Under the Breast Incision Technique Surgery (Inframammary)

Breast augmentation is exciting to plan, and even more exciting afterward.  Nature didn’t allow you to select your breast size, but now you can!  It’s fun to anticipate lingerie and swimsuits you’ll shop for after recovery.  Some details, although less fun to consider, improve your understanding of the surgery and result to expect. There are four possible incision locations to insert your implants:

• in the crease at the bottom of your breast (inframammary)
• along the edge of your  areola
• the armpit
• the belly button

Each has its own advantages, but the under the breast incision technique (inframammary) is the most common approach.

What is the inframammary incision technique?

The inframammary incision technique for breast augmentation is also called the crease incision because it is made at the crease on the underside of the breast. Saline and silicone breast implants can both be slid upward through the incision, which is typically around two inches long. Depending on the anatomy of the patient and the predetermined treatment plan, the implant is placed either directly under the glandular breast tissue or under the chest muscle. Saline implants can be inserted nearly empty through a 3.5 – 4.5 cm incision or partially filled and then filled to their final size after they’re positioned and centralized behind the nipple.

Gummy Bear implants, on the other hand, may require a slightly longer incision (up to 55 mm, or 5.5 cm) because gel implants come from the factory completely filled and do not fit into a smaller incision. Once the implant is placed and centered behind the nipple, the incision is sutured in layers and closed.

Advantages of inframammary surgical technique for breast augmentation

Each breast augmentation patient has her own reasons for choosing a particular surgical technique, depending on her anatomy, preferences, or surgeon recommendations. The inframammary incision is perhaps the most common surgical technique in part because of its versatility and in part because it offers numerous advantages to surgeons and patients alike. The advantages of the inframammary technique include:

• It’s the easiest incision location for positioning and controlling placement of the implant
• It applies less physical strain to the implant than other surgical techniques
• The natural crease of the breast hides the scar
• It has the lowest risk of infection than other incision placements
• It has the lowest risk of complications than other incision placements
• It does not affect nipple sensation
• It will not interfere with ability to breastfeed
• It eliminates need for two scars if implants need to be replaced or removed
• It’s appropriate for silicone and saline breast implants

Women with smaller breasts may not have a sufficiently prominent inframammary fold for this technique. It’s also important to note that the scar could ride up on the underside of the breast and become visible if further breast enlargement is pursued in the future. 

Come get a sneak peek of your new breasts at Feel Beautiful!

At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, you don’t have to wait until after your surgery to see how you’ll look with your gorgeous new breasts. We offer pre-surgical 3D photorealistic simulation of your results in advance of the procedure. In addition to trying implants of various sizes in the office, you can see your body with different size implants using the Axis Three surgical simulation platform. It’s all part of the fun of anticipation, and we can’t wait to revel in it with you.

We’re committed to providing our patients with a comfortable atmosphere, clear communication, and meticulous surgical precision in the hands of one of San Diego’s best plastic surgeons. For more information on breast augmentation at Feel Beautiful or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Laverson, give us a call at (858) 295-4001 today.