Inserting breast implants through the belly button sounds like a cool concept, right? You get a tiny scar in the belly button and no scars on your breasts.
This has been an effective marketing gimmick for many plastic and cosmetic surgeons for over a decade. So what are the problems with the Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) operation?
- It doesn’t allow for precise release of the pectoralis muscle when making the implant pocket. This results in a much higher chance that your implant will sit too high or too lateral (outward) in your breast.
- Your saline implants are no longer covered by the company warranty.
- Although rare, you can develop visible scar tissue on the abdomen.
- It has a potentially higher rate of complications like bleeding and capsular contracture.
- You have a higher risk of unevenness and asymmetry of the implants.
I have trained in the technique while in Beverly Hills, but do not recommend it. The TUBA procedure doesn’t give the surgeon enough precise, meticulous control over the operation.
For these reasons, Transumbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) is on my Holistic Beauty Blacklist.
Note: This is based solely on the opinions of Dr. Youn, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all doctors or the standard of care in your area. Before you undergo any invasive cosmetic treatment, make sure you consult with a real board-certified plastic surgeon.
