This is the most common breast implant procedure. As the name might suggest, an infra-mammary fold (or crease) incision is made directly below the breast.

Pro: Infra-mammary incisions give surgeons easy access for precise placement of the implants. They are also most commonly used for silicone implants, which require longer incisions. For women with larger breasts, scars from this type of incision will likely be hidden as the breasts will fold over them.

Con: There will be a short scar in the breast crease that may be more visible for women with smaller breasts (or when lying down).

In this breast implant procedure, an incision is made along the areola border.

Pro: Scars from this type of incision are usually the least noticeable, as they blend in where the darker skin of the areola meets the lighter skin on the breast.

Con: Inserting silicone implants can be difficult with this procedure because they require longer incisions. Some doctors also feel that there is higher risk of infection from bacteria in the milk ducts of the breast tissue, but this has yet to be proven.

This incisions is made in the armpit, and leaves no visible scarring on the breast. This method more consistently achieves implant symmetry and is best used for smooth implants placed under the muscle.

Pro: A less-visible scar

Con: Since the breast implants are filled after placement, only saline implants can be used with this method. Also, if any corrective surgery is ever needed, one of the other types of incisions will be necessary. In rare cases, transaxillary incisions may cause injury to the nerves of the arm and hand.

The least common breast implant procedures are transsumbilical incisions (TUBA) and transaddominoplasty (TABA). TUBA involves placing the implants through an incision made in the navel. As in the transaxillary method, only saline implants can be used with this procedure. Many surgeons have reported that precise placement is difficult with this method. The TABA procedure is similar to TUBA, but the patient also undergoes an abdominoplasty (commonly known as a "tummy tuck") during the operation.

Pro: You should have no visible scarring.

Con: Sometimes called blind surgery, transumbilical operations make correct placement difficult; pre-filled (silicone) implants are usually not used; and poor long-term results are more common. Sometimes scar tissue tracks are made from the navel to the breasts, creating an unsightly “V” on the abdomen.

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