Scarless Breast Augmentation in NYC
No-Breast-Scar Breast Augmentation for the Modern, Sophisticated Woman
Many women want larger, fuller breasts. But they may not want visible scars on their breasts from having implants inserted. Dr. Rapaport offers an innovative endoscopic breast augmentation procedure so that patients can enhance their breasts without scarring. Board-certified plastic surgeon David P. Rapaport, MD, has more experience in the endoscopic underarm technique of breast augmentation (breast implants) than any other plastic surgeon in the New York area.
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Learn More About Scarless Breast Augmentation
Women seeking breast enhancement without visible scarring may be good candidates for Dr. Rapaport’s scarless breast augmentation. Breast augmentation can benefit women who have naturally small breasts or those who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, age, or weight loss.
Those who also have sagging breasts may also need a breast lift performed simultaneously. During a detailed consultation, Dr. Rapaport will help you determine the best option for your needs.
Dr. Rapaport has been performing underarm, endoscopic breast augmentation for over 27 years and is a pioneer in endoscopic breast surgery. Combined with Dr. Rapaport’s experience, this technique has drawn patients locally, nationally, and internationally to New York City to seek out Dr. Rapaport for breast augmentation without breast scars.
With transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation, discreet incisions are hidden neatly in the underarm, creating a result that appears organic and non-surgical. By utilizing a narrow tubular camera, the endoscopic approach allows for great accuracy in terms of implant placement, helping to reduce the risk of complications.
As one of the top plastic surgeons in NYC, Dr. Rapaport has pioneered and mastered this technique and is eager to provide his clients with the most advanced, groundbreaking technology available. He continuously strives to stay ahead of the curve, preserving every patient’s long-term health and safety in the process.
Like any breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Rapaport’s scarless, endoscopic approach is tailored to each patient’s needs. He will create a personalized treatment plan with you before the surgery that details the implants to be used, the incision placement, and whether the implants will be below or above the pectoral muscle.
Dr. Rapaport generally recommends positioning the implants under the pectoralis muscle. The muscle covering the top part of the implant results in a more natural-appearing breast with less likelihood of a visible implant edge or visible rippling.
Breast augmentation procedures are typically performed with general anesthesia or IV sedation, also called twilight anesthesia. Dr. Rapaport’s board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the chosen anesthesia and monitor the patient throughout the procedure. Once the sedation or anesthesia is administered, Dr. Rapaport will make small incisions in each underarm. He will use an endoscope to insert the breast implants through these incisions and place them carefully under the chest muscles. The implants are then filled, and the incisions are closed.
Breast Implants
Breast implants come in various shapes, sizes, and textures. Some women want round implants for optimal fullness and cleavage; others prefer the more natural appearance of teardrop implants.
There are two main types of breast implants: saline and silicone. Scarless breast augmentation uses saline implants since these can be filled after they’ve been inserted, making it possible to use a small incision under the arm instead of incisions on the breasts. Dr. Rapaport also offers silicone implants for those less concerned with scarring. Both saline and silicone implants have their own unique advantages.
Patients who have non-physical jobs, such as at a desk, can commonly return to work about five days following surgery. We will prescribe pain medication for the first two to three days to manage discomfort, and patients must keep their activities at a low level for that period.
All patients must have an adult spend the first night with them after breast augmentation for their safety. Most patients do not require prescription pain medicine after the third day and will be fine with just Tylenol. Many patients find ice packs helpful to reduce discomfort during the first postoperative night, avoiding any direct application of ice to the skin.
Despite being allowed to return to work after five days, patients are strictly prohibited from engaging in aerobic activity, including sexual activity, for ten days. Mild aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, is generally permitted after about ten days, and full aerobic activity after three weeks. Similarly, Dr. Rapaport does not advise any leisure travel for vacation less than three weeks after surgery.
Many women feel more confident and feminine, alleviating the frustration of deflated or asymmetrical breasts. Breast augmentation without scars on the breasts allows patients to enjoy the results without anxiety about scarring.
The results of breast augmentation are typically permanent. Most breast implants last a decade or more. Patients can have the implants removed later if desired, and occasionally, capsular contracture may occur and require implant removal. This risk is minimal, however, and most women enjoy their breast enhancement results for a lifetime.
Take the Next Step
Every patient’s transformation journey at Rapaport Plastic Surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Rapaport. To learn more about scarless breast augmentation and determine if it’s the right choice for you, fill out the form below or call us at (212) 249-9955 to schedule an appointment. Our team is dedicated to providing the best plastic surgery NYC has to offer.
Ready to book a consultation or treatment? Just click the Book Now button below to schedule online.
Scarless Breast Augmentation FAQs
Yes. Breast implants can be placed without leaving a scar on the breast itself, but every surgical approach requires an incision somewhere. With transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation, the incisions are placed in the natural underarm creases rather than beneath the breasts or around the areolas.
This approach is commonly described as scarless breast augmentation because it keeps surgical scars off the breasts. Once healed, the underarm scars are often discreet when the arms rest naturally at the sides. A small line may still be visible when the arms are raised, depending on incision placement and how the skin heals.
Scar appearance can be affected by:
- Skin tone and pigmentation
- Genetics
- A history of raised or thick scars
- Sun exposure
- Incision care
- Prior underarm surgery
- Individual healing patterns
Not every patient is a candidate for breast augmentation without breast scars. Patients with significant sagging may need breast lift surgery, which requires incisions on the breasts. Anatomy, tissue coverage, implant choice, previous surgery, and aesthetic goals can also affect which incision approach is appropriate.
The goal of the transaxillary technique is not to promise that surgery leaves no trace. It is to keep visible scars off the breasts while creating the implant pocket and positioning the implants safely and accurately.
Scarless breast augmentation is an endoscopic breast augmentation technique that places the surgical incisions in the underarm creases rather than on the breasts. It is also known as transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation.
During the procedure, Dr. David Rapaport makes a small incision in each underarm crease. He inserts a narrow camera called an endoscope, which provides a magnified view of the tissues as he creates the implant pocket.
Endoscopic visualization allows the surgeon to see the internal anatomy while preparing the pocket, controlling bleeding, and positioning the implant. The implant is then passed through the underarm incision and placed according to the surgical plan.
Dr. Rapaport is a board-certified NYC plastic surgeon who has performed underarm endoscopic breast augmentation for more than 27 years. Each procedure is planned according to the patient’s anatomy, breast tissue, preferred implant, proportions, and desired degree of fullness.
Saline implants are commonly associated with the smallest-incision version of this procedure. They can be inserted before they are filled, allowing them to pass through a relatively short underarm incision. Implant selection and incision requirements are discussed during the consultation.
A good candidate is generally a healthy patient who wants increased breast volume while avoiding surgical scars on the breasts. The technique may be appropriate for patients with naturally small breasts, breast asymmetry, or volume loss related to pregnancy, aging, or weight changes.
Candidacy depends on more than a preference for hidden scars. Dr. Rapaport will evaluate:
- Breast size and shape
- Skin elasticity
- Existing breast tissue
- Nipple position
- Breast symmetry
- Chest width
- Degree of sagging
- Implant preference
- Previous breast surgery
- General health
- Expectations for the result
Breast implants can add volume, but they do not always correct significant sagging. Patients with noticeable tissue descent or low nipple position may need a breast lift with or without implants. Because a lift removes and reshapes skin, it creates a different scar pattern.
Patients with adequate tissue coverage may have more flexibility when choosing between saline and silicone implants. Thin patients with less natural breast tissue may need to consider how implant type and placement could affect visible edges, rippling, and feel.
Scarless breast augmentation is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. A consultation is needed to determine whether the underarm approach can produce the desired result without compromising implant selection, positioning, or safety.
The primary difference is incision location: scarless breast augmentation uses an underarm incision, while other breast augmentation techniques may place incisions beneath the breasts or around the areolas. The underarm technique also uses an endoscope to help the surgeon create and inspect the implant pocket.
Other breast augmentation incision options may include:
- An incision in the breast fold
- An incision around the edge of the areola
- An incision in the underarm crease
Each approach has benefits and tradeoffs. An incision beneath the breast can provide direct access to the implant pocket but leaves a scar in the breast fold. An areolar incision places the scar near the pigmented border of the nipple but passes through breast tissue. A transaxillary incision keeps the scar away from the breasts but requires specialized endoscopic experience.
Scarless augmentation may be particularly appealing to patients concerned about visible breast scars. Other patients may place a higher priority on a particular implant type, size, shape, or surgical correction.
The best approach is not determined by the scar location alone. During planning for breast augmentation in NYC, Dr. Rapaport considers anatomy, implant selection, tissue coverage, placement, safety, and the patient’s aesthetic priorities.
The incisions are placed within the natural creases of the underarms, keeping surgical scars off the breasts. Dr. Rapaport uses these small openings to create the implant pockets and place the implants with endoscopic guidance.
The underarm crease helps conceal the healed scar during most normal positions and activities. When the arms are relaxed at the sides, the incision area is generally less visible than a scar placed on the front or underside of the breast.
A small healed line may be visible when the arms are raised. How noticeable it becomes depends on factors such as:
- Skin tone
- Scar pigmentation
- Genetics
- Incision length
- Scar thickness
- Sun exposure
- Postoperative care
- Previous underarm procedures
Every surgical incision creates a scar. In this context, “scarless” means no incision or scar is placed on the breast itself.
Patients with a history of keloids, hypertrophic scars, or noticeable pigmentation changes should discuss those concerns during consultation. Dr. Rapaport can explain how the underarm scar is expected to mature and whether the transaxillary approach suits the patient’s anatomy and healing history.
Patients with nonphysical jobs can often return to work in approximately five days, although recovery varies according to the surgical plan and individual healing. The first several days generally involve the most soreness, tightness, swelling, and activity limitations.
Patients need a responsible adult to stay with them during the first night after surgery. Activities should remain limited during the early recovery period, and all medications should be taken only as directed.
General recovery guidelines may include:
- Returning to desk-based work after approximately five days
- Avoiding aerobic activity for around 10 days
- Resuming light aerobic movement when cleared
- Delaying full aerobic exercise for approximately three weeks
- Avoiding leisure travel for approximately three weeks
These are general practice guidelines rather than personal medical instructions. Recovery can be affected by implant placement, implant size, anesthesia, previous surgery, physical job requirements, and individual healing.
Patients should follow the instructions provided by Rapaport Plastic Surgery rather than using a general online timeline to make decisions about work, exercise, lifting, travel, or sexual activity.
Swelling and implant position continue to change after patients return to normal daily activities. The breasts may initially appear high, tight, or uneven before the tissues relax and the implants settle.
Saline implants are commonly used for the smallest-incision form of scarless breast augmentation because they can be inserted before being filled. This allows the unfilled implant to pass through a relatively short incision hidden in the underarm crease.
Saline breast implants contain sterile salt water within a silicone outer shell. The implant can be positioned first and then filled to the planned volume.
Silicone breast implants are prefilled. Depending on the implant’s size, shape, and design, they may require a larger incision or a different surgical approach. Dr. Rapaport will explain whether an underarm approach is appropriate for the implant being considered.
Implant selection involves more than choosing saline or silicone. Planning may also include:
- Implant size
- Implant width and profile
- Existing tissue coverage
- Desired upper-breast fullness
- Breast asymmetry
- Chest dimensions
- Risk of visible rippling
- Incision preference
- Lifestyle and activity level
Implant placement is another important decision. Implants may be positioned above, partially beneath, or beneath the pectoral muscle, depending on anatomy and the technique selected. Muscle coverage can soften the upper implant edge and reduce visible rippling in some patients, but no placement is best for everyone.
The final recommendation should balance scar preference with tissue coverage, implant feel, proportions, long-term considerations, and the desired result.
During the consultation, Dr. Rapaport evaluates your breast anatomy, discusses your goals, and determines whether an underarm endoscopic approach is appropriate. The purpose is to develop a surgical plan rather than simply select an implant size.
The evaluation may include:
- Breast and chest measurements
- Existing breast volume
- Skin elasticity
- Nipple and areola position
- Breast symmetry
- Degree of sagging
- Tissue thickness and implant coverage
- Previous breast surgery
- Medical history
- History of abnormal scarring
You will discuss the amount of volume and fullness you want, whether you prefer saline or silicone implants, and how important it is to avoid scars on the breasts. Dr. Rapaport can also explain the tradeoffs among implant type, incision location, implant placement, feel, rippling, and recovery.
If there is significant sagging, he may explain why augmentation alone is unlikely to provide the desired shape and whether a breast lift should be considered.
The consultation also covers:
- Anesthesia
- Surgical location
- Preparation
- Expected downtime
- Activity restrictions
- Potential risks
- Underarm scar appearance
- Long-term implant considerations
Reviewing breast augmentation before-and-after photos can help you understand the range of possible results, but another patient’s outcome cannot predict your own.
Patients traveling to Manhattan can review the practice’s resources for out-of-town breast augmentation patients for information about virtual consultations, photographs, travel planning, and the required stay in New York.
To begin, call 212-249-9955 or schedule a scarless breast augmentation consultation in NYC. Rapaport Plastic Surgery is located at 905 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1W, New York, NY 10021.
