*Updated on Wednesday, September 27, 2023
One of the choices that you will make for breast augmentation surgery at our Chicago practice is the location of the incision through which the surgery is performed.
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. It involves a surgical incision to place implants into the breast pockets. Along with the size, type of implant, placement of the implant, implant surface, and implant shape, the type of surgical incision is another factor to consider.
Patients will sometimes feel overwhelmed or confused when they are making choices for breast augmentation or researching surgical techniques. If you are worried about breast implant incision choices, I have some good news. For the vast majority of patients, an experienced surgeon can provide an equally beautiful result through any of the commonly used breast augmentation incisions.
How Can You Get the Best Results from Breast Augmentation?
What really counts with breast augmentation surgery is that the plastic surgeon creates an accurate space for the implant, properly controls the shape of the lower pole of the breast, selects the right implant for your body type, and has the experience to recognize subtle issues of breast contour that must be addressed at the time of surgery. The skill and experience of the surgeon is of far greater importance than the choice of incision.
That said, there are some circumstances where a particular choice of incision for breast augmentation surgery may have an advantage. Here is what I have learned from the several thousand patients in whom I have placed breast implants.
Types of Breast Augmentation Incisions
There are three main choices for incisions in breast enhancement surgery: the inframammary incision located in the natural fold beneath the breast, the periareolar incision at the lower edge of the areola, and the axillary incision in the armpit area.
Inframammary Incision
Breast augmentation via an inframammary incision provides direct access to the important lower pole or curvature of the breast. This incision has particular advantage when the surgeon must address complex issues of breast shape. The scar tends to hide quite well in the natural shadow of the inframammary fold.
Periareolar Incision
Breast augmentation via a periareolar incision can be a good choice for patients of African or Asian ancestry if there is a personal or family history of thick scars. The areola is one of the privileged zones of the body where formation of a thick scar is unlikely. This advantage is offset by the potential for greater interference with breastfeeding, as suggested by some papers in the lactation literature. Some studies suggest that with the periareolar incision, there is an increased risk of capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue that forms around all implanted devices).
Axillary Incision
Breast augmentation via an axillary incision has the advantage of moving the incision away from the breast. This also imposes some disadvantage from a technical standpoint, since it is harder to address complex issues of breast shape through this approach.
When I perform axillary breast augmentation, I use an endoscope, which allows me to carry out this surgery with precision.
Please remember that this is not “scarless surgery.” The scar is simply moved from the breast to the area under the arm. If you play sports in which you bring your arms over the head—such as swimming, volleyball, or tennis—the location of the scar may be an issue. The incisions may also be visible if you are wearing strapless or sleeveless tops.
For more details about breast augmentation incisions, contact our team at Chicago’s Whole Beauty ® Institute. Call us at 312-751-2112 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.