Breast Implant Incisions – Areolar Approach

Breast augmentation candidates have to make several key choices when it comes to their surgery. One of the most important decisions involves choosing the surgical approach used to place the breast implants. There are four basic breast augmentation incision approaches: areolar, transaxillary, inframammary, and transumbilical (TUBA). There are pros and cons for each of these approaches; in the end, incision placement is really a personal choice. The incision approach you end up with will depend on your anatomy, your goals, the recommendation of your surgeon, and the size, shape, and type of breast implants you choose. Consult a New Jersey plastic surgeon to learn more about breast implant surgery.

Areolar Approach

The areolar incision, or nipple incision, is one of the more popular choices among the four surgical options used to place implants. The actual incision is made around the areola, which is the dark skin surrounding the nipple. After making the incision, the surgeon creates a pocket for the implant and slides it through the incision. Because the incision is placed precisely where the darker skin of the areola meets lighter tissue, it helps the resulting scar blend in easily.

The primary advantage of using the areolar incision is that it allows the surgeon to work close to the breast, unlike the transaxillary and TUBA incisions. This results in more precise positioning of the implants.

The areolar approach does have a few drawbacks. If the incision does not heal properly, the scarring will be visible. All of the surgical approaches carry a risk of loss of sensation, but that risk is slightly elevated for patients who choose the areolar approach.

To discuss the risks and benefits of each breast implant placement technique, talk to a New Jersey breast implants surgeon. Contact Northeastern Plastic Surgery to schedule a surgical consultation.