Breast Implant Incisions

A common concern among women considering breast augmentation in Scottsdale is whether or not the procedure will leave visible scars. While there is no such thing as a “scarless” breast augmentation, how easily detectable your scars will be depend to a large degree on the location of the incisions your plastic surgeon makes to place breast implants. Common incision locations include:

  • Inframammary: a short incision hidden in the natural crease beneath the breast
  • Peri-areolar: a circular incision along the outer edge of the areola
  • Trans-axillary: a small incision in each armpit

Dr. Flint uses the inframammary incision almost exclusively for her breast augmentation patients. In her experience, an inframammary incision allows for a very predictable, natural and safe breast augmentation, as well as:

Details about the inframammary incision for breast augmentation

An inframammary incision involves a two inch, linear incision running along the natural fold underneath the breast. Through this incision, the plastic surgeon creates a pocket for the breast implant, inserts the implant, and adjusts it into the correct position. The incision is closed with dissolvable internal sutures that do not leave any external marks on the skin and do not need to be removed.

Surgical tapes are applied over the incision at the time of surgery to decrease the tension on the incision during healing. About two weeks after surgery, a topical incision care program is started including a botanical cream and silicone gel sheeting that is applied to the incision to assist in timely fading of the incision. With proper care, the incision heals into a very thin scar that is well-hidden beneath the breast.

At your consultation, Dr. Flint will explain to you the pros and cons of the different incision types, helping you understand where your incisions will be placed and how you can expect to look following your breast augmentation recovery.

Incision locations for a breast lift + augmentation

Patients who are having a breast lift with implants will require additional incisions. Depending on the extent of sagging to be corrected, Dr. Flint may use one of the following incision patterns:

  • Anchor Breast Lift: inframammary incision, a peri-areolar incision, and a vertical incision running from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold. This is used for the most extensive breast lifts.
  • Short-Scar Breast Lift: this breast lift avoids the incision in the inframammary fold in patients with less extensive sagging. Variations include the “donut” lift (incision around the circumference of the areola only) and the “lollipop” lift (one incision around the circumference of the areola and one incision running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold).

Breast implants are placed through these incisions as the natural breast tissue is lifted and reshaped. Dr. Flint will use the least extensive incision type possible while ensuring excellent shape improvement and adequate breast support to prevent “bottoming out” or visible scar stretching. Resulting scars will fade significantly with proper care, and these are easily hidden by a bra or swimsuit.

Learn more about breast augmentation in Scottsdale

There are many details to consider as you do your research about breast augmentation in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. We encourage you to take a few minutes to read through our additional resources about this popular procedure: