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Where Do You Normally Put a Breast Augmentation Incision for Darker Skinned Patients?

asked 1 year ago by Mzjackie05 in Austin, tx
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 610 times
Tags: armpit, Asian, complication, crease, dark skin, incision, options, placement, scar

I'm torn between what incision I want! I'm scared of scarring bad. I'm a tanned filipina, more brown than yellow and I did have my heart set on the under the armpit incision but I was told theres a possibility that "the gap" may be too wide, and that there's a higher risk of complications. I'm considering going under the crease, since it's right at the pocket. What incisions do you suggest most on your Asian clients?

20 answers to Where Do You Normally Put a Breast Augmentation Incision for Darker Skinned Patients?

Best breast augmentation for darker skin

For patients with darker skin we like the periareolar incision the most as there is a natural color transition in the skin, keloids don't occur, and you can wear very little to cover the area. We avoid an infra-mammary scar if at all possible, and our second choice is under the arm. With skill there should not be complications with this approach, and the implant can be positioned quite accurately as with any other technique. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Breast augmentation scars

A bad scar such as a keloid is problematic whether it is on your breast or in your armpit. There are a number of factors that have to be taken into account when deciding on which approach to use to place breast implants. Given the limited information in your post in the absence of photos or a face to face examination it is impossible to say which approach would be best in your case. Even if the implants are placed via the armpit at some point in time they will have to be removed or... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation incisions

Both inframammary (near the crease) and periareolar scars tend to heal well. No one can ever predict with 100% certainty how any scar will heal, however, and if you are concerned about how the scar may appear, an inframammary scar is usually concealed beneath the augmented breast while a periareolar scar is near the focal point (nipple) of the augmented breast. Good luck. My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor... more

Craig S. Rock, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

INCISIONS FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

Darker skinned individual generally do better with an incision placed at the areolar cutaneous junction. It is not uncommon for inframammary and axillary scar to remain dark for a long time. However areolar scars can appear lighter than the surrounding skin color. There are no guarantees with any approach. You are smart to explore all your options.

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

Breast Augmentation scars around nipples heal best in dark skin.

Hi. Most dark skinned women heal just fine. And not everybody is a good candidate for the peri areolar approach. But the scars inside the darker skin of the areola tend to be the least noticeable. see video

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Scar Placement for Augmentation

The other two options for incision placement and subsequent scars are just above the fold beneath the breasts or at the juncture of the areola and breast skin. They both tend to do well over time, but if you are especially concerned about visibility of the scar, I would opt for the inframammary incision. The advantage to this incision is the fact that there is color difference already present.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Placement of scar for Augmentation

I would want to know if you have any history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring? Have you had other operations, stitches and how have these healed? Although no guarantees, it can give us an indication of how you may heal. I have used incisions around the periareola, inframammary crease and directly on the breast of Asians and African Americans. I allow the patient to be actively involved in the decision discussing the pros and cons of each incision and risk of... more

Albert Dabbah, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Incision Line for Darker Skin Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. Generally, I prefer the infraareolar incision for breast augmentation patients with darker skin. I have found that this incision line tends to blend in as much as possible with the areola pigmented skin. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Breast incision location

Hello, I would place some importance on the location of the incision that gives you the best shape and appearence of your breasts. The incision appearence will look similar based on your genetics regardless of where it is placed. An incision in the breast fold tends to give the surgeon the most control however every surgeon has their preference. I would go with whatever incision the plastic surgeon you have chosen feels most comfortable with. All the best, Dr. Repta more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

In the crease incision preferred

My preference in to put the incision in the crease under the breasts. The subsequent scar is generally well hidden and is rarely a concern for patients. Asian patients tend to have a little higher risk of thicker (hypertrophic) scars which is one reason to avoid scars in more obvious places such as around the areola.

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Best breast incision for darker skinned patients

Choosing the best incision for breast augmentation There are basically four choices of incision for placing breast implants - Inframammary, per-areaolar, transaxillary and trans-umbilical. Choosing the incision for placement of the implants which is best in any given situation can be affected by many factors – these can be broken down into patient specific factors and surgeon specific factors. Patient specific factors include ethnicity and tendency for poor... more

W. Tracy Hankins, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Incision choice in Breast Augmentation: Depends on breast and implant type

The incisions from breast augmentation are relatively small for any breast implant, ranging from 3 to 4 cm in length. Silicone breast implants require a slightly larger incision as compared to saline breast implants, and silicone breast implants can be difficult to place through an armpit incision without an "s" type incision which can be noticeable. I would not exactly say that a transaxillary breast augmentation leaves you with a "gap", i would say that these incisions... more

Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Best incision for breast augmentstion in dark skin.

Hello from Miami, In my experience, the trans-axillary incision is the best choice. Many plastic surgeons that are not trained in this procedure will try to dissuade you. The reality is that the trans-axillary approach when performed using an endoscope (camera) will give you the same exact result than any other approach. As far as replacing implants, you can absolutely replace saline, or silicone through the axillary approach, I have been performing trans-axillary... more

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

The preferred incision for breast augmentation in dark skinned patients

The most common incisions used across the country are the inframmamary( underneath the breast) and the periareolar( along the lower end of the areola .In patients who have a higher propensity to have thickened scars such as African-American, Latinos and Asians and who have very little breast tissue I tend to use the periareolar incision because it usually heals very well. The inframmamary incision can also be used especially if the breasts are not too flat so that the incision is better... more

George Lefkovits, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Incision Around the Areola is Best for Dark Skin

In dark skinned people, the incision around the areola produces the least noticable scar. The belly button incision is not adequate for silicone implants.

John Squires, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Issues regarding incisions for breast augmentation for an Asian-American patient

For my dark complected patients including Asians I prefer an incision at the fold at the bottom of the breast (inframammary crease) though a second choice would be at the junction of the lower portion of the areola and breast skin. It is very rare for the development of keloids or thick, hypertrophic scars at these locations when proper intraoperative and postoperative care is taken. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that the risk of reoperation in breast augmentation is lowest when... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Breast Augmentation Scars in Ethnic Patients

On many of my Asian patients, the periareolar incision is the one most used. The scar hides nicely in the interface between the areolar skin and the breast skin. If you have a well-defined breast fold, this can also be a reasonable place for the incision. An under the armpit approach can leave a "gap" as you mention, if it is not done with proper visualization, as with the use of an endoscopic camera to assist with the operation. Regardless, the location of... more

Samuel Sohn, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

The best incision

There is no 100% correct incision and if there were one, all plastic surgeons would use that incision. You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and pick the incision that will work for you. In general transaxillary apporach (without scope)has higher redo rate due to blind dissection and less control over the implant and infra-mammary fold position.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation Scarring

If you are opting for saline filled breast implants then they could be placed through the belly button approach, which would conceal the scar within the only natural scar of the body (i.e. the belly button). Good luck.

Ryan Stanton, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation

For my asian patients I usually say the areola is better because even if it scars dark it will blend with the areola. Armpit does not necessary have more complications if you go to someone who knows how to do that procedure, but if it scars dark you will have a dark line in your armpit.