Breast Augmentation with Current Stretch Marks?

While breast augmentation surgery will not make your stretch marks disappear, it can improve their appearance significantly.  If the breast looks loose and saggy and deflated in appearance, the stretch marks tend to fold and appear "wrinkly".  When breast implants fill out the skin envelope of the breasts, the stretch marks get "filled out" also and so it looks less "wrinkly" and less noticeable.

Although it would make sense that stretching the skin would cause stretch marks (striae), in fact I have not seen this in my more than 25 yrs of practice and experience with thousands of breast augmentation patients. This however has been reported so is a very uncommon to rare occurrence. What I have seen however is existing white stretch marks become pink for several months afterwards and then fade.

Unfortunately stretch marks are basically scars within the skin and the only definitive way to correct them is by excision which always results in a scar.  This is not usually practical on the breast, unless performing a breast lift and removing some skin in the lower half of the breast.  The stretch marks along the upper pole/cleavage area may be improved somewhat with the breast augmentation as they would be filled out more and look smoother.  There are some other minimally invasive techniques (lasers) available that advertise the ability to improve the visibility of stretch marks, but I would approach these with caution as the results are quite mixed.  Good luck!

Stretch marks are created when the elastic fibers of the skin are stretched beyond their ability to contract.  In essence, they are little scars in the skin.  Since they are scars, there really isn't a good way to remove them other than to cut them out - not a practical approach with breast augmentation.  Filling out the skin with a breast implant may improve the appearance slightly but there is no guarantee that this will happen.

Sad to say, stretch marks are essentially a scar within the dermis.  This means there is no way to get rid of them.  However, with Breast Augmentation, the appearance may be more smooth, therefore less noticeable.  

There is no good safe, reliable, predictable, or cost effective treatment to permanently correct stretch marks.  Don't be swayed by gimmicks.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help for you.

Unfortunately, a stretch mark is basically a scar and cannot be removed. However, over time they will fade and become less visible. 

Stetch marks represent permanent damage to the skin and we currently can not remove. them. The color improves with time and with restored breast volume the skin surface will sometimes improve.

The quality and quantity of your breast tissue needs to be assessed before a recommendation breast augmentation and breast implant size can be commented upon. I have many patients who have improved their confidence when the other breast features are improved. Rarely, breast augmentation can result in new stretch marks. You may be wise to consider a more modest breast implant size if your skin is prone to stretch marks.

Best regards,

Dr. Mosher

Stretch marks are essentials scars in the skin, and are best addressed with excision which is not a good option for the breasts. The stretch marks especially on the upper pole may look better after augmentation, but there is no guarantee. Consult in person with 3 experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

You ask a very well thought out question that many patients fail to ask prior to surgery, then are upset in that they thought stretch marks would be gone after surgery. I have not had the experience in my practice that stretch marks go away on the breast. I do notice that as I add volume back to the breast and things stretch out the marks can become less noticeable, but rarely go away. You can still expect a great result and I am sure you will be happy once you treat yourself to rejuvenated breasts.