Opinions on Armpit Incision for Breast Implants Repair?

Recently, found out via digital mammogram that the left one Breast implant has ruptured extracapsularly toward my shoulder. I'm waiting for MRI results to see if the right one is also ruptured. I am having difficulty finding any cosmetic surgeon in Houston who will use the incision under my armpit to remove and replace the implants. I do not want visible scars. Any comment regarding my desire to go through the armpit incision for this second surgery?

Read my review "Silicone Implants with Beautiful Results Lasted 30 Years Before Rupturing"

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by PFV in Houston in Houston Texas

Doctor Answers (8)
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You need to have an incision on or near the breast

The armpit incision isn't good for dealing with complex breast implant revisions. In order to handle these situations properly, it is necessary to have visualization and exposure. These are not available through the armpit. The reason the surgeons in your area are resistant to your request is that it would not allow them to do the necessary work safely. The periareolar and crease scars are very acceptable after they heal to most patients.

Breast implant revision through armpits

The transaxillary approach is a very difficult approach to get good access to perform a breast revision surgery. I would opt for a periareolar or inframammary incision to get better access and control of the problem.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Revision of Breast Augmentation through Armpit Incision

Hi there- Congratulations on having gotten 30 years of satisfaction with your initial implants! I do not think that under any circumstances you should be in a hurry to have your current situation managed through the same incision however. Your needs at this point are much different- initially, you wanted larger breasts and to avoid visible scarring... At this point, the goal is to remove as much of the free silicone as possible while still achieving a pleasing breast shape. Considering the need more

Difficult to perform ruptured gel implant removal from transaxillary approach

The advantage of a transaxillary incision for breast augmentation is that there are no incisions on the breast. The disadvantage of this incision is that if there is a complication it may not be treatable through this incision. With the existing equipment there is no way to technically perform a ruptured silicone gel implant removal and capsulectomy from this approach. Most plastic surgeons will use either the areolar incision or the inframammary crease incision.

Periareolar or inframammary incision

You will probably need a capsulectomy as well as cleaning up the silicone. Pretty difficult to do a good job on your repair through the armpit.

Implant Revision

You will unlikely find a good plastic surgeon that would do a revision through the arm pit incision. It is a very limited incision and not recommended if you want to place silicone implants again. It causes to much damage and strain on the shell. Besides you need all that silicone mess cleaned up and no done well through that incision. You will likely hear most plastic surgeons tell you, you need a periareolar incision or inframammary incision. In fact, in patients that I offer the arm... more

Armpit incision not really good for breast implant redos

Hello, Many plastic surgeons like myself shy away from the arm pit incision due to the fact that it can rarely be used for redos as well as positioning problems. If you want the procedure done correctly, then you will likely need to accept another incision for your re-operation.

Breast implant revisions through armpit are difficult

One of the reasons that the armpit incision isn't used as much as others is the near-impossibility of doing any reoperation through the same approach. While some procedures can be done, with rupture it just isn't a good idea.