Scar-free breast augmentation offers an option for patients who want to avoid scar tissue | Health

“Dr. Polo, I want to have a breast augmentation, but I don’t want scars on my chest. Possible?”

Nobody wants scars. We see them as imperfections. After cosmetic procedures, they reveal our secrets. Many patients have the misconception that plastic surgery can be done without scarring. I explain to them that there will be a scar where we make an incision in the skin. The key is to minimize the visibility of the scar. Much of my effort as a plastic surgeon is towards this goal. I do this by making the smallest incisions possible, placing them where they are least visible, using techniques that promote optimal healing, and guiding patients in post-surgical scar care.

For implant breast augmentation surgery, incisions are most often made on the lower lip of the areola or in the central part of the fold under the breast. These incisions are only 1-2 inches long. If executed carefully, they can be very difficult to detect.

However, some patients are not willing to accept small, barely noticeable scars on the chest. There may be alternative scar-free breast augmentation techniques for these individuals.

Any patient considering breast augmentation surgery should consider the transaxillary, endoscopic approach. With this technique, a small incision is made in the hair-bearing area of ​​the armpit. It heals so well that it is hard to find here, even if you look for it. With special endoscopic equipment, the implant pocket is dissected and the implant is placed through this incision. Saline and silicone implants can be placed or even replaced through this approach.

Not every surgeon offers this technique. It requires specialized equipment and skills, so finding a surgeon experienced in the procedure is important. Also, most, but not all, breast augmentation patients are good candidates for the endoscopic approach. Patients with moderate sagging or drooping breasts who require the maximum lifting effect of the implant without actually undergoing a lifting procedure with additional scarring may be better candidates for more traditional incisional approaches.

Another alternative scarless breast augmentation technique is autologous fat grafting or fat transfer. With this technique, fat is harvested from one or more areas of the body with unwanted accumulation and contour. These areas are sculpted into a more desirable shape. The harvested fat is processed, purified and injected into each breast to achieve a natural augmentation with the patient’s living tissues. The fat is usually injected with small cannulae through a few stab incisions distributed around the circumference of the breast. The scars that result at these sites are only a few millimeters in size and tend to heal with almost imperceptible scarring.

Autologous fat grafting is an excellent option for patients interested in a more modest boost. Results are limited by both the amount of fat available for harvest and the amount of breast tissue available to revascularize the transferred fat so that as much as possible remains viable. I tell patients not to expect more than a one cup size increase.

If you’re interested in a scar-free breast augmentation, consult with an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon to see what options are available.

Dr. Polo is a graduate of University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. He is a certified Plastic Surgeon and a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery. He has been in practice for over 20 years during which he has remained an active member of his medical staff Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital. Dr. Polo is dedicated to patient safety and Plastic Surgery education and has been recognized by his peers by being elected to leadership positions such as past president of the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons and president-elect of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons . Dr. Polo is a specialist in Cosmetic Surgery of the face, neck, breast and body. His greatest expertise is in breast augmentation and moms. His practice also includes the full range of non-invasive treatments such as Botox, fillers, CoolSculpting, ultrasound, lasers and radio frequencies.