YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION INCISION OPTIONS EXPLAINED

To get those breast implants in, we’ll need to make an incision. And incisions can mean scars. Many of our patients worry about visible incisions and scars after their breast surgeries. Don’t let incision worries keep you from the breasts of your dreams. Yes, you will need an incision, but with careful placement and a few camouflaging tricks, we’ll keep your incisions out of sight. Here’s what you need to know about breast augmentation incision options.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT- WHY NO ONE WILL SEE YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION INCISIONS

You dream of beautiful, sexy breasts, both in and out of clothing. A big, visible incision is one of the last things our patients want. To keep your incisions hidden, we use a few tricks of the trade, placing incisions in hard to spot areas and using natural contours to camouflage them. Scarring levels vary from patient to patient, but most women will have little to no visible scarring after breast augmentation. Hiding scars is one of Dr. Beale’s many surgical talents.

How do we use your body to hide breast augmentation scars? Come with us on a game of hide and seek and we’ll explain how careful placement can keep your incisions under wraps.

Under the Breast– The breast fold is the perfect hiding spot for breast augmentation incisions. Located under the breast, where the lower breast meets the rib cage, the inframammary incision provides the surgeon with good access to the breast. This incision can also be reopened if you ever need to remove, replace, or revise your implants. This incision is the most visible of our incision options after healing, but for most women, it does a good job of hiding incisions while providing practical convenience for implant placement. We always use this incision type for “gummy bear” implants.
Around the Areola– Placing an incision around the areola, the dark skin surrounding the breast’s nipple, truly hides the incision in plain sight. The transition from the dark skin hides the incision, often leaving it practically unnoticeable. It does take time for scars to fade and mature. This incision will be more visible for the first few months than other incision types, but once it fades, it is difficult to spot. This incision type does not cause a loss of nipple sensation, provided appropriately sized implants are used.
In the Armpit– With no incisions on or near the breasts, the transaxillary incision hides scars better than any other option. The incision is placed in the crease of the armpit and the implant is carefully moved into its position in the breast. This incision is difficult to work with, but Dr. Beale has performed many successful procedures using this technique. We recommend this incision type for women that cannot have visible scars.

WHICH INCISION OPTION IS BEST FOR ME?

Choosing a breast implant incision location can be a difficult decision, but we will guide and counsel you throughout the process. The choice is yours, unless your anatomy or chosen implant type/size limits your options. Some incision types work better in some situations. Let’s take a look at some basic recommendations for each incision type.

Inframammary Incision– Great incision option overall. Recommended for women that are fine with minimal scarring or that want to use “gummy bear” implants. This is one of our most popular incision placements.
Periareolar Incision- Ideal for small to medium breast implants. Implants that are too large for the incision can cause a loss of nipple sensation.
Transaxillary Incision– Ideal for women that need no visible scarring. Implant size may be limited using this option.

During your consultation, we’ll examine your body and discuss your goals for surgery. Once Dr. Beale understands your needs and desires, he can make recommendations regarding incision placement. Many women will have their pick of incision locations, but some women will need a specific incision type to achieve their breast augmentation goals.

SCARRING AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION- 3 WAYS TO REDUCE VISIBLE SCARRING AFTER PLASTIC SURGERY

Scarring is always a concern after plastic surgery, and some factors are out of our control. Your genetics play a big role in determining how likely you are to scar after a procedure. Although we can’t control genetic factors, there are many ways you can reduce visible scarring after breast surgery.

Skip the Tan– Tanning and sun exposure are enemies of a fresh incision. Keep your incisions out of the sun and avoid tanning until the scars have fully matured. You’ll know when a scar is mature because it will no longer be pink. Mature scars are typically flat, smooth, and close in color to the skin, possibly slightly lighter or darker. Too much sun on a new incision can permanently darken the scar.
Follow Recovery Instructions– Dr. Beale will provide you with detailed recovery instructions at the time of your procedure. Follow these instructions closely to avoid complications which can increase the likelihood and severity of scars. Activity restrictions are especially important as too much activity too soon can reopen incisions and impede healing.
Watch Your Incisions– Keep an eye on your incisions during healing and get in touch if anything unexpected occurs. We’ll also check your incisions during each of your post-operative checks to assess healing.

YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION INCISION OPTIONS EXPLAINED