Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

The placement of breast implants is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Several different types of incisions may be used through which to place the breast implant. These include the inframammary (lower portion of the breast in the fold), areolar (lower portion of the dark pink area surrounding the nipple), and transaxillary (up in the armpit). They are certain advantages and disadvantages with each incisional approach and these will have been discussed with you in your initial consultation appointment. As a general rule, saline implants can be placed through any of the incisions, silicone gel implants must be placed through the nipple or inframammary fold.

After the incision is made, a pocket is created either under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle to receive the implant. Most commonly, implants are placed beneath the chest wall (pectoralis) muscle to better cover the top portion of the implant and decrease the potential risk of capsular contracture (hardness) after surgery.

Fluid-filled implants will be filled with a saline (saltwater) solution which is a normal constituent of your body's fluids and poses absolutely no adverse health risks. The implants will be inflated to the desired size after insertion and checked for symmetry between both breasts. Silicone gel implants are prefilled which is why the incision through which they are placed must be bigger. After the implants are in proper position in the breast pocket, the incisions will then be closed with dissolvable sutures. Average time of surgery is one hour.