Natural Looking Breast Implants with Transaxillary Incision?

Dear Thea,Thanks for your question.  We almost exclusively use a transaxillary incision for our breast augmentations.  I feel an endoscopic technique is absolutely essential.  The endoscope is a surgical telescope that allows a surgeon to see exactly what he is doing.  This, with endoscopic surgical instruments allows for the surgery to be done precisely, accurately and without bleeding.  If the surgery is not done in this manner, I feel the risk that implants are placed incorrectly is higher.  Some surgeons will use a non-endoscopic approach, using blunt dissection which is done blindly.  Bleeding is not controlled and I feel complications such as incomplete muscle release and asymmetry of the implants are more likely.It is completely possible to get a natural look with an armpit incision, which heals very well and in most cases is invisible.  Please look at our before and after gallery.  All cases were done in this manner.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

Trans-axillary breast augmentation is becoming an increasing popular method for breast augmentation astechnology continues to improve. There are several misconceptions about axillary breast augmentation.

First of all both saline and silicone implants can be used with this method. Many patients and surgeons that do not commonly perform this surgery don’t know that a silicone implant can be placed from anaxillary incision. The use of the Keller funnel allows a variety of implants to be placed through the axilla easily. Secondly, the incisions in the axilla is just as small as it would be if it was placed around the nipple or under the breast. The incision is well concealed in one of the natural arm creases in the axilla.



Thirdly the use of the endoscope has made the procedure very precise as the entire breast pocket is created under direct vision. This method has become very popular in Miami where I first practiced and now I commonly perform this procedure here in Austin Texas as it avoids putting any incisions on the breast, thus decreasing the chances of altering nipple sensation. Please consult your board certified plastic surgeon to help guide you through your breast augmentation process.

I have performed literally thousands of axillary (endoscopic ) breast augmentations through an armpit incision. The procedure is fantastic as long as the surgeon knows how to perform it right. For those who do not - they will see only problems. Results speak for themselves. Why would you have scars on your breast if you can avoid it?

A variety of
incision options are currently available for breast augmentation surgery.Each of these incisions offers advantages and
disadvantages. The transaxillary approach utilizes
an incision in the armpit.Incisions in
the armpit are well-hidden, but there is the potential for implant malposition
and superiorly positioned implants with this approach.For this reason, it’s important that
the procedure be performed by a plastic surgeon with experience with this technique.Under these circumstances, the results can be
excellent and the breasts can ultimately look very natural.

Natural results are achieved with the transaxillary approach using gummy bear silicone gel implants. The key is to make the pocket for the implant low so that the implants don't sit too high. A surgeon experienced with this approach knows how to make the pocket low enough to avoid this problem.