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Can I Replace Saline Implants with Silicone Implants Through my Armpits?
I had my saline breast implants 15 years ago. Can I replace it with silicone implants go through my armpits?
I had a consultation with my Dr. He said the only way he can replace silicone implants is go through the nipple area. Because he has to remove the capsule.
Asked 37 months ago by
pham in california
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Breast implant replacement through the axillary incision
There is no question that you could change out your saline implants with silicone implants through the axillary incision. I do it every week.
You have to find someone who specializes in this approach, as most plastic surgeons do not feel comfortable with this incision, so they love to poo poo this approach. The facts are that I have done about 2,000 breast augmentations over the last 20 years, and have replaced 76% of the implants back through the armpit incision when needed.
The...
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+3
It depends...
I prefer not to put in silicone implants via the axillary (armpit) approach, although it can be done. Too much distortion of the muscle and a large incision are required. I prefer to only put in saline implants via the axillary. If you have firm or hard breasts or capsular contractures, you are not able to perform capsulectomies via the axilla and will need it to be performed via the periareolar or inframammary approaches. Why are you adverse to the other approaches?
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Reoperation through armpit
It would be possible but technically difficult and time consuming to remove the capsule and the old implants through an armpit incision using an endoscope. The operative time would be much greater than for a direct approach underneath the breast or around the areola.
A much more direct and safer way would be through an existing incision around the areola or underneath the breast.
+2
Replacing Implants Through The Armpit
It is technically possible to replace implants through an armpit incision, whether the implants are saline or silicone.
Capsulectomy (removal of the old breast implant capsule is not feasible through the armpit: if you require capsulectomy, an areola or breast crease incision is necessary.
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Axillary Incisions for Breast Augmentation
I agree that except for very large implants it should be possible for an experienced surgeon to replace your saline implants through an axillary incision. As the other physicians have noted the challenge come from your capsule.
To get the capsule out completely you may require an areolar (below the nipple) incision or an inframammary incision (in the breast fold).
I hope this helps.
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The size of the new implants will determine whether this is possible.
An axillary approach for silicone implants is limited because large implants require an incision that is too long to hide in an armpit location.
The vast majority of women who seek reoperation in my practice do so to go to a larger implant size. That means that I am usually placing implants that are 400 cc or larger in the patients who are second-time implant seekers. This size can not be comfortably placed through an axillary approach. I prefer to use a fold approach for these larger...
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+2
Depends on the size and the reason
Huy,
Your saline implants can indeed be replaced with silicone implants through the armpit (axillary) incision. However, you will be limited in the size of implant that can be inserted (maximum 350-375cc) and by your need for work on the capsule. If your breasts are currently soft with no capsular contracture, then minimal or no capsular work needs to be done and the replacement can probably proceed through the armpit. Good luck!
+2
It all depends on your anatomy
Huy, Implants can be placed through the axillary, areolar or inframammary fold incisions. However, choosing the incision site really depends on your anatomy. If you need extensive capsule work done, then the areolar or inframammary incision is probably the best choice. Remember not to compromise your results by trying the hide your incision. All three choices for incision sites tend to heal very well. I hope you find this helpful. David Shafer, MD New York City
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Areola or crease would be better
The crease is the easiest way to do breast revisionary surgery followd by the areola. It would be technically difficult through the armpit and probably not in your best interest.
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Unlike to use axillary incision to replace saline implants with silicone
If your saline implants are in a loose pocket and positioned as you want them, you can use an existing axillary incision to place similarly sized silicone implants. If you want to go much bigger, if the implants are not positioned well , or if there is capsular contracture, I wouldn't recommend it. A larger scar is needed for a silicone implant and there is a limit to the size that can be placed through the axilla.
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Just because something is possible doesn't mean you should do it
I would recommend a more direct approach (periareolar or inframammary) for your breast implant revision surgery. Going through the armpit doesn't allow for capsule removal, which may be necessary. It also won't allow anything more than a small silicone implant to be placed--and the track from the armpit to the breast has to be widened to fit that silicone implant, which means the implant may be more prone to migration back up into your armpit.
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Replacing saline with silicone through the axilla
The answer to your question depends upon the reasoning behind the exchange. If you need to have significant work on the capsule due to contracture or implant malposition, the axillary incision makes this quite difficult to do. This is simply due to anatomic reasons. A periareolar or inframammary incision allows for much easier manipulation of the capsule.
To simply exchange from saline to silicone, it depends on the size of the implant. Very large silicone implants are difficult to place...
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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
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An axillary incision can be used if it was used originally and yours is a simple size for size replacement.
If all you are asking simply to replace your saline implants with a similar size gel implant and there are no other issues to be addressed then an axillary incision is certainly a excellent approach. This is especially true if the axillary incision was used to insert your present implants. However, if another (inframammary or areola) was used then my first choice would be to utilize this original incision rather then create a second scar in the axilla. In addition, if you desired...
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+1
Implants can be replaced through an old axillary (armpit) incision but it is complicated.
The axillary approach is done at a distance. That is, a tunnel from the armpit to the submammary space is created so the implant can be properly places. This complicates revisional surgery since endoscopic equipment will be needed to remove the capsule (which probably should be done). I think it better to go through an inframammary approach. The operation is direct, shorter, and probably a little safer.
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Breast implant exchange through the arm pit incision
It is possible to perform a breast implant exchange through the arm pit incision. In the past, we have been limited as to the size of silicone breast implant that could be placed through the arm pit incision. However, in our practice with specific techniques, we have successfully placed silicone breast implants through the armpit incision of sizes up to 500 cc's. This can be a tricky procedure so it is essential that you only work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a...
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+1
Direct approach usually best
A direct approach utilizing an incision around the nipple or in the fold below is a much technically easier and safer way to remove a breast capsule. Although it can be done from the armpit, it is technically more difficult and will likely take a longer time under anesthesia. As far as placing a silicone implant through an armpit incision is concerned, I find that the incision required to do so is unacceptably long.
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Breast Implant replacement through the axilla
Implant replacement with removal of the complete capsule is technically very difficult through the axilla. Some doctors use an endoscope that make the surgery possible. Also, the capsule may or may not need to be removed or modified. This is an individual requirement. Capsulotomies might be able to be done blindly through the armpit. In general, plastic surgeons do warn patients that if they have the implant placed through the transaxillary incision, later revisions might require a second...
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Don't recommend revision breast augmentation throught the armpit.
Hi.
The question is not can someting be done. The question is how will you get the best result. I think you will get a better more predictable result from secondary breast augmentation with silicone breast implants with an incision under the breast or under the nipple.
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Breast implant replacement through armpit possible, but might not be the best option
Technically possible to do implant replacement through armpit, but the nipple approach will give a better control of dissection of the capsule. In addition to this, the axillary incision used for insertion of a breast implant will be quite large. This makes the axillary approach not that usefull.
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Saline implants can be exchanged with silicone implants through the armpit
If a surgeon tells you he has to use a different incision It is most likely he has little experience with exchanging saline implants with silicone implants through the armpit. This is a very comon procedure and if a patient has a significant capsule a capsulotomy can be performed through the same incision. If the physician is very experienced with breast augmentation procedures then he should have extensive experience with all of the various approaches and should be able to treat a normal...
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+1
Removal or replacement of breast implants
Many patients choose to remove their saline implants and replace them with silicone gel implants. I would recommend going through a peri-areolar incision instead of the armpit. There are less complications and risks going through an areolar incision. Also, it decreases the risk of implant malposition.
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Probably not possible to replace implants through armpits
Hello,
If you have a significant capsule that needs even partial removal or want silicone implants, you are probably better off going through the areola or under the breast.
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Axillary or Armpit Incision for Saline and Silicone Implants
Technically, this surgery can be performed. However, as your physician has stated, it may not be advisable in your specific situation. The determination of incision sites is based on several factors, including the degree of preoperative distortion of the breasts, symmetry, capsular contracture, and the volume of the intended new implants.
I would advise you to consider the axillary approach as well as using your previous incisions on the breast. The goal of surgery is not only to minimize...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
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Implant exchange through armpits
I think that for any implant exchange going through the armpit would be almost impossible. Often a capsule develops that needs to be removed. Additionally the small incision in the armpit is usually not conducive to plasce silicone implants.
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Yes, I have placed many silicone gel implants through the arm pit incision.
A plastic surgeon with extensive experience can easily place a silicone gel implant through an arm pit incision. The only real difference is that the incision must be considerably longer but in the end usually not much more noticeable. I use the smooth wall gel implants when placing them through the arm pit. I never have used a endoscope because I have never felt the need to use one. Having done over a thousand pairs of trans axillary augmentations I have only had to make an additional...
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