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Consumer Guide to Breast Implant Incisions

Reviewed by Scott R. Miller, MD, FACS and by Michael Olding, MD, FACS

Implants are inserted behind the breast tissue or above the breast muscle, through carefully placed incisions. Since breast augmentation is performed for cosmetic reasons, you and your surgeon will select an incision location that will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Incision location is also based on individual anatomy, your desired outcome, and the size and shape of the breast implants.

Four main types of incisions are used during breast augmentation:

Inframammary Incision

The inframammary incision (crease or fold incision) is placed near the crease where the breast and chest come together.
Learn more about inframammary incisions.

Periareolar Incision

The periareolar incision (nipple incision) is placed along the outline of the areola, or the brown or pink pigmented region surrounding the nipple.
Learn more about periareolar incisions.

Learn more about breast augmentation

Transaxillary Incision

The transaxillary incision (transax or armpit incision) is placed in the natural folds of the skin of the armpit.
Learn more about transaxillary incisions.

TUBA Incision

The TUBA incision (belly button, navel, or transumbilical incision) is made within the navel.
Learn more about TUBA incisions.

After you have thoroughly researched breast augmentation on this website, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to decide which incision is best for you.

About the Reviewer of This Article

Michael Olding, MD, FACS, of Washington, D.C. is board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgery and the National Capital Society of Plastic Surgeons, where he was elected president. Dr. Olding specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and clinically related activities in cosmetic surgery, cosmetic facial surgery, breast augmentation and reduction, rhinoplasty, body contouring, liposuction and melanoma. He is also one of the area experts on soft-tissue fillers (Restylane, Sculptra and Botox). He received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Kentucky in 1980 and completed his internship at Cornell Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at McGill University in Montreal. Dr. Olding maintains hospital staff privileges at George Washington University Medical Center, Sibley Hospital and Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. More about Dr. Michael Olding

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[page updated June 2009]