Is Breast Augmentation Through Tummy Tuck Incision Possible?

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

This is basically a TUBA procedure done through a tummy tuck incision. Any surgeon that does the trans-umbilical augmentation can do the trans-abdominal route. It is technically easier to do anyway. The real question is why. Since silicone implants are available to everyone over 22 for augmentation the TUBA procedure has lost interest as it is best for saline implants. The trade-off of the small breast incision for the benefits of a sub-muscular silicone implant is well worth it. The long term results and the lower risks of the breast incision usually is the best option.

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!

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.

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.

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.

yes.  some surgeons do these procedures commonly.  the truth is, the further your incision is from the area you are operating, the more control you lose.  that is why most plastic surgeons avoid the TUBA (breast augmentation through the belly button).  breast implants can be typically placed through very small incisions on the breast, or even in the armpit.  sometimes the sacrifice of a small scar for the offer of improved control is worth it.

Sure, it's possible, and few plastic surgeons want to admit they haven't done something others claim to have done. If a plastic surgeon has done pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstructions, abdominal tissue is separated from its native position, but left attached to the rectus muscle for blood supply. This tissue is then transposed through the upper abdominal area to the breast or breasts after mastectomy. Placing implants via this approach is indeed possible in similar fashion, and even easier than a pedicled TRAM. But as others have stated, just because it's possible doesn't make it the best way. The main reason patients even ask about this potential option is concern about (or wishing to avoid) the scars on the breasts. What is often failed to be mentioned is that any poor result from this approach requires a scar on the breast(s) to fix the problem(s). And if a poor result or bad position or higher risk of capsular contracture or infection is attendant with this (tummy tuck) approach to the breasts, then there is a higher risk of getting the very scar(s) you wished to avoid, not to mention the extra cost and time for recovery.

Please reconsider, even if your surgeon is willing to try this higher-risk approach.

It is possible to undergo breast augmentation through a tummy tuck incision, but I favor a separate incision through the areola to acheive uniform results with good cosmesis. 

Yes, it is definitely possible.  In fact, you could get a wonderful outcome without additional scars.  The problem is there is a certain degree of inaccuracy in pocket creation.  If augmentation was a unilateral operation, this may not be as big of a deal.  However, one of the most, if not THE most important aspects of a successful breast augmentation is symmetry.

The scars from a well executed routine breast augmentation are rarely a problem.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.