What is recommended going through the armpit or the nipple for a 350cc silicone implant? I have very small nipples that are very round and on the darker side. please let me know the pros and cons.
The Dr. recommended the armpit because my nipples are small. I am concerned about the scar size on my armpit and I am worried that it will be visible. I don't want to have to worry about these scars showing in the summer time. please let me know your opinions. Photo attached.
You will have scars for the rest of your life whatever your choice of incision. You need to decide where you want your scars based on your favorite activities and clothing. You do not want armpit scars if your hobby is ballroom dancing. You may not wish prominent breast scars if you like going topless.
I do a great number of transaxillary (armpit) breast augmentations and do not agree that the final shape is any different than an augmentation through a breast incision.
Placement of a 350cc silicone gel implant through an armpit is very straightforward and will not produce a longer scar than the one needed to go through an inframammary approach.
Thank you for your question.
As you can see from the posted answers opinions vary greatly.
The most important issue is choosing an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does a lot of Breast Augmentation and follow his/her advice.
Generally, Silicone Implants require a larger incision which is easlily accomplished through an Infra-mammary Incison underneath the breast in the Infra-mammary Fold.
In my experience, the need for pocket revision or a secondary procedure is more common following an "arm pit" incision, because this is a "blind procedure"-the surgeon cannot see the pocket he is planning to place the Implant into.
The incision underneath the breast provides excellent visibility for the surgeon and will not be noticeable after surgery.
Web reference: http://drseckel.com/surgical-procedures/result-oriented-breast-augmentation-breast-enlargement/
Web reference: http://www.michaellawmd.com/gallery/breastaug1.html
Hi Kinzie,
There are several things to consider when deciding on which incision you use to perform your surgery. Cosmesis and the resulting scar are certainly an important consideration. Another consideration is the risk for capsular contracture. When a foreign body is placed in the body, the body reacts by forming a capsule of tissue around the foreign body. In the case of breast implants, this capsule can be soft or it can become hard and even painful. They can even distort the implant and result in poor cosmesis. This is termed a capsular contracture, and the rates of these can be quite high, depending on implant choices and incision type.
Recent evidence seems to indicate that there are higher rates of capsular contracture with peri-areolar (nipple) and trans-axillary (armpit) incisions. Using an incision in the fold under your breasts (IMF incision or inframammary fold incision) seems to be associated with the lowest rates of capsular contracture. The cosmesis of this incision is also ideal as it is hidden under your breasts. Armpit incisions have the potential of being seen every time you lift your arms.
The IMF incision also provides the surgeon with the best approach to perfect your implant pocket, alter the IMF if needed, and obtain hemostasis. Much of the armpit approach involves blind and blunt dissection.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Hi there-
I personally would not recommend the armpit incision to you- especially because of your concerns...
With an incision under your breast, you can expect it to remain hidden from view unless you are hiding nothing from view....
Armpit scars are NOT invisible, and the fact that you will have one on each side of your body just makes them even more conspicuous and attention grabbing. Furthermore, I do not believe that most experienced and skilled surgeons would agree that the shape of the breast is as reliably lovely as with the incision under the breast.
Having a cute scar under your arm won't make you happy if your breasts are funny looking.
Web reference: http://orlandoplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2010/01/achieving-beautiful-breasts-you-desire.html#f574
With 350 cc implants, I would opt for an infra-mammary incision (within the crease of your breast). Every surgeon has his or her own preference, but placing such large silicone implants through the armpit and nipple can be quite challenging, and in some cases there is a risk of damaging the implant. If your surgeon has a lot of experience with the armpit incision, he or she should be able to show photos of other women's scars. This will allow you to choose the best approach for your surgery. Good luck, /nsn.
Your areolae are not too small. You should know that they will expand about 1 cm in diameter after a breast augmentation. You could easily have implants inserted through a periareolar incision or inframammary incision. The transaxillary incision is less popular these days for several reasons. It can leave a troublesome scar that is visible when you raise your arm. Also, if you have repeat surgery (and most young women eventually do), a periareolar or inframammary incision will be needed - we cannot usually reoperate through an armpit incision. Better to minimize scars and have only one set of scars rather than two. It is also harder to dissect the pockets and get optimal cleavage and symmetry using the armpit approach. Today I use the inframammary approach in the vast majority of patients. The scar is kept within the inframammary crease, slightly on the underside of the breast where it is well-concealed and will not show when you wear something sleeveless and raise your arm.
Web reference: http://www.swansoncenter.com/content/ideal-breast/procedures/breast-augmentation/patient-photographs.asp
Silicone implants require, per the manufacturers, an incision of approximately 5 cm in length. Small areolas don't allow for an incision of this length. Armpit incisions are okay but unfortunately symmetric incisions are a classic sign of surgery. So you'll never be able to wear sleeveless tops.
The inframammary incision is the only incision that hides better than the others and causes the lease amount of damage to the breast. I make the incision 1cm below the fold. Thus when the implant is placed the skin that is recruited pulles the scar into the inframammary fold. It can be pulled during closure so that the actual scar will only be about 3cm in length. No one will see this incision. Even topless it is hard to see it. In addition this incision causes the least amount of trauma to the breast tissue.
The logic of this incision far exceeds any of the other incisions.
Web reference: http://www.drdonaplasticsurgery.com.au/breast-augmentation-videos/
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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