Considering Transumbilical Breast Augmentation?
Dallas surgeon Dr. Wallace offers many options.

One of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty involves surgical procedures to enhance the size of breasts. Breasts change appearance from age, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and other factors. Placing a breast implant inside a pocket created within the breast tissue, breast augmentation procedures typically take about one to two hours to perform and either general anesthesia or a local anesthetic along with intravenous sedation. There are two surgical methods, the first is endoscopic breast augmentation (also known as “trans-axillary”) and the second is transumbilical breast augmentation (also known as “TUBA”). When comparing the two methods, Dallas patients should consider the endoscopic method because of its precision, minimal scarring, and effectiveness.

An incision is made in the belly button during the process of transumbilical breast augmentation. Dallas patients can sometimes experience scarring from complications associated with the procedure. When considering transumbilical breast augmentation, Dallas patients should be aware of the dangers associated with this type of surgery. Scars created by this procedure often do not heal well and in addition, “tunnels” created by the surgeon traveling from the belly button area up to the breasts, also can create scarring. Patients may require additional incisions and revision surgery to address complications that arise from transumbilical breast augmentation. Dallas patients should consider the endoscopic method of enhancing the breasts, which is safer and more precise. Dr. Wallace advises his patients to choose the endoscopic procedure, rather than the transumbilical procedure.

  After Surgery Scarring from
Endoscopic Breast Augmentation         
          
Click here to view Before and After Photos of patients
who had Endoscopic Breast Augmentation

While the transumbilical method can use only saline implants, both saline and silicon implants can be used in endoscopic breast augmentation. Dallas surgeons who conduct the endoscopic method create tiny incisions in the arm pit area that are barely visible, with minimal scarring.

Doctors who are performing transumbilical surgery are unable to see clearly in the abdomen area when making the incision up to the breast area. The surgeon also lacks visual aids during surgery, which can result in further complications and associated risks. Due to this imprecision, most surgeons avoid and do not perform this method of breast augmentation. On the other hand, during the surgical method of endoscopic breast augmentation, Dallas surgeons have visual aid via an endoscope to enable the surgeon to search both above and below the muscle wall, with full control to reach the breast area in order to insert the implant. With such clear visual direction, the surgeon has less room for errors in endoscopic breast augmentation. Dallas surgeons make small incisions near the armpit, without leaving any scars on the breast, and using a tool called the retractor, opens the incision to access the underlying breast tissue. Unlike the transumbilical method, which is highly imprecise and can result in heavy scarring along the abdomen area, most surgeons prefer to conduct endoscopic breast augmentation.

Dallas surgeons separate the breast tissue to reach the appropriate area of the body, employing a cautery device and scalpel. Next, the surgeon creates a pocket in this area with an elevator tool in order to position the breast implant. The surgeon will place a saline or silicon implant into this area depending upon the patient’s medical history, body contours, and personal preference. Step by step, the surgeon can view every part of the surgery clearly during endoscopic breast augmentation.

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Wallace highly encourages his patients to consider the endoscopic breast augmentation method over the less favorable transumbilical breast augmentation method, for reasons stated above. Contact our office to schedule a consult with Dr. Wallace who can help you decide on the best and safest method to reach your cosmetic goals.