Getting a breast augmentation in the Panama City-Pensacola area is an exciting process that can better your life in many ways. For some patients, choosing the location of their breast augmentation incisions is the most important decision they must make, while for others, it may be an afterthought.
However, all patients should take careful consideration in choosing their incision location. In this blog post, I’ll discuss the 3 different breast incision options with their pros and cons.
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Transaxillary Incision (No Scar on the Breast® Technique)
The transaxillary incision is made in the natural folds of the armpit. Your surgeon will make the incision and create a channel to the breast, forming a pocket behind the breast for the implant. Most surgeons use saline implants with this method because the shell can be inserted empty and filled once in place, which allows the incision to be kept quite small.
Many women prefer this incision because the breasts are left looking untouched, with the scar hidden in the armpit. It is also less likely to result in damage to the mammary glands—a benefit for women who want to have children in the future. This incision location can only be used once, so if you need a breast revision in the future, a new incision will need to be made. Sometimes surgeons also report that achieving breast symmetry with this technique is more challenging.
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Inframammary Fold (IMF)
The inframammary fold technique is one of the most common incisions used for breast enlargements with implants. It provides good exposure for creating an implant pocket with the least amount of bleeding. It also avoids the course of the nerve to the nipple most of the time, and it does not cut through breast tissue and milk ducts, so you can breastfeed after.
Another advantage is that the scar is discreet and is not visible unless you lift your breasts. However, sometimes, this incision is hard to revise later on, but otherwise it can be a great option.
Periareolar Incision
The periareolar incision is made at the outer edge of the areola. Your surgeon creates a pocket and slides the implant through the incision, making sure it is in place. The scar is usually camouflaged by the darker color of the border of the areola.
The incision location can be reused in the case of future surgeries on the breast. However, this kind of incision is more likely than the others to sever milk ducts and nerves in the nipple, which could lead to complications with breastfeeding. That being said, the risk of complications caused by the incision or resulting scar is low, and most women can still breastfeed after this incision.
Which Incision Is Best for Me?
During your consultation, your board-certified plastic surgeon will discuss the type of incision that best suits your body and goals. They may also discuss whether your breast augmentation goals can be enhanced with a breast lift—learn more about combining breast enhancement procedures in our related blog post.
You can also see how some of these incisions appear in real life by viewing our breast augmentation before-and-after photo gallery.
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Caring for Your Incisions
Taking proper care of your incisions is very important for your recovery and can help ensure an even better cosmetic outcome. Your scars will continue to mature, lighten, and fade, but here are some tips to care for your incisions:
- Do not expose your incisions to direct sunlight because it can cause hyperpigmentation, which will make the scars look worse.
- Do not wear an underwire bra because it could irritate the incisions if they are in the inframammary fold.
- Do not take a bath unless you can keep the incisions dry. Instead, take showers or sponge baths until your surgeon says otherwise.
- Pay attention to any signs of infection, including fever, vomiting, or hot, tender skin near the incisions. If you believe your incisions are infected, seek medical care right away.
Start Your Breast Augmentation Journey
If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation or want to talk about your surgical options with a board-certified plastic surgeon, please request a consultation or call our office at (805) 654-1194.
This post was originally published in February 2018 and has been updated for 2024.
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