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African American Worried About Benelli Lift Scar, What Can I Expect?

asked 3 months ago by FitLuv
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 252 times
Tags: African American, benelli, expectation, scar

In my reading the Q/A in realself, I came across a PS that said African americans should NEVER use an areola incision beacuse of scarring. this has really bothered me because i was finally happy that I didnt have to have the lollipop scar and I thought this scar would be much less noticable. I also have very large areolas and my PS is making them smaller. Please let me know if I will absolutely have terrible scarring or does it vary from cast to case. Also, 400cc too big for Benelli lift?

13 answers to African American Worried About Benelli Lift Scar, What Can I Expect?

Circumareolar scars

If you have very large areolas you will need circumareolar incisions to reduce their size. However, if you have a significant amount of ptosis, this approach may not be enough. You will be better served if you would consider re-submitting this question with pictures. Techniques vary depending on what we have to work with and your desired outcome. I have personally operated on a high percentage of AA women with almost invisible scars around the areolas. It's all about technique... more

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.horndeski.com

African Americans should be wary of Benelli (periareolar) breast lift.

The best scars result when the incisions are closed with tension. A periareolar lift always is closed with tension. That's why I think it is seldom a good procedure in any patient but particularly African Americans.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

African American and Binelli Lift Scar

You have very good reason to be concerned, but not necessarily because you are African American. While its true that some people of color tend to make thicker or keloid like scars, this is actually quite unusual on the breast unless there is some problem with wound healing. I do lifts and reductions on African Americans all the time and they get very satisfactory results. It is a misconception to think that a Binelli Lift always results in a lesser scar. As Dr. Rand pointed out, the very... more

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift scars in an African-American woman.

Never say NEVER about anything! I have performed breast lifts on African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Mediterranean women for 25 years, and the worst scars I have ever seen were on a lily-white Caucasian woman! The risk of hypertrophic or keloidal scars is slightly higher in patients of color, but the vast majority of women of any race undergoing breast lift will have very nice scars after they heal and mature fully. Just look at the photos in my breast lift spotlight, on my RealSelf... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Benelli lift

I hate blanket statements like the one you described. I have used circumaroela incision in patients of all different ethnicities. Most do extremely well. Sure like any incision there could be problems in some individuals but the majority do very well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How Bad Will I Scar?

Dear Omaha4903, African Americans or anyone with darker skin color are at a higher risk for developing hypertrophic (excess scar) or even keloid (severe overgrowth of scar) scar formation. Higher risk does not mean "for certain". Many things determine your risk including a personal or family history of poor scar formation. We have performed hundreds of surgeries on many different skin colors and types and have found that many end up with beautiful scars. ... more

Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift Scarring for African American Women

Women of African heritage in the United States often have a lot of racial mix. No rule holds across the board. Paler skin types tend to make less noticeable scars than darker skin types. My African American patients usually make good scars if they have no personal or family history of hyperpigmentation (scar darkening) or keloid formation (overgrowth of scars). Less scarring can be beneficial for the person at risk for unsatisfactory scars. The choice of implant size... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift scars for a dark skin tone

There are risks for hypertrophic scars and hyperpigmentation with a breast lift, and they can actually occur in all skin types, though as an African American we can understand your worry. The risk is not greater or less than with breast reduction, and we have a fairly broad experience which indicates the risk is present, though not for all, even with a darker skin tone. If the areola is very large, relapse or sretch is reduced with the vertical pattern. Look at many postings and photos of... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Areolar incisions

I use circumareolar incisions in Blacks all the time. I do not like the Binelli procedure for lifts as the scars usually do stretch out. People of color who have breast reductions have areolar scars all the time with no problems.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Benelli in african american skin

That is 1 of the ideal indications for the surgery done with a scar only around the areola. problem is that not everyone is the ideal candidate for this procedure. make sure that your doctor is very comfortable with that operation. another trick is to wear either tape or some type of silicon strips 4 a long time after the surgery

Sherwood Baxt, MD
New Jersey Plastic Surgeon

Benelli Lift

Without pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice. However, most people who are looking for a Benelli lift really should consider a traditional life. The Benelli lift places a lot of tension not he incision which can make the scar wide. Additionally, without the vertical component to the lift, there is less control over the shape of the breast. So, those patients that demand a smaller incision are really doing themselves a... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Benelli lifts are often over prescribed

The worst results from Benelli lifts are in those folks who really needed more but were afraid of the scars. It is ironic because usually the full lift scars are well accepted while a majorly pursestringed scar (big areolas and a Benelli) will never make a great scar because of the logistics of the difference between the outer and inner circle diameters.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

African American Breast Lifting Scarring?

Thank you for the question. The vast majority of African-American patients who undergo breast lift surgery ( of any type) will do well with scarring. A small percentage will have problems with hypertrophic or keloid scar formation. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict for sure which patients will have the abnormal scarring. It will be important to choose your plastic surgeon carefully; it will also be important to make sure you are a candidate for Benelli breast lifting.... more