Scarless Breast Augmentation Options

Erin Blakemore

It's time for breast augmentation - it's time to get noticed. But you'd rather have all eyes on your shapely new figure instead of unsightly scars. Traditional breast implant surgery relied on incisions at the nipple or crease of the breast, but women seeking breast implants without scarring today are in luck. Recent developments in scarless breast augmentation, including methods such as TUBA and TransAxillary, make it possible to get the firm, attractive shape you crave without visible scars. These options give you natural-looking breast augmentation without the embarrassment of obvious scars – any scarring is well away from the breast area, so your breast implants can be your little secret. And best of all, these options offer fast recovery and shorter operative time.

Interested in scarless options? It all boils down to personal preference. If you'd like a breast augmentation that includes breast implant insertion through the belly button, then the TUBA procedure (Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation) may be for you. With TUBA, a small incision is made on the inside of your navel. The cosmetic surgeon inserts an instrument that travels up to your breast tissue, using a tissue expander to create a pocket for an empty saline implant of the size you've discussed with your doctor. The cosmetic surgeon inserts the empty breast implant into the space and, as a final step, fills the implant with sterile saline. The TUBA procedure, which is performed on an outpatient basis, uses local or general anesthesia and is on the cutting edge of scarless incision techniques.

If you’d prefer a small scar underneath your arms, the TransAxillary breast augmentation option offers incision in the folds of the armpit and features a completely scarless breast. This method can limit the visibility of the edges of the implant, creating a more natural breast, as implants inserted via this method are often placed beneath the pectoral muscle. Scars in the armpit area are almost completely invisible on most patients, making this an attractive alternative to traditional nipple or crease insertions.

If you are considering an alternative method of implant insertion, make sure to research your plastic surgeon carefully. Each plastic surgeon has his own preference for insertion, so make sure yours is experienced in the procedure you’ve chosen. Dr. Broadway of the Broadway Center for Plastic Surgery in Denver, Colorado specializes in breast augmentation. Bear in mind that the further away the incision is from the breast area, the more challenging the procedure for your plastic surgeon. A drawback for TransAxillary and TUBA breast augmentation procedures is that if a rare complication does occur, the doctor will have to make an additional incision at the nipple or crease, since it is extremely difficult to “tweak” an implant from such a wide distance.

As with any surgery decision, make sure to discuss all options and risks with your surgeon. What works for one doctor might not be favored by another – but it’s to your benefit to ask about cutting-edge procedures which can completely eliminate the scarring associated with traditional breast augmentation.