Liposuction and Plastic Surgery Information - Transumbilical Breast Augmentation

Transumbilical Breast Augmentation

Monday, 27 November 2006

With a 45 minute procedure time, shortened recovery time and no scarring around the breast, the Transumbilical Breast Augmentation is gaining popularity among women seeking breast implants without the risk of scarring that normally occurs.

Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) is an alternative technique that uses keyhole surgery techniques to avoid incisions around the breast area. The procedure is carried out under general or local anaesthetic and is normally performed on an outpatient basis. The surgeon makes a small incision in rim of the patient's belly button. A small tube (endoscope) containing a camera and tissue expander is then guided under the skin from the navel to the area behind the breast tissue. The tissue expander then creates a pocket of space.

Once the surgeon has verified the size and space of the pocket, a deflated saline breast implant is moved to the area, once using the same subdermal pathway from the navel to the breast. When the implant is correctly positioned, it is filled with a sterlie saline solution to inflate to the desired level. Once this is achieved, the implant is sealed, the tube and tissue expander are withdrawn, and the small incision is closed up with sutures.

The patient's chest and abdomen are then wrapped in gauze and bandages, but these can typically be removed within 1 to 2 days. The patient should wear a normal bra and should avoid wearing a push up bra for at least four weeks. In addition, patients should refrain from over exerting themselves during this period, to allow the implants to settle.

One of the potential complications arising from the TUBA technique is a firmness experienced in the abdomen around the area where the transumbilical channel was created. If this occurs, it normally disappears after some time, and can be assisted through gentle massage of the area.

If post-surgical complications do arise, any correction will need to be carried out using standard breast augmentation techniques, and an incision around the breast area will be required.

The procedure was developed by Houston, Tx based surgeon, Dr. Gerald W. Johnson, in 1991 but is now being offered by a number of cosmetic surgeons. The typical cost for Transumbilical Breast Augmentation is $4,600.

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