Transumbilical breast augmentation is also known by the name TUBA. It is a unique surgical approach to breast enlargement, which utilizes the belly button as the entrance location for placing the breast prostheses. TUBA is growing in popularity and many cosmetic surgeons have specialized in this desirable and in-demand surgical approach. TUBA is not for every woman and does have inherent risks and drawbacks when compared to other breast augmentation procedures.
This essay compares and contrasts TUBA to other forms of augmentation mammoplasty.
Transumbilical Definition
Umbilical refers to the navel, as in reference to the umbilical cord. The TUBA procedure uses the location of the body’s only natural scar as the entry incision for placing breast implants into the body.
This incision placement is well hidden and will leave no noticeable evidence of a scar, once it is healed.
The belly button is located in the abdomen, which is also a great area to perform cosmetic surgery, due to the high elasticity of the abdominal skin.
Implants can be positioned into place, without ever cutting into the breast skin at all. This method leaves no operative evidence and makes it difficult to prove enlargement surgery has ever taken place.
Among all breast augmentation procedures, the TUBA approach has the least chance of leaving any tell-tale signs of surgery.
Surgical Approach Through the Belly Button
The cosmetic surgeon will mark the patient using a surgical pen to give them a visual guide where to position the implants.
Once sedated and in the operating room, a small incision will be made in the upper fold of the navel. The doctor will use special instruments to move aside the tissues of the abdomen (blunt dissection) and create a pocket to accommodate the implant. Often this process is accomplished using a surgical endoscope to help visualize the interior body cavity.
This pocket can be placed under the muscle, above the muscle or in the dual plane position. Once the pocket is ready, the surgeon will insert the saline breast implants into the body, folded and unfilled, and position them in the pockets.
Once in place, the implants will be filled to the predetermined level, using sterile saline solution.
Once placement and symmetry have been double checked, the surgical incision will be closed and a surgical compression bra or bandage will be applied.
Transumbilical Breast Surgery
This fantastic option is perfect if you are among the many women who are turned off at the prospect of a visible surgical scar.
An expert in TUBA will be able to create an incredibly natural look with no scars or surgical evidence at all.
The only real downside to this procedure is the prohibition on using silicone breast prostheses. Saline is currently the only option in TUBA, but that might change in the future.
Even so, saline-filled prostheses are still excellent breast implants and are the preferred choice of many augmentation patients anyway. If you are fine with saline, then TUBA is a procedure to consider carefully.
Talk to your qualified plastic surgeon about the benefits and disadvantages of using TUBA to enlarge your breasts.
Make sure to compare the procedure to other surgical approaches before making your final determination on which operation is best for your individual needs.
