Are these different incisions a preference to the plastic surgeon? Or is the place of incision decided on the day of surgery? Does the size of the implant have anything to do with the decision of the incision placement?
April 20, 2016
Answer: Incision choice Dear Ceedee808,Thanks for your question. You should discuss the choice of incision with your surgeon. This is most definitely decided prior to surgery, usually at the time of your consultation. The choice are usually periareolar, intraareolar/perithelial (beside the nipple within the areola), inframammary or axillary (armpit). When saline implants were used, transumbilical (through the belly button) was used but as silicone implants cannot be placed through this approach, this is rarely used nowadays.In my practice, I strongly believe the armpit scar provides the best possible scar and the safest surgery. We perform the sugery with endoscopic visualization, which means we us a surgical telescope to allow me see everything within the chest when we are performing the surgery. This provides complete control over the procedure. This is a newer, more advanced method to perform this surgery and most surgeons do not offer endoscopic, transaxillary (armpit incision) breast augmentation.Some surgeons will say that the armpit scar does not allow them complete control over the operation and it is more traumatic with more recovery, but if the surgery is done properly and skillfully under endoscopic control, this is not the case.Larger sizes cannot be placed through an incision at the edge of the areola or within the areola, if the areola is small, which is the case in many of my patients. In this case either an armpit incision or an incision under the breast may be used.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
April 20, 2016
Answer: Incision choice Dear Ceedee808,Thanks for your question. You should discuss the choice of incision with your surgeon. This is most definitely decided prior to surgery, usually at the time of your consultation. The choice are usually periareolar, intraareolar/perithelial (beside the nipple within the areola), inframammary or axillary (armpit). When saline implants were used, transumbilical (through the belly button) was used but as silicone implants cannot be placed through this approach, this is rarely used nowadays.In my practice, I strongly believe the armpit scar provides the best possible scar and the safest surgery. We perform the sugery with endoscopic visualization, which means we us a surgical telescope to allow me see everything within the chest when we are performing the surgery. This provides complete control over the procedure. This is a newer, more advanced method to perform this surgery and most surgeons do not offer endoscopic, transaxillary (armpit incision) breast augmentation.Some surgeons will say that the armpit scar does not allow them complete control over the operation and it is more traumatic with more recovery, but if the surgery is done properly and skillfully under endoscopic control, this is not the case.Larger sizes cannot be placed through an incision at the edge of the areola or within the areola, if the areola is small, which is the case in many of my patients. In this case either an armpit incision or an incision under the breast may be used.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 31, 2016
Answer: Breast augmentation incision options The choice of incision site should be discussed with your surgeon after the type and size of implant is selected, but definitely before you go to procedure. There are advantages and disadvantages to each site, but this choice may be limited by the implant chosen. The textured implants are most often placed through the inframammary approach because of the need to position and orient the implant properly. The axillary incision is used for submuscular pockets and usually for smooth implants. This scar is usually well hidden in the existing folds of the armpit, but can become a problem in rare cases. Asymmetry of implant position may be more common with the axillary approach. Best to speak with a surgeon experienced with all types of implants and incision sites for a proper comparison of your options.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 31, 2016
Answer: Breast augmentation incision options The choice of incision site should be discussed with your surgeon after the type and size of implant is selected, but definitely before you go to procedure. There are advantages and disadvantages to each site, but this choice may be limited by the implant chosen. The textured implants are most often placed through the inframammary approach because of the need to position and orient the implant properly. The axillary incision is used for submuscular pockets and usually for smooth implants. This scar is usually well hidden in the existing folds of the armpit, but can become a problem in rare cases. Asymmetry of implant position may be more common with the axillary approach. Best to speak with a surgeon experienced with all types of implants and incision sites for a proper comparison of your options.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful