Breast Augmentation - Periareolar Incision
Periaerealor Incision (also known as the Areola Incision)
The
periareolar incision is also a very popular incision used in
breast augmentation. Like the
inframammary incision, the
periareolar incision gives your plastic surgeon a high degree of control when placing the
breast implants. This incision can be used to place
silicone gel or
saline breast implants above or below the muscle. It can also be used to remove (explant) or replace
breast implants.
Your plastic surgeon will make the
periareolar incision in the skin just outside of your areola. Your areola is the darker area surrounding the nipple, not the nipple itself. The primary advantage of this method is that the scar tends to heal well. The disadvantage is that there is a higher risk of exposure to the natural bacteria that is found in the breast tissue. One other obvious disadvantage is that the scar is located directly on the breast. If a patient does not heal well it will be visible. However most women who have had
breast augmentation with
periareolar incision say their scars have healed well. Finally, although a
peri-areolar incision does not necessary cause any greater amount of risk of sensation loss than other incisions, women with smaller areolar areas may be subject to a greater loss of sensation if it is necessary for the incision to extend beyond the areola.
Note: "peri" often implies "around" the areola. Most often, the surgeon will only make an incision around the lower half, or less, of the areolar margin unless a lift is being performed.
Silicone gel implants require slightly larger incisions than do
saline implants.
Breast Augmentation Guide - Breast Implant Placement