Can You Use the Same Incision to Increase Breast Size?

It all really depends on your specific situation and the skill of your surgeon. However, in most cases, the surgery can be done through the same incision without a problem. Good luck.

It is still possible to use the axillary approach. This will be a more likely situation if you have saline implants and are planning on staying with saline implants. I prefer to use an endoscope for my transaxillary breast augmentations.
However, I do not prefer to place silicone implants via the axillary approach. Most often, I will use the periareolar or inframammary approach for primary and secondary cases. Having said this, you should not fear the periareolar approach to your surgery as the scars, many times, heal beautifully.

Hi there,
I think whether it is advisable to use this incision really depends on what your ultimate goal is. A minor increase in size that involves the addition of fluid to an existing saline implant should be possible. Placement of a larger implant (particularly if silicone is your preference, with adjustment of the breast shape), would not.
I would review your goals for volume increase with your surgeon. Only after a good exam and review of your goals will he/she be able to say whether your goals are attainable through the existing scar, or whether another incision is advisable.
I think it bears emphasizing that using the existing scar is only something worth doing if it will give you what you want.

If you're exchanging implants, it is possible to use a transaxillary incision to perform the procedure.  If you need pocket revision or something more involved than just an exchange, typically another approach is required.
Hope this helps!
Dr. Kaufman

Certainly the same incision can be used to replace implants provided that there is no significant capsule or other problems with the pocket. It is very hard to correct problems from a transaxillary approach.

Hello,
Doing much capsule work (like a capsulotomy) through the arm pit incision can be difficult. This is one of the reason many docs are not-so-crazy about the "through the arm pit" approach.
So the answer is it depends upon what surgery needs to be done through the arm pit that second time around. If it is simple, maybe it could be done.

If it is just a simple exchange to increase the size of your implants, yes, the transaxillary incision is fine. If you need a complex capsulectomy performed at the same time, your surgeon might suggest a different incision. Depending on how much "work" needs to be done to the pocket around the implant, more direct incisional approaches might give your surgeon better access / exposure, and you might end up with a better result.
You should visit with a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your goals, listen to their suggestion and reasons for their preference. Good luck!

There is no question that the transaxillary incision can be used to exchange implants. That has been my prefered method for the 20 years that I have been in practice. In those years, 74% of my revisions have been able to be done through the transaxillary approach the second time.

I agree with other physicians who have answered this question, as there are some other things to think about, such as how big you would like to go, and how big the pocket is currently. It is almost impossible to do a capsulectomy (removal of the entire capsule, which is scar around the implant) through the armpit, but you can do a capsulotomy through the armpit fairly easily (cutting through the scar to make the pocket bigger).

I have put in large implants through this incision (700 to 800), so I do disagree with saying that there is a "maximum" size that can be placed through the armpit. One of the biggest factors is how comfortable your surgeon is with that approach. The more familliar, the less trouble he or she will have using that incision for revisions.

Make sure that you find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to take care of you, and preferably one that is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, as these surgeons do most of their work in Aesthetic surgery. Good luck with your search, and having a successful surgery and recovery.

It depends on what you are changing in terms of implant size and the technical experience of the surgeon. In general, it is harder to do revisions from the armpit incisions since it is basically a blind procedure, even though some surgeons use an endoscopic approach.
When you change the width or position of the implant, you will often need to remove the capsule or open up the periphery of the capsule and both are difficult to accomplish accurately through the armpit incision. If you are simply changing the profile/profection but using the same width, it may be easier since the surgeon only has to open up the front of the capsule.
When in doubt, it is better to use a periareolar or inframammary approach if appropriate and certainly you will need to plan for this if your surgeon is having trouble with the armpit approach.

Hello
I believe it depends on how much larger you want to be, how long it has been since the first surgery, and the comfort level of the surgeon. It may be helpful to use an endoscope to look at the pocket and assist in making it larger.
In addition, if you have silicone implants, I doubt that anything much larger can be placed through the armpit without affecting the quality of that armpit scar. A significantly larger silicone implant would need a different incision, most likely in the fold.
Make sure you return to your original surgeon if you were happy with his/her services and explain carefully what your goals are as far as size. Going up an ounce (30 cc) or two may not do much, and you may need to explore different options with your surgeon.
Best of luck as you go through the process. Most patients who have sought us out for increase in size are happy they went ahead.