Transaxillary Breast Augmentation (Underarm Incision) in Seattle

Transaxillary breast augmentation is a surgical breast enlargement procedure in which the implant is placed through a small incision in the armpit. It uses a discrete incision in the natural crease of the underarm to place implants. This allows you to enhance your breast while keeping scars off the breast itself. Plastic surgeons like Dr. Javad Sajan use this breast augmentation procedure to avoid scars on the breast or cutting through breast tissue to place the implants.

This approach not only offers an appealing aesthetic outcome but also minimizes visible scarring, which can be an important consideration for patients. The transaxillary method carefully navigates muscle and tissue structures to place the implant securely, promoting a more comfortable recovery experience. It allows precise implant placement for individualized results.

Transaxillary breast augmentation is a technique where the surgeon places breast implants through a small incision hidden in the natural crease of the armpit. After making the cut, the surgeon uses an endoscope or other specialized visualization tools to clearly see the internal tissues. This allows them to carefully create a pocket either behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle without cutting directly on the breast. The implants are then inserted through the armpit, helping keep scars away from the breast area.

A plastic surgeon basically has four incision points through which implant breast can be placed for breast augmentation: transaxillary (underarm), inframammary, transumbilical, or periareolar. The choice of approach depends on the body type (including breast size and shape), the patient's aesthetic goals, cosmetic breast surgery plans, and whether the patient is planning to breastfeed children at some point in the future.

The transaxillary breast augmentation approach offers a number of benefits, including:

• No breast scar on or under the breast
• Transaxillary scarring is usually the least visible of augmentation scars
• No muscle is cut in order to access and place the implant
• No breast tissue is injured so there will be no impact on breastfeeding
• Reduced "bottoming out" effect (a downward shifting of the implant)
• Less risk of injury to the nerves of skin or nipples, or breast ducts, which many patients seek in natural-feeling breast implants
• Less implant rippling or wrinkling, for smoother saline or silicone breast implants
• Reduced risk of capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue capsule that surrounds the implant)
• Less difficulty in reading mammograms (the implant is placed under the chest muscle, not directly behind breast tissue)
• A natural contour, even with a substantial increase in breast size
• Can be used as an adjunct to treating breast asymmetry (adjusting the shape, size, and volume of breasts of uneven size)
• Can be used in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction
• Recovery time may be somewhat reduced compared with other breast augmentation surgery approaches.

Accessing the pocket underneath the muscle via a transaxillary approach to place the implant is the most common way Dr. Sajan performs his Seattle breast augmentation. Determining whether this approach is a good option for you may be assessed during your breast augmentation consultation.

Underarm incision for breast augmentation offers several cosmetic and practical advantages. There is no scar on the breast because the incision is made within the natural crease of the armpit. This preserves the smooth appearance of the breast skin and nipple area. This transaxillary breast augmentation approach also works well for certain implant types and sizes. Specifically when implants are placed under the chest muscle. With careful planning and visualization, the surgeon can create a precise pocket and position the implant accurately. This helps in achieving a natural shape and good symmetry while keeping all visible signs of surgery away from the breast.

While the transaxillary breast augmentation technique offers clear cosmetic advantages, it is not the perfect choice for every patient. One limitation is that some revision breast augmentation procedures including capsular contracture correction, implant exchange to a very different size, or repositioning a displaced implant, may be difficult to perform through the underarm alone. In these cases, you may be recommended an additional inframammary or periareolar incision. This results in a new scar on or under the breast.

Additionally, transaxillary access is less ideal for very large implants, complex asymmetry corrections, or when extensive reshaping of the breast tissue is needed.Not all surgeons are equally experienced with this approach, so it’s important to choose a board‑certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Sajan, who frequently performs transaxillary breast augmentation and can honestly discuss its limitations.

Choosing the right incision location depends on an individual. It is chosen according to your anatomy, implant choice, aesthetic goals, and scar preferences. Here’s a detailed view:

Your surgical procedure will take place on an outpatient basis in our state-licensed surgery center. An overnight hospital stay is not typically required. The anesthesiologist will administer either a general (deep sleep) anesthesia or a combination of intravenous sedation and anesthesia. You will be carefully monitored through the entire surgery and recovery periods for your safety and comfort throughout your breast augmentation procedure.

Dr. Sajan will make a small incision (approximately one inch long) in the armpit and create a "tunnel" underneath the chest muscle/pectoralis major to access the space underneath the breast referred to as the "breast pocket". The breast implants are placed in the breast pocket, and the axillary incision is closed and bandaged. You may be asked to wear a compression garment for a period of time to facilitate healing after your transaxillary breast augmentation.

The results of your breast augmentation surgery will be immediately noticeable and will continue to refine during the weeks and months following surgery. Dr. Sajan will provide detailed instructions for you to follow during your recovery period, including how to care for the incisions, topical and oral medications, and follow-up appointments. Carefully follow all instructions, including those about bathing, using deodorants, and activity levels to optimize your recovery and results.

Transaxillary breast augmentation can refine and enhance your body shape for a more natural and balanced appearance with minimal scarring making it popular for patients seeking natural-looking breast augmentation. Contact Dr. Sajan's office for a consultation appointment and learn about your options for breast augmentation in Seattle. This can include saline and silicone breast implants or personalized cosmetic breast surgery plans.