Breast Augmentation: What incision is best for me?

Opting for breast augmentation but unsure of which incision would be best for you? Whether you are choosing saline or silicone, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group is giving you insight and eduction regarding your surgical incision options.

Periareolar Incision

The periareolar incision is made around the bottom half of the nipple areola complex edge where the lighter skin meets the darker skin surrounding the nipple. It is one of the most common incision sites for inserting breast implants. This incision site allows the surgeon to both directly see and access the areas under the glands and under the muscles. This incision site also allows for the surgeon to have control over implant position and placement. Many people refer to this incision as “through the nipple”, though that is incorrect, as the incision is actually made along the bottom of areola complex. It can be used for silicone or saline implants and can be placed under or over the muscle. The only restriction to this incision is if the diameter is too small. Generally this incision heals very well, although scarring is variable due to skin type and color.

Inframammary Incision

The inframammary incision is the most common approach for inserting breast implants. The incision is made just above the inframammary fold/crease of the breast, (same place that the wire would rest against the chest when wearing an under-wire bra.). This incision site has no visible scars near the areola or nipple which helps prevent the scar from being easily seen. It is well hidden and very difficult to detect when in a swimsuit or lingerie. The major advantage of the inframammary incision is that it allows the surgeon to work closely to the breast implant pocket, providing excellent visibility and accuracy of implant placement. It can be used for silicone or saline implants and can be placed under or over the muscle. The incision heals very well and fades to skin color over time.

The two other incision methods for breast implants insertion is the trans-umbilical and the trans-axillary (through the armipt) approach. Though silicone gel cannot be done through the belly button incision, only saline can, not every Plastic Surgeon is familiar or comfortable with this technique and we believe that the formation of the pocket is inadequate.

The TUBA or trans-umbilical breast augmentation is a so called minimally invasive approach where the implants are placed through the belly button. In our practice, we do not perform this type of augmentation because we feel that it has many shortcomings and therefore leads to an inadequate result.

Generally speaking, Dr. Layke and Dr. Danielpour use the periareolar and inframammary incisions for breast augmentation because it gives them the most accurate and safest way to create the implant pocket, which in turn is the most important aspect of breast augmentation.

Visit us for a consultation and see which incision is right for you.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group

(310) 275-6600