breast augmentation
incision sites...
The incision site and the breast implant placement are the two major decisions of the breast augmentation procedure. When considering incision preference and breast implant type, it is important to remember that each patient’s body is different. Based on your body anatomy, condition of your breasts, and your skin texture, our cosmetic surgeon will explain which surgical breast augmentation technique is the most appropriate for you.
There are four methods of inserting your implant: periareolar, transaxillary, inframammary and transumbilical.
- Periareolar incision
When the incision around the nipple, the scar usually blends into the edge of the areola. This method gives the surgeon the greatest degree of precision since the incision is in the close proximity to the treatment area. However, women with this type of breast augmentation often have more problems with breast feeding and nipple sensation following the surgery because the incision lies closer to the parts of the breast that make milk. - Transaxillary incision
When the incision is made under the arm, the placement of the scar in a less visible location. Cosmetic surgeon may conduct the surgery with or without an endoscope, a small surgical camera. This approach is often used for thin women where submuscular placement would allow more natural appearance to the breast. - Inframammary incision
When the incision is made under the breast fold, the scar is not as noticeable as the nipple incision. Since the incision bypasses the milk ducts, the women typically experience less difficulty breastfeeding. This periareolar incision is the most concealed, but is associated with a higher likelihood of inability to successfully breast feed. It allows for placement of the implants both under the muscle and the glandular tissue. - Transumbilical
This is the newer approach where the incision is made in the belly thus making no scars in the breast area. During the procedure, a fiber-optic camera (endoscope) is tunneled from your belly button to a pocket under the breast. Through this tunnel, the implant is inserted into the breast and is then inflated with saline. This incision site is possible only with sub-glandular (under the breast tissue) implant placement.
