Surgical Breast Enlargement
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The incision is a surgical access route, not a cosmetic add-on. The right choice depends on your anatomy, the implant, your surgeon’s experience and what matters most to you.
Incision routes
Where the scar sits and what it means
| Route | Position | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Inframammary | In the fold beneath the breast | Direct access and widely used. The scar is usually hidden in the fold, though it can be visible when lying down or if the fold position changes. |
| Periareolar | Around the lower edge of the areola | Scars can blend well where skin colour changes. Some evidence links this route to more nipple-sensation changes, and larger implants can be harder to place through a small opening. |
| Transaxillary | In the armpit | No scar on the breast, but access to the pocket is more limited and a camera may be used. Placement can be harder to control and revision through the same route can be difficult. |
A cut through the navel (transumbilical) has been used with saline implants but is less common and offers less control. Ask about your surgeon’s experience with any technique.
How to compare the options
Ask your surgeon to explain what each route would mean for your implant size, your tissue and any future revision. A scar in a less visible place is not automatically the safer choice if it limits access or makes the pocket harder to control. Write down the trade-offs in your own words, and take the plan home before deciding.
Other factors in choosing
- Implant type, surface and size.
- Your skin quality and how you tend to scar.
- Whether you plan to breastfeed.
- Your surgeon’s training and usual practice.
- The possible need for future revision.
Scarring
Scars fade over many months but never disappear. People vary widely in how they scar. Follow aftercare advice, avoid sun exposure on healing scars, and report a scar that becomes raised, painful or keeps growing. Massage, silicone gel sheets and other scar treatments are sometimes advised, but evidence for them is limited. Ask before using anything on a healing wound.
Questions to ask
- Which incision do you recommend for me, and why?
- Where exactly will the scar be, and how long will it be?
- How would this affect revision later?
Key takeaway
Choose the incision on safety and suitability first, scar position second. See the breast augmentation guide.
Draft review and sources
Before publication: qualified clinician review and current Indian regulatory verification, where relevant, are required. Sources: ASPS: Breast Augmentation · StatPearls: Breast Augmentation.
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Related education
Safety and warning signs
Candidacy, risks and when to seek medical help.
External research and sources
Study findings, limitations and original publications.
Breast augmentation
The parent guide to planning and recovery.
Sensation changes
Why nerve symptoms can occur and when to seek advice.
Breast revision
How a previous incision can affect later surgery.