I had read of a procedure that allows a breast augmentation while doing a tummy tuck, using the tummy tuck incision rather than incising the breast. Is this a commonly used procedure? Would it be as accurate placement if it was done using this method?
Answer: Breast Augmentation is Probably Best Kept Separate from a Tummy Tuck
Disadvantages outweigh Benefits for using Tummy Tuck scar to place Breast Implants
Mommy Makeover procedures combining a Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck are highly satisfying for both patients and surgeon.
While it is possible to place breast implants through the Tummy Tuck incision, the disadvantages would seem to outweigh the benefits:
Benefit
Admittedly, not placing separate incisions for Breast Augmentation is a benefit, and conceptually I like this idea.
Disadvantages
Control and visualization - placing breast implants from the tummy tuck decreases control and visualization of the operation (especially silicone implants because silicone implants come fully-filled).
Capsular contracture - separate incisions allow us to keep the two areas of the tummy tuck and breast augmentation apart, and this should reduce the chances of cross-contamination and subsequent capsular contracture.
Hope this helps,
Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast Augmentation is Probably Best Kept Separate from a Tummy Tuck
Disadvantages outweigh Benefits for using Tummy Tuck scar to place Breast Implants
Mommy Makeover procedures combining a Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck are highly satisfying for both patients and surgeon.
While it is possible to place breast implants through the Tummy Tuck incision, the disadvantages would seem to outweigh the benefits:
Benefit
Admittedly, not placing separate incisions for Breast Augmentation is a benefit, and conceptually I like this idea.
Disadvantages
Control and visualization - placing breast implants from the tummy tuck decreases control and visualization of the operation (especially silicone implants because silicone implants come fully-filled).
Capsular contracture - separate incisions allow us to keep the two areas of the tummy tuck and breast augmentation apart, and this should reduce the chances of cross-contamination and subsequent capsular contracture.
Hope this helps,
Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Tummy tuck incision for breast augmentation What you are referring to is called TABA (Transabdominal Breast Augmentation). We just published the world's largest series of TABA in September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the premier publication for plastic surgeons. It is very common in my hands but rare worldwide. The placement is very accurate and gives a surgeon remarkable control of the placement to the lower part of the breast. The capsule contracture rate is remarkable low (this is the risk of hardness of a breast after any type of breast augmentation), because it is the only technique that keeps a breast implant from touching skin completely upon placement, while also providing drainage of the implant pocket preventing fluid and blood from collecting around the implant. This operation and technique was filmed by the Plastic Surgery Education Network in June of this year and it is available on YouTube. It is now being taught to plastic surgeons around the country and in several countries worldwide. Best of luck!
Helpful
Answer: Tummy tuck incision for breast augmentation What you are referring to is called TABA (Transabdominal Breast Augmentation). We just published the world's largest series of TABA in September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the premier publication for plastic surgeons. It is very common in my hands but rare worldwide. The placement is very accurate and gives a surgeon remarkable control of the placement to the lower part of the breast. The capsule contracture rate is remarkable low (this is the risk of hardness of a breast after any type of breast augmentation), because it is the only technique that keeps a breast implant from touching skin completely upon placement, while also providing drainage of the implant pocket preventing fluid and blood from collecting around the implant. This operation and technique was filmed by the Plastic Surgery Education Network in June of this year and it is available on YouTube. It is now being taught to plastic surgeons around the country and in several countries worldwide. Best of luck!
Helpful
December 6, 2014
Answer: Transumbilical Breast Augmentation Transumbilical breast augmentation is not popular because it makes placement of the implants more difficult. Only saline implants may be used as well since the path to the breasts has to be small, allowing only for an implant shell.
Helpful
December 6, 2014
Answer: Transumbilical Breast Augmentation Transumbilical breast augmentation is not popular because it makes placement of the implants more difficult. Only saline implants may be used as well since the path to the breasts has to be small, allowing only for an implant shell.
Helpful
December 28, 2015
Answer: Breast Augmentation Through Tummy Tuck Incision Yes not only is it possible but I prefer this technique. Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation Combination makes sense and is safe. Contrary to some of the answers I have found that the recovery time is not delayed and is the same as the tummy tuck procedure by itself. That is because you are healing simultaneously and not sequentially - both heal at the same time. The procedure only takes me about a half hour to 45 minutes longer than the tummy tuck alone. Best of all, I usually put in the breast implants through the tummy tuck incision so that there are no scars on the breasts.I have performed many of these combination procedures over the past few decades and think it is a great idea without significant increased complications.
Helpful
December 28, 2015
Answer: Breast Augmentation Through Tummy Tuck Incision Yes not only is it possible but I prefer this technique. Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation Combination makes sense and is safe. Contrary to some of the answers I have found that the recovery time is not delayed and is the same as the tummy tuck procedure by itself. That is because you are healing simultaneously and not sequentially - both heal at the same time. The procedure only takes me about a half hour to 45 minutes longer than the tummy tuck alone. Best of all, I usually put in the breast implants through the tummy tuck incision so that there are no scars on the breasts.I have performed many of these combination procedures over the past few decades and think it is a great idea without significant increased complications.
Helpful
May 9, 2012
Answer: Trans-abdominal breast augmentation/ Trans-umbilical breast augmentation
In the early 1970's, plastic surgeons found a new way for inserting breast implants in conjunction with a tummy tuck. In a tummy tuck, the fat and skin of the abdomen is undermined all the way up to the level of the ribs. It was then a simple matter of making a short tunnel from there to the breast in order to insert the breast implants. Years later, this same idea was expanded to the Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmetation (TUBA) procedure for inserting saline implants through a very small incision in the belly button. Instead of undermining up to the ribs, a small tunnel could be made in order to place the implants above or below the chest muscle. Both techniques are still very popular today.
Helpful
May 9, 2012
Answer: Trans-abdominal breast augmentation/ Trans-umbilical breast augmentation
In the early 1970's, plastic surgeons found a new way for inserting breast implants in conjunction with a tummy tuck. In a tummy tuck, the fat and skin of the abdomen is undermined all the way up to the level of the ribs. It was then a simple matter of making a short tunnel from there to the breast in order to insert the breast implants. Years later, this same idea was expanded to the Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmetation (TUBA) procedure for inserting saline implants through a very small incision in the belly button. Instead of undermining up to the ribs, a small tunnel could be made in order to place the implants above or below the chest muscle. Both techniques are still very popular today.
Helpful
August 14, 2011
Answer: Breast Implants through the tummy tuck incision
I do not recommend this. I do not think that this will allow for the best result. I agree that you need direct access to the area and in my opinion, the peri-areolar incision gives you the best access and therefore the best chance for a great result for breast augmentation surgery.
Helpful
August 14, 2011
Answer: Breast Implants through the tummy tuck incision
I do not recommend this. I do not think that this will allow for the best result. I agree that you need direct access to the area and in my opinion, the peri-areolar incision gives you the best access and therefore the best chance for a great result for breast augmentation surgery.
Helpful