There are a number of places where incisions can be made, and the armpit is just one. Here, the incision is made in the natural folds of the skin under the arm. This has a particular advantage because patients don’t have to worry about having scars on their breasts. 

That said, inserting an implant through this incision site requires a skilled, experienced surgeon who is capable of placing the implant properly.  Because the incision site means the surgeon will be working farther away from the chest, the procedure is more difficult. And if not placed properly, the implants can be lopsided. 

With this incision, the implants can be placed over the muscle, partially underneath the muscle or completely behind the muscle. 

One particular downside is that if a complication occurs, such as capsular contracture or bottoming out, you will need to have another surgery, and that surgery will require an incision in the area of the breast. So, while you may have sided with the transaxillary incision because you didn’t want a visible incision, should another incision be made, it will be visible.