Breast Implant Incision

There are many factors that play into breast augmentation surgery. The most important are to determine what type of implants you will use and how large they will be. Once those decisions are out of the way, however, the plastic surgeon will then need to review a variety of breast implant incisions options with you before scheduling your surgery.

Plastic surgeons can make several types of incisions, including transaxillary, inframammary, periareolar and transumbilical when using breast implants to provide augmentation.

Types of Implant and Incision Sizes

The type of implant that you choose can have an impact on your breast implant incisions. Saline implants are not filled until they are already in your breast, and so require smaller incisions to be able to place. Silicone implants come pre-filled and are thus more rigid. They require slightly larger incisions during your breast augmentation surgery.

Transaxillary Incision

A transaxillary incision is made in the patient’s armpit, and is typically hidden in the folds of skin found there. This can be considered the cleanest form of breast implant incisions, because it leaves the breast itself completely unblemished with any form of post-incision scarring. Experienced surgeons typically perform this type of incision, and they sometimes use guiding technologies such as endoscopes to ensure the implants are placed evenly.

Inframammary Incision

An inframammary incision is made on the underneath side of the breast, near to wear the breast and the chest meet. Because of the incision being placed near a crease of skin, it is often barely noticeable once healing has taken place. When a plastic surgeon employs this type of incision, a pocket is created into which the breast implant will be placed behind the nipple. This is a terrific option among breast implant incisions, because the plastic surgeon can ensure that the implants are placed evenly simply by sight comparison without the need for guiding technologies.

Periareolar Incision

A periareolar incision is made where the nipple meets breast tissue. A plastic surgeon can make a very careful cut around the shape of the nipple so that as the incision heals, it will simply look like nipple puckering. This is the most commonly used among breast implant incisions. Plastic surgeons enjoy employing this type of incision because it gives immediate access to the area where the breast implant will be placed.

Transumbilical Incision

A transumbilical incision is made surrounding the patient’s belly button. Because this type of incision is so far away from the breast, a guiding technology must be used to position the implants. An advantage to this type of breast implant incisions is that no scarring will occur on the actual breasts; a drawback is that it is the least precise method of breast implant placement.