Where Will My Implant Be Inserted? Where Will My Incision Be Located?

1. Peri-Areolar: around the areola. Peri-Areolar insertion may not be suitable for larger silicone implants because of the limited area for insertion. For saline implants, Peri-Areolar insertion can be a good technique, particularly if you have very little breast tissue. With very small breasts, Peri-Areolar and Transaxillary incisions can be preferable to Inframammary. If you have medium to larger breasts, then Inframammary insertion may be preferable because the Inframammary incision in the crease beneath your breasts is almost always undetectable after the incisions have healed. With flat breasts, however, the incision may be noticeable. If you are flat chested, this is something you will need to discuss with Dr. Lipton.
2. Transaxillary: through the armpit. This technique is another good technique, particularly for individuals with very small breasts or flat chested. Transaxillary healing is usually more painful. Like the Peri-Areolar technique, Transaxillary insertion may not be suitable for larger silicone implants. Transaxillary insertion of your implant is farther away from the breast pocket which may make it a little more difficult for your plastic surgeon to optimize the placement of the breast pocket, pocket size and cleavage.
3. T.U.B.A.: thru the navel (belly button). The TUBA insertion technique involves an incision in the belly button. The primary advantage is hiding the incision in the belly button, so like Transaxillary, it can be preferable for individuals with very small breasts or flat chests. Your surgeon creates a long tunnel from the belly button underneath the skin to the breast pockets. The long subcutaneous tunnel limits this technique to saline implants because saline implants are filled after insertion. Since the tunnel is right under the skin, it may not be appropriate for thin patients. TUBA insertion of your implant is even farther away from the breast pocket than Transaxillary, which may make it a little more difficult for your plastic surgeon to optimize the placement of the breast pocket, pocket size and cleavage.
4. Inframammary: in the crease beneath the breast. Inframammary insertion may help your surgeon be more precise with various aspects of your augmentation because of the location of the entry point. If you have medium to larger breasts, then the Inframammary incision in the crease beneath your breasts is almost always undetectable after the incisions have healed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Inframammary technique is typically preferred by plastic surgeons because it may allow more optimal placement of the implant, creation of cleavage and implant pocket size.

Dr. Lipton and your Breast Enhancement Consultant will discuss implant insertion options with you at your Signature Consult.

Dr. Lipton can place your implants either beneath the pectoral muscle of the chest or on top of this muscle. Implants placed beneath the muscle tend to look more natural. The difference in appearance between saline and silicone is virtually imperceptible to detect when your implante is placed under the muscle.

Also, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, when implants are placed under the muscle, the implants have a significantly lower incidence of capsular contracture (where a shell of scar tissue forms around the implant and tightens over time).

On the other hand, your recovery is somewhat easier when implants are placed atop the chest muscle. However, if there isn’t adequate breast tissue, a saline implant placed above the muscle can lead to rippling, which can be noticeable over the muscle. For a variety of reasons, body builders may choose placement over the muscle. If so, silicone implants are usually recommended.

Dr. Lipton and your Breast Enhancement Consultant will discuss implacement options with you at your Signature Consult.