Transaxillary Breast Augmentation

TRANSAXILLARY BREAST AUGMENTATION SEATTLE AND TACOMA

The main goal of a breast augmentation procedure is to increase breast size. There are many methods plastic surgeons use to achieve the optimal placement of breast implants. Plastic surgeons can place incisions through the fold of the breast, areola, armpit, and even belly button. Placing breast implants through the breast crease is still the most common breast augmentation incision. However, transaxillary breast augmentation has grown in popularity in recent years. Dr. Craig Jonov at Seattle Plastic Surgery performs the best transaxillary breast augmentation in Seattle and Tacoma.

BREAST AUGMENTATION TECHNIQUES: TRANSAXILLARY BREAST AUGMENTATION

The transaxillary breast augmentation approach places and positions breast implants through an incision in the armpit. While technically more difficult for a plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonov is an accomplished surgeon, adept at all methods of breast augmentation. He can perform the transaxillary technique with skill and precision. 

This incision location offers many advantages for patients. Firstly, transaxillary breast augmentation leaves no scars on the breasts. This reduces the chances of damage to the nipple or milk ducts. The scar may still be visible if you raise your arms, but transaxillary scars are usually hidden in the crease of the armpit and typically heal fairly well.

Secondly, the transaxillary incision grants Dr. Jonov direct access to behind the chest muscles. When breast implants are placed in the submuscular position, the transaxillary incision allows Dr. Jonov to place them without cutting the muscle. This depends on each patient’s anatomy and what is needed to position the breast implants. Oftentimes no excision of the pectoral muscles is necessary.

Finally, due to this ease of accessing behind the muscle, many patients find the recovery shorter and easier. Most patients return to their jobs in a week or so and their full daily lives in about two weeks. Some patients may even experience less pain and fewer side effects due to the less invasive surgical methods.

Other Breast Augmentation Incisions

As previously mentioned, there are many other incision options for breast augmentation in Seattle. The other breast augmentation techniques include:

• Inframammary Breast Augmentation: The most favored breast augmentation incision location among patients and plastic surgeons. Places the incision in the breast crease and offers the surgeon the most control when placing the breast implant. This incision can also accommodate breast implants of all sizes.
• Periareolar Breast Augmentation: This incision is located where the areola (the darkened skin surrounding the nipple) meets the skin of the breast. The change in coloration at this location often conceals scarring well. Another popular incision that allows for easy placement of breast implants. Many patients choose other methods due to the risk of loss of nipple sensation with this technique.
• Transumbilical Breast Augmentation: Known as TUBA, this technique is not routinely performed by most plastic surgeons. In this technique, an incision is made in or near the belly button, and the breast implant transferred into the breast. Due to this tunneling method, only saline breast implants can currently be used. This method continues to be refined and has shown possible advantages in decreasing infection rates.

Types Of Breast Implants:

Breast implants come in many shapes, sizes, and profiles. The major difference between breast implants is what they are filled with. First off, both types of breast implant contain a silicone shell. Silicone breast implants are filled with varying types of silicone gel. Saline breast implants come unfilled and are filled during surgery with sterile saline solution. 

Variations on both types of breast implant exist. At Seattle Plastic Surgery, we offer the newest silicone breast implant known as a gummy bear breast implant. Gummy bear implants, like traditional silicone implants, are filled with silicone gel. The silicone gel in gummy bear implants, however, is cohesive and sticks to itself. This makes it more likely to hold it’s shape in the rare event of a rupture.

Choosing the right breast implants for your transaxillary breast augmentation in Seattle can be difficult or overwhelming. It is a common misconception that transaxillary breast augmentation cannot accommodate silicone implants. This is not true. Transaxillary patients, they can still browse the full selection of breast implants they are candidates for.

Advantages of saline breast implants can include:

• Utilize a smaller incision
• Size adjustable without a full breast revision
• Rupture, if it occurs, usually detectable immediately
• May provide benefits to women with significant amount of breast tissue
• Slightly firmer feel which many patients prefer

Silicone breast implants are the most chosen breast implant among women receiving Seattle breast augmentations. Advantages of silicone breast implants include:

• Typically provides the most natural looking and feeling results
• Less likely to cause capsular contracture and rippling
• Offers more customization options, such as, a broader range of profiles and shapes

GOOD CANDIDATES FOR TRANSAXILLARY BREAST AUGMENTATION SEATTLE

Transaxillary breast augmentation is a widely used technique. However, not every patient is a good candidate for this method. Some patients may not like having scars in their armpits. Additionally, extremely large breast implants may not fit depending on your anatomy. This is best determined at a consultation. 

Otherwise, most women who are candidates for breast augmentation can choose the transaxillary method if possible. They may especially benefit from the transaxillary approach in certain situations. The transaxillary breast augmentation may benefit you if you have goals like:

• Keeping scars off the breast
• Want to minimize risk to the nipples or milk ducts
• May have reduced chance of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
• Possibly reduces the risk of capsular contracture and other complications

Otherwise, to be a good candidate for the best breast augmentation Seattle, patients should:

• Be in good general health
• Have well managed, or no major health conditions
• Be non-smokers, or willing to quit
• Have realistic expectations and goals
• Be able to benefit from breast implants

SEATTLE & TACOMA’S BEST BREAST AUGMENTATION AT SEATTLE PLASTIC SURGERY

Seattle Plastic Surgery is a leading plastic surgery practice in Seattle, Washington. Centrally located, Seattle Plastic Surgery has served the Greater Seattle and Vancouver area for two decades, providing some of the best plastic surgery in the country. Our talented plastic surgeons performed procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, and gender affirming surgery like FTM chest reconstruction.

Dr. Craig Jonov is a renowned plastic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience in breast augmentation and other surgery. Always striving to innovate, Dr. Jonov uses advanced techniques and cutting edge technology to provide the best plastic surgery in Seattle. He performs hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries every year. 

To schedule a consultation at Seattle Plastic Surgery, call us at 206-324-1120. You can also reach us online through chat, text, the contact form on this page, or our Price Simulator™ app.

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