhancing the volume of the breasts with fat injections. It appears to be successful but is not practical at the moment. For now, all breast augmentations are accomplished with breast implants.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant surgery is the most common form of breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery in the United States because it provides a consistent way for a woman to change the shape, position and size of her breasts. Using breast implants is the most common way for a woman to increase the size and shape of her breasts. There is a noninvasive technique known as the BRAVA machine that has been shown to increase the size of a woman's breasts a small amount over a period of 6 to 8 months. At this time, plastic surgeons... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and augmentation are the same

Having surgery for breast augmentation pretty much requires breast implant placement. The two are really synonymous. Yet, there are other ways to augment the breast with autologous tissue although it is relatively uncommon and not as predictable as with implants.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and breast augmentation same thing.

Hi. The only proven and safe and effective way to make breasts larger is to use breast implants. So really breast augmentation means breast implants.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Basically the same

Breast augmentation, breast enlargement, breast enhancement, placement of breast implants are all basically different terms for the same procedures. Hope this clarifies things for you.

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the general term used for enhancing or increasing the size of the breast. Either implants or natural body tissue can be used. As of now, most breast augmentations are done with implants. Breast reconstruction at times is performed using your own body tissue. However, these surgeries are not appropriate for a primary augmentation. In the future, augmentation may be performed with your own fat cells that have been "energized" with stem cells, but that is... more