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Incision Options for Breast Augmentation - Surgeon Minute

416 views · Published 11 May 2017 · 1:26 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: The Plastic Surgery Channel · 2017 · Education

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In the armpit, around the nipple, or under the breast? Plastic surgeon Mark D. Epstein, MD describes incision options for breast augmentation and which he prefers for the best results.

 for Breast Augmentation


After finally deciding to take the plunge and schedule a breast augmentation, the decision-making process truly begins. One of the most important of the decisions patients will make is to choose from the modern incision options. There are countless articles and forums explaining why which is better – or worse – than each other, which can be helpful for patients looking for more information. The only potential downside of access to information is the potential for discovering poor and misguided information.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Epstein of Stony Brook, NY helps break down some of the myths on breast implant incisions and walks through the four most common options.

FOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION INCISION OPTIONS 
There are a myriad of decisions that you will need to make when it comes to your breast augmentation. While breast implant type, size and shape often get the most press, the one that really seems to trip up a lot of patients is the incision. Generally there are common four options:

the trans-axillary approach where the incision is placed in the arm pit
the periareolar approach where the incision is placed around the areola
the inframammary approach where the incision is placed under the breast in the fold
the trans-umbilical approach where the incision is placed in the belly button
The problem for any surgical patient is the scar. While it is the trade off for an improved appearance, most patients are terrified of a visible, ugly scar, especially on the breasts. This can cause many breast augmentation patients to become enamored with the trans-axillary or trans-umbilical approach because they think that the scar will be hidden without really understanding the pros and cons.

The trans-umbilical approach only works with a saline implant. The surgeon makes a very small incision in the belly button through which he places a rolled up, deflated saline implant. The incision is too small for a silicone gel implant to pass through, which is one of the main drawbacks of this type of incision.

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