Breast Augmentation Incision Guide

Once you have decided to go through with a breast augmentation procedure, you will have to choose a type of incision for your surgery. No incision-type is clearly better than the others so it depends on your circumstances to determine which choice is best for you. Your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon will cover most or all of the options, but you still will want to read this guide in order to know what to expect.

An inframammary incision is the most popular type of breast augmentation procedure. It involves an incision just under the breast at place called the inframammary fold, which is where it meets the torso. It allows the greatest access to the to the underlying breast tissues, and thus greatest amount of control in placement, but it also is more prone to noticeable scaring.

A periareola incision involves an incision around the edge of the areola. This may reduce the appearance of scarring compared to the inframammary incision, but it also does not allow for as much control in placing the implant.

A transaxiallary incision makes an incision in the armpit, and then the implant is placed in the breast either by hand or by endoscope. The main benefit of this procedure is no visible scaring in the breasts. It will, however, have visible scars in the armpits, and also does not afford the surgeon much control of the placement of the implants. It has a higher likelihood of creating misshapen or lopsided breasts.

Transumbilical and transabdominal incisions are similar in that they both occur in the stomach area. A transumbilical incision involves making an incision in the navel and then using an endoscope to place and fill the breast implants. It will leave a very minimal amount of noticeable scaring in the navel area, but will not allow the doctor much control of the placement of the implant. A transabdominal incision is used when a stomach-tuck procedure is performed in addition to a breast augmentation. The breast implants may be placed either by endoscope or by hand. Since it uses the same incision as a stomach-tuck, no additional scarring is created.

Breast augmentation is a routine procedure that has been practiced for several decades, but that does not mean that it has truly been perfected. Each incision type has its benefits and drawbacks. Talk to your surgeon about your concerns and decide which procedure works best for you and your lifestyle.