There are four ways in which the implant can be placed in the breast pocket when it comes to breast augmentation. An incision can be made in the crease in the underside of the breast, in the armpit, in the belly button, or around the areola. An areolar incision approach is a popular option for breast augmentation patients. But before a patient undergoes a particular surgery, it’s essential to understand the details of the procedure and the recovery process. In this blog post, I discuss the pros and cons of the areolar breast augmentation technique.
The Areolar Breast Augmentation Procedure
During an areolar breast augmentation, the surgeon makes an incision along the rim of the areola. The tissue is then lifted, and the surgeon creates a pocket into which the implant is placed. The incision is then closed, and the patient is released for recovery.
This approach is different from other breast augmentation techniques, in which incisions are made either in the armpit or along the bottom of the breast. In both of these techniques, the incision is generally larger and leaves a more noticeable scar. Although all breast augmentation incisions are designed to be easily concealed or in an area of the body that makes them difficult to notice, the areolar incision is considered one of the most discreet. The resulting scar is located where the areola’s dark skin meets with the lighter skin of the breast envelope, making it very difficult to notice.
The Pros and Cons of Periareolar Incision
The areolar technique is associated with a few advantages, including:
- Discreet scarring: As mentioned above, the scar from this approach is usually not noticeable to others.
- Breast lift: The areolar breast augmentation technique is ideal for patients who wish to have a breast lift and augmentation at the same time. By placing an incision around the areola, the surgeon can reposition the nipple, lift the breast, and place the implant at the same time.
The technique is also associated with a few disadvantages, including:
- Nerve damage: This type of incision is more likely to cause nerve damage to the nipple, sometimes resulting in loss of sensation. While the risk of nerve damage is small, it is still a risk women should consider before planning surgery.
- Silicone implant limitations: Because silicone implants are pre-filled, there are limitations to the size of silicone implants that can be placed. The areolar incision can’t accommodate huge silicone implants, so an alternative incision option will need to be used in these cases.
Areolar Breast Augmentation Recovery
Recovery from breast augmentation generally takes about six weeks, depending on the type of incision made and how extensive the surgery was. An areolar breast augmentation recovery period is the same as any other breast augmentation technique. Women hoping for a shorter recovery period should not look to this method for quicker healing time. However, because the incision is smaller and in an area of the breast less sensitive to motion, the areolar incision can make the recovery process more comfortable.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
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