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TUBA Breast Augmentation

I want to do a Transumbilical (TUBA) Breast augmentation. Can use you TUBA procedure to put the implants under the muscle?

Asked 32 months ago by Meeko in san jose

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TUBA

TUBA: under or over the muscle

Hello, Yes, TUBA breast augmentation can be performed under the muscle. TUBA is designed to use saline implants since silicone implants would be essentially impossible to place via the belly button. When saline implants are placed, regardless of the incision used, they should be placed under the muscle for the best result. The benefit of the TUBA is that there is a small incision and it is in the belly button. The negative is that the TUBA procedure offers the... more

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Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA's attraction is no scar on the breasts. But a bad augmentation looks worse than no scar!

It should be clear from my colleagues' comments that TUBA is fraught with potential problems that usually occur more frequently than with other incision choices. I know well-trained, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons who do this operation (TUBA), and do it well. But just because it is possible does not mean it is the best! The surgeons who do this operation can show you many patient photos that will impress you, making you think that perhaps this is indeed a good choice.... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

With difficulty and only with saline

In my practice, I had the opportunity to operate at the same surgery center with Gerald Johnson,the plastic surgeon who developed TUBA ,and scrubbed with him on a few cases. The technique is primarily limited to sub mammary placement of saline implants. I never saw Gerald place the implants under the muscle. Although there are a few physician who describe sub muscular placement using the TUBA approach, I see more patients with malposition of the implants using this technique, than I have... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It's possible... but I don't recommend it

In Medicine and Surgery, many techniques are possible. TUBA surgery is one of these. With this approach, it's very easy to have problems like malposition, asimmetries, inframmary fold irregularities,.... In other words, in my opinion you will achive a better result with other approaches (inframmamary/ periareolar preferably). I think that it's easier to get a better result after an augmentation mammoplasty (only with aesthetic purposes) using viscoelastic silicone gel... more

Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon

Yes to Subpectoral

Breast implants can be placed under the pectoralis muscle via the umbilical incision (TUBA). However, there are limitations to the TUBA approach. Because the incision size is small and located in a remote position, saline implants must be used, you cannot use silicone, it just won't fit. If you are very thin the path (tracts) from the umbilicus to the breast used to place the implants can develop noticeable scarring. Also, if you need to have your inframammary... more

David Finkle, MD

Omaha Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA

Implants placed by the TUBA procedure can be placed under or over the muscle, but are typically placed over the muscle. I have seen many patients with bad results after this procedure including implant malposition or implants just too tight in the pocket. In general, the only advantage is the scar. Often, using this procedure will void the warranty for your implant so I would definitely consider your alternatives. Scott Newman, MD FACS

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Scott E. Newman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Reconsider TUBA

TUBA (Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation) is not embraced by most plastic surgeons because there are specific additional risks unique to this approach, including improper implant positioning, either soon after surgery or developing over time. Before committing to this approach, consult a few plastic surgeons or read more about the complications on the Internet.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA Augment

TUBA in my opinion is not the way to go.I have seen several in my practice that looked terrible.Also you can't put silicone in which in my opinion is the best.Also you must check to see if the implant manufacturerwill provide a warranty using this approach.The majority of my augmentations are with the inframammary approach.

Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA can put breast implants under the muscle through the belly button

TUBA (transumbilical breast aumentation) places breast implants through a tunnel from your belly button to the breast. It can place the implants on top of the muscle, or with more difficulty, under the muscle. I learned TUBA from the developer of the procedure, Dr Gerald Johnson. I did numerous cases and can make the following generalizations. Bleeding and positioning aren't usually problems, There are size limitations with submuscular implants. ... more

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Myths about TUBA dispelled

TUBA is a great operation for sub-muscular placement of saline implants in anatomically appropriate patients. It does have a steep learning curve and should not be universally used for all augmentation patients, any more than a transax (armpit), periareolar, or crease incision. Thin patients with good symmetry (yes, they exist) and no sagging are the best candidates. There are risks, as with any proceedure, but in the hands of an experienced surgeon, the results are... more

Christopher J. Schaffer, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Avoid the TUBA , use transaxiallry for beautiful results

I would strongly recommend staying away from TUBA. The reality is that in very experienced hands the implant may be above, partially through in or under the muscle. Only saline implants are placed which means for these two reasons your breasts will not be ideal and with the limited control the surgeon has, partially up to cahnce. TUBA can be a reasonable choice for a patient with perfect breast, nipple and chest wall morphology, but these patients are rare. To get a... more

Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation through the belly button

TUBA has been performed for a number of years now and has its limitations like all surgeries do. First is that experience is needed to get good at that procedure, so best to go to someone that has done a large number of them. Secondly, there are many reports in the medical literature of ridges or tracks of firm tissue developing going from the belly button to the breast area, especially in thin women. This is due to the trauma to the tissue in using the scope for implant placement. The third... more

Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Transumbilical breast augmentation?

I do not think that this is a good operation for the reasons my colleagues have discussed below. I see, in my practice, more patients for revisionary surgery after the TUBA procedure (taking into account the relative numbers of procedures done through different approaches) then after breast augmentation procedures done through the other approaches available. Make sure you seek consultation with well experienced what certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes. more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Trans Axillary is a better option

I prefer the trans-axillary (through the armpit) approach. This also avoids any scar on the chest, and allows a much more precise placement under the muscle. Also with the Keller Funnel I can place Gel Implants up to 600cc through the axilla. The scar is usually hard to find. see video

Rodney A. Green, MD

Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA breast augmentation

TUBA or transumbilical breast augmentation is the least used method for breast augmentation. I cannot endorse it and have seen many complications from other surgeons. There is very little control of the pocket for the implant and as it is almost a blind procedure, there are more risks of bleeding, asymmetry, etc. It is nearly impossible to place a breast implant in the submuscular position by the TUBA method. Do not be fooled by slick advertising methods. Most surgeons who advertise this... more

Leo Lapuerta, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA under the muscle

TUBA under the muscle is possible but I am not a big fan. I think you get a better result with precise definition of the infra-mammary fold ( fold under the breast) with a more traditional incision. Ultimately these incisions are typically quite imperceptible. All the best, Talmge J. Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA technique

The short answer to your question is yes, a sub-muscular placement is possible with a TUBA approach. But my concern at the moment with the TUBA technique is how one would control arterial bleeding if you do place the implant under the muscle. Invariably, you would want to release the pectoralis muscle at the inferior border and would most likely avulse some small arteries (perforators) that would be difficult to control. Hope that helps you

George Min, MD

Kirkland Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA Breast Augmentation

I personally think that a transumbilical breast augmentation is an operation that should not be done as it has significant inherent risks. There are much more risks than benefits and is something that has had significant morbidity. I do not recommend it as there are far more accessible routes to perform breast augmentation. These include transaxillary (armpit incision) as well as inframammary fold. These provide for more optimal results, as well as correction of asymmetries. In most cases,... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Implants - TUBA and Submuscular Implants

Hi Meeko in san jose, Yes, you can. You should, as with any other procedure, be sure that you go to a board-certified plastic surgeon who's experienced in the technique(s) you're interested in. Implants can, in general, be placed in the submuscular position even via a TUBA technique. As you probably know, you'll need to opt for saline filled implants (rather than silicone gel) if you want TUBA. I hope that this helps, and good luck, Dr. E more

Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA

I also am not a large proponent of this procedure, while it leaves you with no scar on the breast it does have some concerns as far as revisions and placement. If you are set on having this procedure--I'd recommend you see Dr. Edwin Pound as he does more of these than anyone in the country to my knowledge.

Thomas B. Lintner, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

The TUBA procedure is a good operation

I have been doing the Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) for almost twenty years now and approximately 4000 patients from all over the world. I have a LOT of experience with this approach. It can be done with the implants placed above or below the chest muscle. The benefits of the TUBA approach is that there is only a single small scar hidden within the belly button. Also, since there is less cutting of the tissue, the recovery seems to be faster and there... more

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

TUBA risks and benefits

I am not a proponent of tis procedure due to its limitations including difficult access to the sub muscular plane, higher incidence of improper placement and limitation to saline implants. Be sure to weigh the benifits of perhaps a less noticeable scar with these issues. Be sure that any surgeon who does a TUBA is familiar with the more traditional inframammary or areolar incisions so that in case an issue arises he or she is capable of fixing the problem, which may be... more

Terrence Murphy, MD

Englewood Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

TUBA - Can it be done under the muscle?

In a word - yes! In fact, I think the surgery is technically easier to perform under the muscle than trying to insert the implant on top of the muscle. Another point I would make is don't be discouraged and keep looking for someone who has experience with this approach. There are a lot of 'theoretical' objections to this procedure, but for the right patient it is a great technique. There is only one small and inconspicuous incision and results should be comparable to... more

Jon F. Harrell, DO

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA Breast Augmentation - Breast Implants through the belly button

TUBA breast augmentation is performed by making an incision around the belly button and tunneling the implants up to the breasts. It is not approved to be performed with silicone implants and therefore, this technique is reserved for saline implants. In addition, the rate of complications and lower of level of patient satisfaction with this technique even in the most experience hands results in few qualified plastic surgeons offering this procedure. Although it may seem attractive, the... more

Ankit Desai, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

TUBA and unattended consequences

The problem with TUBA's that most surgeons don't mention is that even if you have no complications, someday your implants will have to be replaced and either a peri-areolar or inframammary incision will need to be used. The same can be said of the transaxillary (under arm) approach. I have seen this happen a number of times and I can tell you the women were unhappy about not being warned about it. TUBA's are not what they are cracked up to be. The procedure is... more