Where Is the Breast Implant Incision Made?

As the field of plastic surgery develops every day, awareness of and demand for aesthetic operations are also increasing. Breast augmentation is among the most preferred operations. In this article we will focus on the question "where is the breast implant incision made?", since this is one of the most frequently asked topics. We hope you find it useful, and we wish you an enjoyable read.

There are many techniques and methods in breast augmentation surgery. There are generally three known techniques for placing the implants. These are as follows;

• Placement through the armpit

• Placement through the nipple

• Placement through the inframammary fold

Now let's address these topics one by one.

Placing Breast Implants Through the Armpit (Transaxillary Incision)

One of the methods used in breast augmentation surgery is the armpit (transaxillary) method. In this technique, an incision is made in the armpit and a channel is created. The implants are placed into the breast area through this channel. Looking back at past years, the armpit method was the most preferred method.

The biggest advantage of the armpit technique is that there is no incision on the breast itself. Since there is no incision, there is no scar on the breast either. Its disadvantage is that the channel opened from the armpit heals, but the tissue never becomes the same as it was before. When the chest muscles work, the implants can migrate upward through this channel or toward the armpit. Considering that these muscles are used in every area of daily life, this method is being eliminated. As a result, demand for the armpit placement method is beginning to decrease.

Placing Breast Implants Through the Nipple (Periareolar Incision)

Another method is placing the implants through the nipple. In this technique, an incision is made along the round border of the areola. The implants are placed beneath the breast through the incised tissue. The incised nipple area is then sutured back along the same line.

In breast augmentation surgery, implant placement through a nipple incision is not preferred very often. The reason is that an incision made at the nipple also leaves a scar behind. And since the nipple is incised, nipple sensation is lost after the operation. Aesthetically, these scars are quite undesirable. In addition, the milk glands may technically need to be cut in this method.

Breast Implant Incision in the Inframammary Fold

This technique, performed through the inframammary fold, is the most preferred method. An incision of 2–3 cm is made in the fold beneath the breast. Through this incision, a pocket is created under the breast and the implants are placed. At the end of the operation, the incision made in the inframammary fold is closed.

The advantages of the inframammary fold placement technique are that the breast tissue and milk ducts are not damaged, and nipple sensation is not lost. It is the method in which the surgeon can see the operating field most clearly, so the success rate is much higher. Since the incision scar is hidden in the fold line beneath the breast, no obvious scar is visible. It takes about a year for this scar to fade to a pearly color; after one year, only a faint line can be seen.

To understand the incision sites more easily, you can examine the image below;

Apart from all the techniques we have listed, there is another technique that is applied only rarely: placing the implants through the belly button (transumbilical). In this method, generally applied abroad, a cannula is advanced from the navel to beneath the breast. Fluid is delivered through the head of the cannula located at the navel into the cannula placed under the breast, and breast enlargement is achieved. Although it sounds appealing in terms of scarring since there is no incision, it is not a widely preferred method. Its success rate is low because the surgeon cannot see beneath the breast clearly and because of the complications that may occur while the cannula is advanced from the navel to beneath the breast.

Breast implants are compatible with human health and safe. You can visit our related article on this subject.