Add volume and bring balance to your breasts through one small incision tucked away in the underarm — a change that works in harmony with your body.
Endoscopic breast augmentation may suit you when the volume of your breast tissue no longer matches your frame, and you would like a balanced, natural-looking change. The endoscope lets your surgeon work through one small incision in the underarm. Here is how to tell whether this approach is a good fit for you.
Everything begins with a consultation. The surgeon who will perform your operation assesses your frame, the shape of your chest and breasts, the fat and gland tissue you have now, and the condition of your skin and muscle. You will have routine pre-operative tests and a review with the anaesthetist. Depending on your case, you may also be asked to have a mammogram or a breast ultrasound.
There are a few things to prepare before the day of surgery. You stop any medication containing aspirin for 10 days beforehand, and you do not eat for 6 hours before the operation. The surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia and takes around one hour.
The incision sits discreetly in the hollow of the underarm and is roughly 2–4 cm long, depending on the size of the implant. With the endoscope, the length of the incision depends on the implant volume and the surgeon's skill, rather than on the endoscopic technique itself. The implant can be placed in front of the chest muscle (behind the breast gland) or behind the chest muscle; your surgeon will explain the advantages and drawbacks of each position before you choose together. In some cases a closed drain is placed and removed within 24 hours.
About the implant: the shell is made of silicone (either textured or smooth), and inside it holds saline, highly cohesive silicone gel, or hydrogel. Highly cohesive gel does not spread into the surrounding tissue if the implant ruptures. Implants come in a round shape or a teardrop shape; the choice depends on how much breast tissue you have left and on what you want — with implants under 240 ml, the difference between the two shapes is small.
The surgery improves the volume and shape of your breasts, and for many people it brings more confidence. The final result is judged at 2–3 months — the time it takes for the breasts to soften again and the implant to settle. It helps to hold a realistic view of the outcome.
The first few days bring real pain and tightness, along with mild swelling and bruising at the incision. Most people manage this well with the pain relief your surgeon prescribes. The stages below are a rough guide — everyone recovers at their own pace.
Most breast augmentations carried out by the right principles go smoothly. But as with any surgery, there are still risks worth knowing about beforehand — and knowing them clearly helps you decide well.
For safety and a good result, endoscopic breast augmentation needs to be performed by a specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery who is thoroughly trained in endoscopy, at a hospital licensed to carry out cosmetic surgery.
At The Gioi Dep, every case includes a pre-operative anaesthesia review by an anaesthesiology and critical care doctor, with monitoring and an inpatient stay after surgery. This is the standard we apply for every patient, not an upgrade you choose.
The incision sits hidden in the hollow of the underarm and is roughly 2–4 cm long, depending on the implant volume. The scar fades over time, but like any incision, it remains.
Both positions are possible. The choice depends on how much fat and gland tissue you have left and on what you want, after your surgeon explains the advantages and drawbacks of each position.
An implant can hold saline, highly cohesive silicone gel, or hydrogel; in a round or a teardrop shape. Your surgeon will advise on the type that suits your breast tissue and what you want.
After an implant is placed, you can still become pregnant and breastfeed as normal, with no danger to mother or baby. It is generally wise to wait around 6 months after surgery before becoming pregnant.
From what is understood today, implants — including silicone gel implants — do not cause breast cancer and do not raise the risk. You should still have regular screening and let your doctor know you have an implant, so the right method of examination can be chosen.
Many people keep their implants for years with no major change, but an implant should not be thought of as lasting forever. Implants are usually replaced when you want to improve the look — for example to change the volume, change the shape, or address sagging.
Most people return to work after 2–5 days, depending on what their work involves, and go back to sports and exercise after around 2 months.
The first few days bring real pain and tightness. Most people manage this well with the pain relief your surgeon prescribes, and feel noticeably more comfortable within the first week.
Book a consultation to find out if endoscopic breast augmentation is right for you.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.