Breast Augmentation Surgical Technique: T.U.B.A. Incision

Many women who are interested in breast implants are leery of the scars from breast implant incisions appearing on their breasts. Because of this, surgeons have explored breast implants incision sites away from the breasts, including the T.U.B.A., or navel, breast augmentation incision.

T.U.B.A. (Navel) Breast Implant Incisions

In T.U.B.A. (trans-umbilical breast augmentation), an incision is made along the rim of the patient’s navel. An endoscope is then tunneled to the breast and a pocket for the implant is formed behind the breast. The breast implants are inserted through the incision and moved into the breast pockets. Once inside the pockets, the implants are filled with a pre-determined amount of sterile saline solution. When the desired look is achieved, the filling tube and endoscope are removed.

Advantages of Navel Incisions

One of the main advantages of navel breast implant incisions is the resulting scar is very small and virtually undetectable. Abdominal skin typically has more elasticity than the skin on other incision sites. This allows for a smaller surgical scar once the procedure is completed. Also, unlike breast implant incision sites on the breasts, the T.U.B.A. breast augmentation incision is located in the navel, leaving the breasts free from scars.

In addition, inserting breast implants through the navel requires only one incision (and scar) for both breasts. Other breast implants incision sites require separate incisions for each breast.

The T.U.B.A. technique allows breast implants to be placed above or below the pectoral muscles. The placement of breast implants is a matter of personal preference and should be discussed with a qualified breast augmentation surgeon.

Some surgeons have reported that trans-umbilical breast augmentation involves a shorter recovery period and less postoperative discomfort than other types of breast implant incisions.

The navel breast implant incision is also chosen because of the decreased risk of damage to the breasts' nerves since there are no incisions made on the breasts themselves. Women who are considering having children may opt for this breast augmentation incision because it leaves the milk ducts untouched, causing less possible barriers to future breast feeding than other breast implants incision sites.

Disadvantages of Navel Incisions

With the FDA approval of silicone breast implants, one of the greatest disadvantages of the T.U.B.A. breast augmentation incision is the fact that only saline breast implants can be used with the procedure. When using the navel breast augmentation incision, breast implants are placed in the breast empty and saline is then added. Because silicone implants are pre-filled, they are not able to be used with breast implants incision sites in the navel.

The distance between a navel breast augmentation incision and the breasts create a challenge for ensuring symmetry after the breast implants are placed.

Another disadvantage of navel breast implant incisions is the fact that it is difficult to correct a pre-existing breast deformity or a breast augmentation complication like capsular contracture using a navel breast augmentation incision.

Because a breast lift requires an incision on the breasts, using the T.U.B.A. method for breast lift with implants is not a wise decision. This would require two separate incision sites.

Although a rare complication, one of the disadvantages of the navel breast augmentation incision is that the endoscope can create tracks (permanent marks) from pushing up from beneath the abdominal skin.

Since it is a relatively new technique, there are a limited number of qualified breast surgeons with the experience and training needed to place breast implants through navel incision sites. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery with the T.U.B.A. technique, it is important to work with a cosmetic surgeon who is skilled in navel breast implant incisions.

Alternative Breast Implant Incision Sites

Since no one type of breast augmentation incision meets the needs of all patients, there are other breast implants incision sites available to patients. Similar to navel breast implant incisions, underarm (transaxillary) breast implants incision sites do not leave scars on the breasts after surgery. More traditional (and currently more popular) breast implants procedures include inframammary (crease) breast implant incisions and areola (nipple) breast implant incisions.

When deciding on the method that will suit your needs, it is important to discuss the pros and cons of each of the breast implants incision sites with your breast surgeon.

Contact a Cosmetic Surgeon in Your Area

The number of surgeons experienced in the navel breast augmentation incision is growing, but it is a relatively new procedure compared to those used for other breast implants incision sites. Because of this, it is important to work with a breast surgeon skilled in T.U.B.A. breast implant incisions. The physician directory offered through DocShop can help you locate cosmetic surgeons in your local area with experience in breast implants procedures.