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Breast Implant Scars

I want larger breasts but I'm afraid that the scars will be obvious when I wear a swimsuit. Where and how big would the scars be if I got breast implants?

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scar surgery scar

I agree with Dr Horton

Dr Horton has written a very nice explanation of the possible options. Your scars should never be seen in a bathing suit. I prefer either the fold or the lower part of the areola. My patients choose. Good Luck! Dr Grant Stevens.

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Grant Stevens, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Implant Incision sites and scars Natural Looking Breast Augmentation

Three incisional approaches are commonly used for breast implant insertion: trans-axillary (underarm area), peri-areolar (from about the 4 to 8 o'clock position of the areolas), and inframammary fold (in or just above the crease below the breasts). No two patients are alike, so it is important to individualize the surgical plan for each patient's individual needs. An advantage of the peri-areolar incision is that the color and skin texture difference between areolar skin and the... more

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Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast implant scars fade well

There are several different incisions that can be made for placing breast implants. The good news is that none of them are easily visible in a swimsuit once they have healed and begin to fade. The two most common approaches for breast augmentation are with small incisions around the areola or in the crease underneath the breast. These are not typically more than a few centimeters (1 to 1 ½ inches) depending on the type and size of the implants. In fact, patients... more

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John K. Wakelin III, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

The "Scarless" Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation surgery does not have to leave a scar on your breast. I do all of my primary Breast Augmentations through an axillary (armpit) incision. The incision under the arm in general heals very well because there is no tension on the incision while healing. The other 2 popular incisions are periareolar or infra-mammary. The infra-mammary incision is very visible and in my opinion should be avoided completely.

Bernard Shuster, MD

Hollywood Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Hiding Breast Implant Scars

The good news is that scars are usually so well hidden after breast augmentation that very few women have concerns or difficulties with their scars! Incision scars for breast implants can be hidden and the choice of incision placement involves trade-offs: In the breast crease: Incisions in the breast crease can vary from 2cm (about 3/4-inch) for saline implants up to 4cm (1-1/2 inch) for the largest silicone implants. Because the saline implants are filled after they are placed... more

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Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scars for breast augmentation are usually hidden in your swimsuit

Breast implants are inserted through a variety of incision options: 1. In the fold under the breast (inframammary) 2. Around the areola (periareolar) 3. Through the areola and around the nipple (transareolar) 4. Through the armpit (trans-axillary) 5. Via the belly button (trans-umbilical) The inframammary fold (IMF) incision preserve the function of the function of the breast, namely breastfeeding and pleasure. I use this incision most commonly for breast augmentation surgery... more

Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Augmentation incisions heal well and are usually inconspicuous

There are many surgical approaches we can use to perform a breast implant surgery. These possible incisions are: PERIAREOLAR. In the limit of the colour transition of the lower areola. INFRAMAMARY. Just in the inframmamary fold. TRANSAXILLARY. Trough the armpit. TRANSAREOLAR. A transverse incision in the horizontal diameter of the areola. TRANSUMBILICAL. In the belly button. Personally I don't think 4 & 5 are good approaches. The election of the... more

Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Scars

There are three locations for breast implant incisions used in a majority of cases. They are in the crease, around the areola and in the axilla. They all have their pros and cons. Your BC surgeon should discuss these options with you and not only tell you which one they prefer, but why they use a particular incision. As a rule, breast implant incisions heal well and are pretty inconspicuous.

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Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Length of breast implant incisions

Breast augmentation scars depend on whether you are using saline implants or silicone. Since the saline implants are placed in the breast while deflated, the incision is shorter (approximately 3cm) while silicone implant scars are in the neighborhood of 5 cm.

Arian Mowlavi, MD

Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast implant scars

The three incisions used most commonly are in the breast crease, along the bottom of the areola, and in the armpit. Depending on how you scar, all three of these scars generally are favorable over time. In most bathing suits, you should not be able to see the bottom of the breast along it's crease or around the areola. However, a poorly healed or a raised scar in the armpit will be visible if you raise your arm in a tank top or bathing suit.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Augmentation Scar Placement Options

Excellent question. Scars associated with breast implants are typically placed in the following areas: Under the armpit, on the underside of the breast, and along the areola, which is the preferred method of approach in my practice for a number of reasons. Implants may also be place through the belly-button, if your surgeon of choice happens to use that approach. All approaches can be done with small incisions, typically 2 cm or less, even with larger implants. The only... more

Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Implants without scars?

Unfortunately, there is no surgery that I am aware of that leaves no scar. But, when appropriately placed, breast augmentation incisions should be nearly invisible. The most common approach for implant placement in California is via a periareolar incision. This is an incision at the junction of the areolar and breast skin. This heals with very little visibility and is easily covered by a bikini. The inframammary incision (beneath the breast) is my least favorite... more

Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast enhancement, breast augmentation, breast implants

Breast implants can be placed through a variety of different incisions, however the most direct approach is through the crease underneath the breast. This approach offers the best view for the surgeon to develop the pocket for the implant. Bleeding can easily be controlled, and the implant is not traumatized by being pushed through a tunnel from the armpit or belly button. Post-operative scar massage and topical bandaids made with medical grade silicone can help the scars fade very nicely in... more

Patti A. Flint, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Hidden scars in breast augmentation

Placement of incisions for breast augmentation is a personal choice which you make after consultation with your plastic surgeon. The 3 most common areas to place the incisions are: 1) In the fold under the breast: this allows easy access to create a pocket for the implant, either just under the breast or under the muscle which is below the breast. Choosing this incision location has a high degree of safety as there is very good visualization of the entire pocket and the... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Good choices for breast augmentation scars

There are many good choices for breast augmentation scars. Usually, the scars are not an issue. Some people are at higher risk for bad scars and that may dictate where the best place for the incisions will be. Where I practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, I see many Asian women who have beautiful skin but make bad scars. Women who don't have any droop to their breasts are going to have a more visible scar if made under the breast because their breasts don't... more

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Options in Breast Augmentation Scars

Scars from breast augmentation will generally be well-hidden in most swimsuits. Scarring is unfortunately an unavoidable byproduct of surgery. There are three most common approaches to breast augmentation: 1. Inframammary incision: The incision is placed in or near the fold at the bottom of the breast. This approach is probably the most common incision in breast augmentation. It allows for excellent exposure to place the implant above or below the... more

Naveen Setty, MD

Plano Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Hiding the Breast Implant Incision Site in a bikini

From previous discussions, there are 3 to 4 access sites for breast augmentation depending on the surgeon. Many factors are in consideration. One of the most important is your body and the way it heals incisions. If you have any scars, are they thick, red and raised vs. smooth, flat with no difference in coloration? This is probably the most important factor in how obvious the incision appears regardless of the location. To answer your question, to hide it in a bikini in my... more

Dennis J. Bang, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scarring After Breast Augmentation

Whenever you have an incision, you will have a scar. However, advanced techniques and the use of scar treatment programs can leave you with very discrete scars that are hardly recognizable. My preferred method for breast augmentation is through the areola. Here, you will have the least noticeable scar because the incision is made along the edge of the areola, naturally providing a line to hide the incision. Plus the skin here is much thinner, allowing for a thinner scar and quicker healing.... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Augmentation scars

There's several techniques to do this surgery. Some hide the scar in the armpit, some in the fold, some around the areola and other go through the umbilicus (belly button). That last one is a great place to hide a scar, but not a great place to do a breast augmentation through. The reason is that the other scars heal extremely well and in a month or two will already barely be perceptible. The axillary one is a great option so that there's no breast scar but not every one is a candidate for... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast implant scars are usually hidden

Breast augmentation can be completed using several different incisions: Periareolar (around the areola) Inframammary crease (under the breast) Transaxillary (through the armpit) Transumbilical (through the belly button) Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, with proper implant placement being easier through certain incisions. As well, the length of incision varies with the type of implant being placed - silicone requires a longer scar than saline, and silicone can't be put in... more

Kim Meathrel, MD

Ontario Plastic Surgeon

Most Patients Are Not Bothered By Their Breast Augmentation Incisions

As the title reflects, most patients are truly not bothered by their breast implant incisions. Your incisions (and their length) will be determined by several factors: location (in the breast fold, around the areola, or under the arm) type of implant (saline vs. silicone) The most popular incision site nationwide is the inframmamary crease approach where the incision is placed at or slightly above the breast crease. This incision tends to heal very nicely and is nicely... more

Gregory A. Buford, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast fold incision & Scar care

I recommend the infra-mammary fold incision. This incision will be hidden in the natural fold in the breast which will be hidden in a bathingsuit. Usually this scar heals very well sometimes fading out completely. I also recommend going with a scar care product post surgery and massaging the scars well.

Michael A. Fiorillo, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Augmentation Scars

I use three approaches for breast augmentation; axillary, areolar and inframammary. By far the most common incision I use is the inframammary ( breast fold) incision. The advantages of this incision are : I am always behind the breast tissue, so there is no scar within the breast itself: the scar is usually well hidden in the shadow of the breast; it can be used again if ever necessary and numbness of the nipple is less frequent. And, by the way, even my dancer patients favor this approach... more

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William H. Gorman, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Implant Scars

Any time an incision is made, there will be a scar, and an incision must be made for insertion of a breast implant. However, the scar can be made to be very inconspicuous. The transaxillary scar is actually not a breast scar as it is in the tpo of the axilla in a natural crease. The implant size is limited, however, and it must be placed on top of the muscle unless endoscopic instruments are used. To me, after doing breast implant surgery for over three decades, the most... more

Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Implant Scars, Location and Size

Scars should never be obvious when you wear a swimsuit, and only if done in the underarm would they even be barely visible. Scars are kept to a minimum length in my practice, just sufficient to make the pocket. For saline implants this can be as short as 2.5 -3.5 cm. or 1.0-1.5 inches. Incisions are repaired very securely with slowly absorbing sutures so there is no worry about the incision coming open in the healing process, and there are no sutures to remove. In the past, a gel... more

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