Answers
"I recently saw breast augmentation done through the belly button. Is this procedure common, safer, with less pain, and recovery time shorter? Can the implants be done under the muscle this way or over? If needed, what about removal - would this be done any differently? I would prefer having my augmentation done this way due to less scar tissue, etc."
— Answered by
Edwin C. Pound, III , MD
Atlanta , GA
The Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) procedure is a technique for inserting saline-filled breast implants subglandularly or submuscularly via an incision in the navel. It is not necessarily better or worse than any other approach. It is simply a different approach. Very few doctors around the country offer this procedure and have significant experience with it. If considering this approach, this may be one consideration. I would recommend going with someone who has considerable experience as there are numerous non-plastic surgeons who offer the procedure but are not really qualified to perform it.
The recovery seems to be much easier although I really don't have an explanation for this and it varies from patient to patient. As for removal, this can also be done via the umbilical incision if necessary.
I tell my patients that, should there be a need for future surgery, or if there were any problems during the initial surgery that could not be addressed via the navel, then an incision on the breast may become necessary, although it has been rare in my practice. Another frequently asked question (although you did not ask it) is if the warranty applies to implants placed by the TUBA approach. The answer is yes, it does.
