TUBA Breast Augmentation

TUBA Breast augmentation is a common acronym for Transumbilical Breast Augmentation surgery. TUBA Breast Augmentation surgery has become one of the preferred methods of breast augmentation surgery with many surgeons simply because it is an alternative that provides for very little scar tissue and what scar tissue does exist, is hidden.

What is TUBA Breast Augmentation Surgery

The procedure commonly referred to as TUBA is a breast augmentation surgery that inserts the breast implant via the umbilicus, navel or belly button. There is no cut made under the breast so there will be no scar tissue anywhere near the breast when the surgery is complete. That is the main downfall of traditional breast augmentation surgery is that it will leave a scar beneath your freshly enhanced breasts and that is not acceptable to many women.

TUBA Breast augmentation has proven itself to be less invasive than other forms of augmentation surgery as well as being faster and of course, no visible scars on the breasts or in the armpit. It seems that TUBA surgery can be very polarizing with some surgeons, in that many who are not skilled in this procedure will scoff at it being safer or less invasive but the surgeons and patients that are knowledgeable in this arena seem to agree that this procedure is a better choice, at least for them.

TUBA Breast Augmentation Advantages

• No visible scar tissue on the breast or in the armpit.
• Allows for a larger implant due to no tension on the stitches in the traditional suture line.
• Shorter recovery time due to lack of incision or size of incision.
• Less likely to produce infection post op.
• 30 to 45 minute surgery procedure – less time under anesthesia
• Only 1/2 teaspoon of blood lost during the procedure, just from the small navel incision.

Overall the TUBA procedure is faster, offers shorter recovery time than traditional augmentation surgery and may be a great choice for you.  Consult your doctor for their recommendations.  There are some downsides to the surgery but they are few.  In a some cases the tunnels created up through the navel to the breast pocket fail to reattach to the fatty tissue and can leave a visible trail across the stomach.  There will also be some pain during the recovery period as with all breast augmentation surgeries but since there is less trauma with this type of surgery, then the pain and recovery period is less and shorter than with traditional surgery.

Tuba Breast Augmentation Surgery Process

T.U.B.A. Breast augmentation is typically completed in under an hour and is most often complete in 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.  It is typically performed under intravenous (IV) sedation combined with traditional local anesthesia.   The IV sedation drugs will promote sleep, memory loss, immobility and will block the ability to feel pain.

Prior to surgery, your doctor will mark you up with a marking pen to locate where the tunnels will be created under the skin and how they will locate the breast implant.  The procedure itself basically involves making a small incision in the navel, approximately 1″ to 1 1/2″ long.  Once access to your inside has been accomplished, the doctor will take a “tunneling” tool that creates a small passageway from the navel up to the breast pocket.  This tool is designed to seperate the fatty tissue from the muscle, just wide enough to be able to pass the breast implant through the tunnel.

Once both tunnels are created then the doctor will use another tool that will create the breast pocket where the implant will be physically be placed.  This is called a tissue expander and creates the necessary room for the enlarged breast implant that is soon to be in place.  The next step is to utilize another tool that will transport the breast implant up through the tunnels and into the breast pocket.  The entire process will be observed via an endoscope which is basically a small internal camera that allows the doctor to see inside your body and allow him/her to correctly place the implant.

Once the implants are properly placed then they will be filled with saline via an electric pump.  The doctor will pump the predetermined amount of saline into the breast implant and massage it for proper fill, shape and form.  The breast will literally expand right before your very eyes and pump up almost like a car tire.  Most surgeons will sit you up after this procedure to allow the saline to settle into the implant and make sure it takes the right shape.  If necessary then the saline will be increased or decreased as necessary to obtain the desired size and shape.

T.U.B.A Breast Augmentation Recovery

Recovery from TUBA Breast Augmentation surgery will vary depending on the patient but for most patients you will awaken with minimal pain and discomfort compared to some of the more traditional surgeries that you have seen completed in videos on the internet.  This is mainly due to the lower amount of internal invasion and the lack of blood loss and small incisions.  Again, this varies by patient but this is typical.

Many patients are ready to leave within 30 minutes to an hour and head home for follow up care.  It is common that some discomfort will start to appear once the local anesthetic begins to wear off.    Manageable levels of pain will appear in the days following the surgery, especially if you had your implants placed under the muscle.  This type of surgery creates more trauma inside the breast than over the muscle but the level of pain that you will experience is not anything that will not be manageable via medication provided by your doctor.

Typically you will return the very next day to your doctor for a follow up exam and to have your dressings removed.  The only incision that will need to heal is the small cut in your navel.  This is a huge advantage to traditional breast augmentation surgery where the incisions need to remain dry for several days following the surgery.

TUBA Breast Augmentation Myths

It would seem that there are many myths around TUBA breast augmentation surgery.  A few of the most common questions around TUBA breast augmentation surgery are listed below along with the actual truth.

• You cannot place the implant under the muscle with TUBA surgery – Absolutely False.  Many doctors can and many doctors cannot.  If this surgery is for you then find a doctor that has the training to accomplish what you need.
• TUBA is scarless - Not true, there will be a scar but it will be hidden inside your navel.
• Asymmetry is an issue with TUBA Breast Augmentation – No more so than any augmentation surgery.  A skilled doctor will do the job correctly while an unskilled doctor may not.
• TUBA has a milder healing process than other augmentation surgeries – True.  Fewer incisions and less trauma mean a shorter recovery time and less pain during recovery for most patients.
• TUBA Breast implant surgery will void the warranty from the manufacturer – Absolutely false.  This is a very common misconception about this type of surgery and is simply not true.  The manufacturers warranty is in full effect.
• Silicone Implants are not available via TUBA surgery – This is true.  These implants are prefilled from the manufacturer and cannot be passed up through the tunnels properly.

TUBA Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos

The following photos show you some of the patients that have experienced great success with the TUBA breast augmentation procedure.  If you are considering this surgery, then consult your surgeon for details and make the best decision that  you can.