Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Which Incision is Healthier, Areola or Under the Breast?

Thank you very much to all doctors that answer my questions. It is really helping me to get a decisions. I'm now confronted with the choice of the incision location. Is it better one or the other as far as type of implant?

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incision technique

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mosa in Arizona

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Which Incision is Healthier

There are a number of incisions that are used to place breast implants. If one were clearly better than the others, there would only be one incision and all surgeons would use it on all patients. I personally prefer the breast fold, because there is the least tampering with breast anatomy through that incision. But there are occasions either for reasons of anatomy or patient preference that I will use the areola, axilla, or navel (this one for saline only). Choice of... more

Incision site

You could almost Tessa coin to make your decision, They are both perfectly satisfactory approaches with scars that heal well. also, the incidence of diminished nipple sensation is very low either way. If you choose silicone and have small areola, it may be difficult to pace atheist implant through such a small incision. Otherwise, either choice works great!

Breast Augmentation Incision

Both areola and under the breast incision are widely used and accepted. In my practice, I perform these as well as the armpit incision. When compared to the areola incision, the under the breast incision has less risk for infection, capsular contracture (hardening), and persistent tenderness of the nipple. Both are hidden in their own way. The skin of the areola is thinner than under the breast so does tend to heal with a thinner scar. The type of implant does not change depending on which... more

Both incisions are healthy

Both are healthy but if someone has an extremely small areola, sometimes under the breast is best. You can also have implants put in under the arm.

Periareolar or inframammary incision

Thank you for your question. Both the periareolar and inframammary approaches are safe and accepted locations for the incision for a breast augmentation. Each has its advantages and proponents, though it is a largely personal preference. I prefer the inframammary approach personally, thought I do plenty of each. I think that the inframammary scar is in a location that is not visible when standing and that it has a slightly lower incidence of loss of nipple sensation, as has been shown in... more

Periareolar vs inframammary incision?

Both incisions are well accepted and trusted. It is probably best to ask your plastic surgeon which he/she feels most comfortable. I prefer the inframammary incision as it hides under the breast tissue and is not see. I measure and make my incisions in this location at 3 cm or less than an inch and a half. The periareolar incision requires dissection through some of the breast tissue, but heals very well on the surface.

Which incision is prefrable the areolar or inframammary?

Both the areolar and inframammary incisions are very commonly used. While there may be times when one is preferable over the other, such as when the areolas are small, most times it's a choice that is made by the patient and surgeon. Your PS can reveiw with you any advantages and disadvantage with the two incisions. Good luck!.

Incisions for breast implants

There is no one ideal location for the incision for a breast augmentation. Each has advantages and disadvantages and the choice of implant and your anatomy may impact the decision as well. It is best to review this after an exam. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Both the inframammary and periareolar incisions are good choices.

The inframammary and periareolar incisions are both good approaches. If you are having silicone gel implants, the incision has to be a little longer. Usually, but not always, we can still use the incision along the areolar border. But if you have small areolae this might be difficult. I prefer the inframammary incision because it is almost always hidden. Also there is no need to dissect through breast tissue, which you have to do if you make the incision... more

Incision choices for breast augmentation

Both incisions have been widely used for many years for breast augmentation. I believe it's a decision based on personal preference, but occasionally can be limited by your anatomy. For silicone gel implant, especially larger implant, the incision has to be slightly longer than the saline implant. Rarely, the areola is so small that the incision would fit a silicone gel implant through. Typically, for saline implant it's not a problem. Sincerely, Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic... more

Choosing a breast implant incision

The choice of incision needs to be made with you and your surgeon but using the crease has recently been shown to be associated with the lowest capsular contracture rates. It also doesn't injure the breast because you just go straight under the muscle to make the pocket. Finally you can do any revision through the crease which is not true of the other incisions.

Choice of incisions, areola, inframammary or axillary

The choice of incisions is one you should discuss with your surgeon. This will vary depending on your anatomy and what needs to be done.

Incision placement options

Hello, Thank you for the question. Choosing the right breast augmentation incision for you is one of the decisions that you will need to make. Both the areola as well as the inframammary fold incision can give you the result that you seek. The incision around the areola has a slightly higher chance of disrupting nerves that provide sensation to the areola. More important, in my opinion, will be your decision on implant size and implant type. I am a bigger... more

Best Incision for Breast Augmentation

Hi Mosa, Thank you for your question regarding which is the healthier place for incision with breast augmentation. The place of incision is a personal one between you and your plastic surgeon and neither would be considered healthier than the other. In my practice, I use a transaxillary approach where a very small incision is made under the armpit. This technique can be used with either saline or silicone gel breast implants. Many of my patients prefer having no scar on... more

Areola vs. IMF incision

Neither the periareolar nor the inframammary fold incision can be deemed healthier than the other. Where the incision is placed is based on the discussion with your plastic surgeon, your preference, and the surgeon's recommendations prior to surgery. All inframammary incisions will accommodate saline or silicone implants. And, as long as the areola is wide enough, the periareolar incision should be able to accommodate either implants, as well. Thanks for your question! more