MYTH: Transaxillary breast augmentation is more painful than traditional breast augmentation.
The transaxillary approach to breast augmentation is no more or less painful than any other method. Discomfort from submuscular breast augmentation is a result of creating the space for the breast implant.
MYTH: Transaxillary breast augmentation leaves the implants too far apart.
Transaxillary breast augmentation allows a plastic surgeon who is experienced with the technique to place the implants in the perfect position. Breast implants should be placed along the very inner aspect of the breasts. Breasts have a natural separation, and a properly performed breast augmentation will take this into account. The distance between a woman’s breasts should be a reflection of her anatomy and how widely or closely spaced her breasts were prior to surgery. When properly performed, the transaxillary approach to breast augmentation is as good as any other method for achieving this goal.
MYTH: With transaxillary breast augmentation, the implants sit too high.
Transaxillary breast augmentation allows breast implants to settle properly and does not commit them to being too high. The pictures in our breast augmentation gallery are all of women with breast implants that have been placed through the armpit, and these photos show how well they can be positioned. It’s common and expected for implants that are placed under the pectoralis muscle to temporarily appear high on the chest wall right after surgery. It is not a result of where the incision is placed. In experienced hands, the transaxillary approach does not lead to implants riding too high.
MYTH: Silicone breast implants cannot be placed through an armpit incision.
The vast majority of breast implants Dr. Shuster places are silicone gel implants. There has been a misconception that silicone gel implants cannot be placed through an incision in the armpit. In reality, Dr. Shuster routinely places silicone gel breast implants through the axillary route all the time.
MYTH: Transaxillary breast augmentation is more complicated than traditional breast augmentation.
Not in experienced hands. This is why a patient should consider a plastic surgeon experienced specifically in this approach. While many surgeons still place breast implants through an incision under the breast or around the nipple, Dr. Shuster’s expertise is in avoiding the scars and trauma of these techniques.
MYTH: Transaxillary breast augmentation leaves a noticeable scar.
One of the main advantages of the transaxillary approach to breast augmentation is that it leaves no visible scars on the breasts. The scar from a transaxillary breast augmentation is concealed within the armpit and is exceedingly inconspicuous. As with any scar, it takes time to fade, but the scar in the armpit is one of the least detectable of any plastic surgery procedure. The reason for this is that the incision can be as short as 1.5 inches in length. What is even more important is that the incision is placed within the natural skin creases so, when it heals, it blends into the natural appearance of the armpit. All of the images below show women who have had breast implants placed via the armpit and are typical of the results achieved.
