There are many misconceptions regarding trans-umbilical breast augmentation.  Unfortunately, many of these erroneous beliefs are spread by surgeons who are not trained to perform this particular technique.  The most common myths and frequently asked questions are covered in the section below.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Dr, Leonard Grossman at any time.

1. It is impossible to have placement under the pectoral muscle with the trans-umbilical approach.
   False. Dr. Grossman recommends the sub-pectoral placement in the majority of his patients. The sub-pectoral placement procedure takes less time than the sub-glandular one, and is widely preferred by many women.
2. The trans-umbilical approach is a scarless procedure.
   True & False.  This approach is considered scarless because no scar is usually visible, but there is a really small scar hidden within the belly button, or navel.
3. Sometimes visible tracks on the abdomen can be seen after this procedure.
   Dr. Grossman has never personally experienced a case in which this has happened to a patient of his.  In the unlikely event that this was to occur, it is more than likely a connective-tissue failure to adhere to the fascia of the abdomen muscles and not technique-specific.  If in the event that you may notice tracks post-operatively, it is usually very temporary until the tissue adheres again from the dissection.
4. Asymmetry is common with the trans-umbilical approach.
   False.  This is yet another fallacy regarding T.U.B.A.  Asymmetry is almost always present preoperatively nearly in every patient.  The skill of the surgeon plays a significant part in correctly determining the appropriate implant size and placing this implant in the proper position.  Asymmetry is just as common in traditional incision placements as it is with T.U.B.A. and depends upon the skill and experience of the surgeon and limitations of correctability of the present anatomy of the patient.  
5. There is usually a milder healing phase associated with T.U.B.A. than with traditional methods.
   True.  There are no incisions on the breasts and no significant amount of sutures to deal with during the healing phase after T.U.B.A.  Hence no tension on the suture lines as with non-endoscopic approaches (areolar, infra-mammary).  Although many patients report less pain and need less pain medication after T.U.B.A., each patient's pain threshold is different.  However, the subpectoral placement will always have a certain degree of discomfort associated with it because the pectoral muscles are separated and stretched from the chest wall to accommodate the breast implants.
6. Having a trans-umbilical breast augmentation voids the warranty issued by breast implant manufacturers.
   False.  This is one of the top misconceptions regarding T.U.B.A.  The implant is rolled up no more than with the trans-axillary (under arm) and areolar incisions.  Only blunt objects ever touch the breast implant.  The implant is never put under any stress or damaged in any way during implantation or during the filling process.   The manufacturer’s warranty is in full effect with T.U.B.A..
7. I have my navel pierced; will you need to remove it before surgery?  Will I have to let it close up afterwards?
   Not at all.  You will be allowed to keep your navel ring or barbell intact before and after surgery.  Although you will need to scrub the area gently, but thoroughly, the night before surgery with an antibacterial soap to lessen the chance of infection.  During your surgery prep we will also sterilize this area.  We may remove it during your surgery and replace it afterwards if necessary.  However, if this is a newer piercing and there is an infection present (oozing or pus) you may be asked to remove it and let it heal before your surgery can be carried out.
8. T.U.B.A. is usually more expensive than traditional incision placements.
   False.  Although some surgeons like to tell you this, T.U.B.A. usually takes less time and less surgical materials (less sutures, surgical sponges, surgical tape, and gauze) than traditional methods. You are in the Operating Room and under anesthesia for much less time than in a traditional procedure.  Why would it raise the costs?  Undoubtedly this may be used as a gimmick since we all want as little scarring as possible, we'd pay more for it.  It is less invasive and traumatic for the patient.  Therefore Dr. Grossman does not charge more for TUBA and prefers it over the other approaches. 
9. If I have a rupture, can you replace my implant(s) through the navel as well?
   Absolutely!  There is no reason to have additional scars for a simple ruptured saline implant replacement surgery.  The incision will be made where your original incision was placed, the implant removed and replaced.  In fact, the replacement operation usually involves less or no pain than the primary surgery.  This is because most of the pain is due to the stretching of the implant pocket and tissue expansion first time around-- this goes for both sub-glandular and sub-pectoral placement.
10. Can I have a breast lift and T.U.B.A.?
    Yes, but not necessary since  there is no need for an additional scar in the navel when the breast lift incisions are large enough for implant placement.  Your breast lift incisions, depending upon the technique which will be determined by the degree of ptosis (sag), are more than enough room for sub-glandular and sub-pectoral implant placement.
11. Can I get silicone gel or cohesive silicone gel implants with T.U.B.A.
    No.  The silicone gel and cohesive silicone gel implants are pre-filled and must be implanted via the mammary fold or peri-areolar incisions.  Pre-filled breast implants are too large to fit through the navel.  An areolar or infra-mammary incision is usually necessary.
12. The chance of infection is greatly decreased with TUBA. 
    True.  Although there is always the chance of infection due to unforeseen problems such as improper wound care post-operatively, or the rare chance of bacteria on the surface of the breast implant, chances of infections are greatly lessened due to the placement of the incision and the lack of implant-breast tissue exposure.  The incision is not near the breast tissue nor is the breast implant ever passed through the actual skin of the breast where bacteria naturally live on the surface of our skin or inside the breast ducts.  The ducts within the breast are never cut or disturbed with T.U.B.A., which would release these bacteria nor is the implant passed through this ductwork where bacteria naturally live.  The implant is passed through a sterile tunnel which is created from your navel to the breast under the skin, so that it has an untainted passageway into your body. In fact in more than 5,000 T.U.B.A. breast augmentation performed by Dr. Grossman, not a single patient had an infection.
13. There are fewer bleedings with T.U.B.A. .
    True  The tissues in the T.U.B.A. procedure don’t get cut with a blade or cautery (electric knife). Tissues are simply stretched, therefore bleeding is extremely uncommon and in fact Dr. Grossman has never encountered a patient who bled after T.U.B.A.
14. Capsular Contractures are less frequent with T.U.B.A.
    True  The main causes of the capsular contractures are infections, hematomas (bleeding) and lack of breast massage. We mentioned above that bleeding and infections are extremely rare. As far as breast massages are concerned, only with T.U.B.A. can a patient comfortably massage their breast immediately after surgery, because there is no fear that the sutures might break, since the only sutures present are in the belly button and not on the breasts.
15. If I had traditional breast augmentation I have to have the implants replaced the same way.
    False  If your implants deflated or you simply desire to have larger or smaller implant replacement, you don’t need to be cut on the breasts, you can have the implants replaced by means of T.U.B.A. and have a safer and easier recovery.