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Minimally Invasive Breast Augmentation

Minimal Scarring and Quicker Recovery
Make Endoscopic Breast Augmentation Appealing

Endoscopic Breast Augmentation

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When 27-year-old Ylan Carbajal decided to go ahead with breast augmentation surgery in the summer of 2004, it was not without extensive research. Carbajal, a surgical technician from Jacksonville, had thought about having her breast size enhanced for several years and was looking into a technique called endoscopic transaxillary breast augmentation. Through her job, she had the opportunity to assist with a few of the surgeries. She also spoke with a co-worker who'd had it done and was pleased with the outcome. With the knowledge she gathered, she made an appointment with a plastic surgeon at Mayo Clinic to talk it over.

"It was something I'd thought about doing for a long time," says Carbajal. "Seeing the surgery performed and talking to someone who had already had it done helped me feel comfortable with moving forward."

Endoscopic transaxillary breast augmentation has been available for more than 10 years, but it's still not offered everywhere because of the specialized equipment and training that's required. During the procedure, a surgeon creates a small incision in the armpit and uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera on the end) to guide the folded implant to its position under the breast. The implant is placed either under the breast tissue itself or under the chest muscle, depending on which placement looks more natural. Factors that determine placement are the woman's lifestyle, build and breast size before surgery. Once in place, the implant is inflated with a saline solution to the right size.

Dr. Sarvam TerKonda, a plastic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, says using an endoscope coupled with inflatable saline implants allows surgeons to better visualize what they are doing during the procedure. The result is a smaller incision and less bleeding.

"Basically, the scars are smaller and the procedure is more accurate," says TerKonda.

With traditional breast augmentation, surgeons place the scar underneath the breast or around the nipple.

Carbajal was surprised at how quickly she recovered.

"It was better than I expected," she says. "I thought it was going to be painful, but I felt very little pain, and I was fully recovered in three days."

This was also true for another Jacksonville woman, a 34-year-old patient of TerKonda's who had the surgery 18 months ago. She asked that her name not be used. Her decision to have breast enhancement was well thought out, she says. Research also led her to go with the minimally invasive, under-the-arm approach.

"Other than some tightness in the chest area, the pain was minimal," she says. "The scar is in the crease of my arm, so it's not noticeable. I'm definitely happy with the results."

TerKonda places a great emphasis on choosing the appropriate implant size for each patient. Each woman has a unique figure and specific goals for breast augmentation.

"The ideal result is surgery that creates a great figure and appears completely natural," says TerKonda. "Using the endoscope allows the surgeon to produce a natural result while hiding the scars."

He also emphasizes safety. All breast enhancement procedures are performed in the outpatient surgery center at Mayo Clinic — not a doctor's office — and all patients must undergo tests to ensure they are fit for surgery.

Like all Mayo Clinic physicians, surgeons on the plastic surgery team are salaried, not paid based on the number of procedures they do. As with all surgical procedures, a thorough consultation for endoscopic breast augmentation includes discussion of the risks and benefits.

Info:
Department of Plastic Surgery
(904) 953-6296

Medical evaluation

Physicians at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville believe it is very important to evaluate a patient's general health when she or he chooses to have elective or cosmetic surgery. If patients have any known medical conditions or allergies, they should tell their surgeon about them. The extent of the preoperative evaluation depends on the patient's age, the magnitude of the procedure and the type of anesthesia to be used. Following the evaluation, the surgeon reviews the results and discusses them with the patient. The visit may include a medical evaluation by another physician on the Mayo staff.

To request an appointment at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, call (904) 953-0853 or complete our online appointment request form: