The axillary incision (#3) is placed in the highest underarm skin wrinkle.  It is completely hidden until the arm is lifted away from the body at least 45 degrees.  The scar usually heals well and is very inconspicuous.  Even if it heals badly it is hidden in a part of the body that is seldom viewed.  It provides good access to the plane behind the pectoral muscle for submuscular placement of breast implants in patients with small breasts who have no droop.  The axillary incision does not allow for any variations that reshape the breast, so it is not a good choice for people with any degree of breast droop.  The procedure doesn't provide ideal access for placement of local anesthesia, so patient's who select this method require general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital for their procedure. 

 

 Illustration from Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Second Edition by Thomas D. Rees, MD, and Gregory S. LaTrenta, MD.  Published by W.B. Saunders Company.  Used by permission.