Where and how big would the scars be if I got breast implants?

Scars should never be obvious when you wear a swimsuit, and only if done in the underarm would they even be barely visible. Scars are kept to a minimum length in my practice, just sufficient to make the pocket.  For saline implants this can be as short as 2.5 -3.5 cm. or 1.0-1.5 inches. Incisions are repaired very securely with slowly absorbing sutures so there is no worry about the incision coming open in the healing process, and there are no sutures to remove.

In the past, a gel implant required a larger incision than a saline implant.  The saline implant comes deflated and can be placed through a 2.5-3.5 cm incision. However, a gel implant comes fully filled from the manufacturer, so one must imagine the full size of the new breast fitting through the incision. The larger the implant, the larger is the required incision. In fact in the past, implants in the 400 cc or larger range required incisions of 4.5-5.25 cm or larger. The reason the incision had to be longer is because one cannot force an implant through an incision that is too small. In the first place, the implant will simply not go through the incision, and secondly, the manipulation required to gradually introduce the implant could traumatize the implant shell, possibly leading to early implant failure.  The usual procedure is to make an incision of adequate length, and then if there is any significant resistance at the time of insertion, to stop, remove the implant and slightly lengthen the incision.

For patients requesting gel implants, I always now give them the option of using a Keller Funnel, to get the smallest possible incision.  This innovation in breast augmentation surgery allows placement of gel implants through incisions that are often as small as the incision required for saline implants.  This depends on the implant size, but since most women have implants of 400 cc or smaller, most women can have their implants placed through an incision length of 3.5-3.75 cm, the same as saline implants. You can read more about the Keller Funnel at their website.

The result is a shorter scar and minimal handling or trauma to the implant regardless of incision location.  The incision location is an individualized decision made in consultation with the patient based on her anatomy, location preference and consideration of trade-offs and advantages with each incisional approach.  Since I offer a choice of all incision locations, patients make their own choice after consideration of the pros and cons associated with each.

There are several ways to place the incision so that it iswell hidden in natural skin folds or breast transitions.

1.Periareolara.Hidden at the natural transition from the areola
and the breast skin. The incision can be
hidden in this natural color transition



2.Inframmary Fold a.The incision is hidden in the fold below the
breast.



3.Axillaa.The incision for the implant can be hidden in
one of the natural axilla folds.

It is important to see your board certifiedplastic surgeon to help guide you to an implant that will give you anaesthetically pleasing breast.

The size of the scar for saline implants placed through the armpit incision using the surgical camera is not dependent on the size of the implant.  The scar size is fixed based on the small size of the equipment.  These scars are well hidden and heal very nicely.

There are several different options for breast augmentation incisions. Periareolar and inframammary fold incisions are the most commonly used. Both scars are very well concealed, even in bathing suits. I prefer the inframammary fold incision as it is well hidden in the fold, has the lowest incidence of nipple sensation change and has a lower incidence of capsular contraction. The incision is normally 4-5cm for Silicone implants. I hope this helps. 

Scar location for Breast Augmentation surgery for my practice is usually in the armpit (transaxillary) location.  Many of my patients prefer this location as it is virtually hidden in a crease in the armpit.  The incision is usually around 1 to 2 inches in length and closed with dissolvable sutures.

Assuming that you simply need implants and do not need a lift of any kind there are different locations where scars can be placed. All the scar locations are relatively inconspicuous and should be hidden with most style bathing suits. The two permanent incisions I use are under the breasts (breast crease incisions) and an areolar approach which is a small incision at the underside of the areola. I generally prefer under the breast incision as studies have shown a lower risk of scar hardening called capsular contracture because this incision avoids dissection through milk ducts or other tissues that can carry bacteria, which can potentially contaminate the implant. Some surgeons also place implants through the armpit (transaxillary) approach. This approach has shown the highest rates of capsular contracture and this is the only incision of the three that is visible in a bikini so I do not think this is the best option for you. There is one final approach and that is the belly button, which is called the transumbilical breast augmentation. This is a very low precision technique which can only be performed with saline implants and I would absolutely not recommend this technique for patients. The scars from the standard breast augmentation are generally fairly short and usually very well camouflaged. Keep in mind the scars also fade over time and become less noticeable with each month.

Thank you for your inquiry! If you are just getting implants, the scar would be below the breasts in the crease, where the breast come off the chest. Small incision. Typically, unable to be seen. Schedule a consult with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

Excellent question. Scar placement is an important decision when performing a breast augmentation. The easiest scar to hide with a bikini would be a peri-areolar scar. But all scars are meant to be easily hidden with a small braw or bikini. Most common places are:1. The peri-areiloar scar, it is hidden around the areola on the transitional skin between areola and normal breast skin, usually on the lower half only. 2. The infra-mamary fold scar, it is hidden within the breast fold. This scar might be visible if the bikini rides up or if the placement is slightly bellow the fold.Other scar placements may be trans-axillary (through the armpit), or trans-umbilical (via the belly button). Trans-axillary is usually reserved for smaller silicone implants or saline implants, and trans-umbilical is used with saline only. These are all good options if your are ok with their pros and cons. Saline implants require a smaller scar, but silicone implants feel, look and fill out the breasts much better the saline implants do. Contacting a plastic surgeon for specific info on saline verses silicone may help you decide. Best of luck on your surgery,Dr. Miguel Mota

Thank you for your question 
There is a variety of incision options
The inframammary fold where the incision made in fold under the breast commonly for breast augmentation surgery.The peri-areolar incisions are usually around the bottom of the areola. 
Also The trans-axillary incisions are in the armpit, or axillary area and others also but The best access to place very large Silicone Implants is the Inframammary Incision which is placed near or in the crease below the breast.you can  improve your scar after Breast Implants by using scars creams and getting a scar removal laser.
Good luck:)
Güncel Öztürk MD

The three most common incisions are:1. inframammay: in the crease at the bottom of the breasts.2. periareolar: along the border of the areola3. transaxillary: in a crease in the armpitDifferent surgeons have preferences for different incisions. Personally, I prefer the inframammary incision in most cases. It leave an inconspicuous scar that is hidden by virtually all swimsuits and bras. It allows direct access to create a pocket in which to place the implant with very little cutting through breast tissue. This minimizes the risk of infection or difficulty breast feeding in the future. Finally, it allows for good visualization of the entire pocket for the surgeon so that a precisely placed implant can be achieved. 

The most common area for incisions in breast augmentation are periareolar and in the IMF. Both heal very well with minimal scarring and can be hidden in a bikini.