If a woman chooses to have breast implants, she has many options.
She can select the size and shape of the implant, the fill and texture.
Not only do women today have choices regarding breast implant materials, but they can also chose from a variety of options when it comes to the incisions used to place their breast implants.
Four key surgical insertion strategies are currently being utilized: Periareolar This incision type (under the nipple) is the least visible of all incisions, but is associated with higher instances of the patient being unable to successfully breast feed when compared with other incision types.
Doctors typically favor placing breast implants through an incision create at the areola's lower edge, in most cases.
Since the implant is often placed empty and inflated after it is placed, the incision can be very small.
The darker color of the areola skin generally does a good job of concealing the scar.
Inframammary This incision under the breast fold is generally more visible than the periareolar incision site, but it's normally concealed under the breast.
It is associated with less nipple and breastfeeding problems than the periareolar incision site.
Incising the skin in the fold under the breast generally works well, but when the patient is lying down and is wearing bikini or halter, the scar can become more apparent since the surrounding skin can more readily highlight it.
Transaxillary This incision (under the arm) is less apparent than the periareolar but is again associated with fewer difficulties than the periareolar incision when the patient breast feeds.
Armpit placement leaves very small scars that are visible when the arms are raised.
Many women find these small scars acceptable, but another concern is that this procedure seems to have an associated higher probability of permanent loss of sensation in the nipples.
Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) is performed endoscopically in that the breast implants are placed through the umbilicus, or belly button.
This process completely eliminates the need for any apparent surgical incisions so that scars are not visible anywhere on the body.
TUBA shortens the recovery period in most patients when compared to the other incision options.
Patients are reporting less pain during the healing process, a reduced amount of wound care and an ability to resume normal activities more rapidly.