| If you have been considering breast augmentation, you | | | | Results |
| probably already know that there are four different | | | | One of the main problems with endoscopic breast |
| incision options for placing the breast implants: around | | | | surgery is that it can be very hard for doctors to |
| the areola (periareolar), under the breast | | | | achieve symmetrical pockets for the breast implants. |
| (inframammary), in the armpit (transaxillary), and in the | | | | Endoscopic breast augmentation surgeries tend more |
| navel (TUBA). Two of these options (periareolar and | | | | often to have asymmetric results, with one breast |
| inframammary) are traditional surgical methods, and | | | | sitting visibly higher than the other. If you are |
| two of them are endoscopic surgeries (transaxillary | | | | considering endoscopic breast augmentation, make |
| and TUBA), which involve incisions far from the breast. | | | | sure you look at all a doctor's before and after picks, |
| Doctors who perform endoscopic surgeries promote | | | | not just the few cherry-picked ones online or in a small |
| them as being both more discreet and less invasive, | | | | book, to get a better idea of how likely you are to see |
| but are they good options? | | | | results that are off-kilter. |
| How Endoscopic Surgery Works | | | | Revision |
| Endoscopic surgery works using a tool known as an | | | | It is very rare that revision surgery for endoscopic |
| endoscope, a long, narrow tube that allows tiny surgical | | | | breast augmentation can be done endoscopically. |
| instruments to be inserted at a point very far from the | | | | Normally, it requires an inframmamary incision be used, |
| actual site of surgery. The doctor can look at the | | | | although sometimes a periareolar incision may work as |
| surgery via a video camera on the endoscope, and he | | | | well. Since about one-third of women need a revision |
| can manipulate the instruments remotely. It allows for | | | | surgery in the first three years after getting breast |
| very small incisions and can allow for very precise | | | | augmentation, you may end up with an inframammary |
| work without damaging or moving nearby tissue. In | | | | incision even if you elect endoscopic surgery the first |
| order to insert the breast implant via the navel or the | | | | time. |
| armpit, the implant must be deflated and rolled tight. | | | | Discreet? |
| This allows the implant to be moved from the incision | | | | The main argument for endoscopic breast surgery is |
| site to the breast via tiny tracks created under the skin. | | | | that it is "secret." Endoscopic breast augmentation puts |
| Endoscopic surgery does allow for very small incisions | | | | the incisions far from the breasts, which hopefully |
| that can be far from the breast. In some cases, it also | | | | prevents people from learning that you have had |
| allows for very quick recovery, and it does allow for | | | | breast implants. This can work very well if the incision |
| placement of the implants both under the breast | | | | heals well, but if the incision heals badly, if it remains a |
| (subglandular placement) and under the muscle | | | | visible scar or, worse, becomes a highly visible keloid, it |
| (submuscular placement). | | | | can be awkward. A woman with a keloid scar in the |
| Options | | | | underarm area will be self-conscious in any kind of |
| Because breast implants must be deflated when | | | | sleeveless outfit, including a swimsuit. And a keloid in |
| placed via endoscopic surgery, and silicone breast | | | | the navel makes midriff-baring outfits uncomfortable |
| implants come pre-filled from the manufacturer, | | | | and essentially rules out any bikini. Since feeling less |
| endoscopic breast surgery cannot be performed for | | | | self-conscious in clothes, especially swimsuits, is the |
| silicone breast implants. If you want silicone breast | | | | main reason why women want breast augmentation |
| implants, you cannot get endoscopic breast surgery. | | | | surgery, this is potentially a very serious down side. |