Can Silicone Breast Augmentation be Done Through The Armpit?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am seeking silicone breast augmentation. I am currently a 32A cup and looking to be a D cup. I am interested in a silicone implant with the transaxillary approach placed in the submuscular location. Are you very experienced in this approach? How many of these have you performed compared to other techniques?

A: When it comes to breast augmentation over the past twenty years,I have placed over 500 transaxillary breast implants. The use of silicone implants being placed through the armpit incision has been more recent with newer silicone implant styles and insertion techniques.

When using silicone breast implants, however, there is a limit as to the size of the implant that can be inserted through the transaxillary approach. Generally it becomes difficult to place implants greater than 400cc to 450cc due to the greater stiffness of today’s gummy bear breast implants. Their insertion is helped greatly by using the Funnel insertion device technique and also lowers the risk of injury to the implant shell as well. Whether that will take you to a D cup remains to be determined by an actual physical examination and assessment of your desired results using a Volume sizing system. Larger implants can be placed but this often leads to a longer transaxillary incision and resultant scar.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana