Any reputable plastic surgeon should welcome questions from patients about the procedures they are considering. After all, procedures like breast augmentation can have a major impact on the way you look and the way you feel about yourself.
Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Zachary Farris is always happy to answer questions from his patients about breast augmentation and other procedure options. He answers some of the most common questions below, but don’t hesitate to contact Farris Plastic Surgery in Dallas for information that is personalized to what you want to know.
What Is the Difference Between a Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants?
You likely hear breast implants and augmentation surgery mentioned as though they are identical. In some respects, this is true: Implants are the leading technique for achieving breast enlargement.
However, the distinction lies in the fact that breast augmentation is a procedure performed with a specific goal in mind, whereas implants are a method of achieving the goal.
There are multiple implant options for augmenting the breasts:
- Silicone implants
- Saline implants
- Form-stable “gummy bear” implants
Breast implants are also not the only enhancement option. Many plastic surgeons perform breast augmentation with fat transfer. Instead of an implant, fat is removed from the body, purified, and then strategically injected in the breasts to fill areas with lost volume.
How Much Do Breast Implants Cost in 2019?
The latest data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the average cost of breast augmentation is just over $3,800. However, you should treat this as a preliminary estimate of what your own augmentation procedure might cost.
Many different factors affect the cost of breast augmentation. These include:
- The type of augmentation (including the implants used, use of fat grafting, etc.)
- Where the surgery is performed
- Post-surgical care, including dressings, medications, etc.
- The surgeon’s experience performing breast augmentation
- Inclusion of complementary procedures, such as a breast lift
All of these factors vary from practice to practice. When consulting plastic surgeons, be sure the doctor or office staff provides you with a complete cost estimate, as well as an overview of financing options and other factors that may affect the price of the procedure.
Read our recent blog post on the cost of breast augmentation for pricing information specific to Farris Plastic Surgery.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
The average life span of a breast implant is between 10 and 20 years. Many different factors can influence the longevity of the device, including:
- Natural changes in the shape and positioning of the breasts
- Trauma to the chest
- Rupture of the implant, capsular contracture, and other complications
Your cosmetic preferences may also change over time, in which case you may be a candidate for breast implant removal and/or revision surgery.
It important to recognize that breast implants are not designed to last forever. You have options if implants have outlived your original goals.
Which Is Better, Fat Transfer or Implants?
The choice of breast augmentation procedure will ultimately come down to your goals, expectations, and other unique characteristics. Dr. Farris can advise you of your suitability for one or both surgeries, and which one may have the greatest benefit based on what you’d like to accomplish.
The results of breast augmentation with fat transfer are very natural because they use the body’s own cells, and the risk of complications is likewise reduced because no foreign body is used. Incisions for the procedure are smaller with fat transfer than they are for implantation, which means less scarring.
However, breast enlargement with fat transfer is generally limited to an increase of a single cup size. If your goal is fairly minimal enhancement, you may be pleased with the results from fat grafting; if you desire more significant augmentation, you may want to consider implants.
In addition, the first step of fat grafting is liposuction, so you will need to have sufficient excess fat that can be removed and transferred to the breasts. Implants, meanwhile, are manufactured to fit many different body types with enhanced shapes and sizes.
Is It Worth Getting Breast Implants?
The decision to get breast implants is personal. Many women, however, report high levels of satisfaction with augmentation for years after their initial procedure.
Dr. Zachary Farris has helped many women improve the way they look and how they feel about themselves through breast augmentation.
For a complimentary consultation, please call 214-363-1073 today. Farris Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and nearby areas of Texas.