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What Causes Stretch Marks from Breast Augumentation and How Can It Be Avoided?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Raj S. Ambay, MD
Question viewed 2,678 times
Tags: stretch marks, blue veins

Although I am very happy with the size and shape of my implants, having gone from a small B to a normal C., I am too embarrased to to ever let them been seen. Is there anything that can be done to lessen the appearance of these blue veins?

26 answers to What Causes Stretch Marks from Breast Augumentation and How Can It Be Avoided?

+3

Breast Augmentation Stretch Marks Can Often be Avoided

Thank you for your question. Fortunately stretch marks are unusual following Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants- less than 2% of cases. To avoid them you need to be aware of the factors that cause stretch marks after Breast Implants; An inherited tendency to form stretch marks Too large Breast Implant Breast Implant placed under Breast Gland Having Breast Implants before you have had children Vigorous Exercise or Weight lifting too soon after... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+2

Stretch marks and visible veins after breast augmentation

Stretch marks do not present as blue veins, rather they are flat, irregular lines on the skin that may be pink or pigmented at first and usually fade with time. They are unlikely to occur after breast augmentation but may be more noticeable with the breast skin stretched by the implants. Veins are under the skin and may become more prominent after breast augmentation, although they may also become less visible with time.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Stretch marks after breast augmentation

You can get stretch marks after breast augmentation. 1. Hereditary predisposition- In English, this means some people are prone to getting stretch marks.  If you got bad stretch marks in any area- arms, thighs, belly- from weight changes or rapid growth (sometimes during a growth spurt you can get stretch marks on your outer thigh or during pregnancy on your belly), then you likely are prone.  There was a study which shows there is an issue with the fibroblasts in these... more
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Some women get stretch marks after breast augmentation.

Some women get stretch marks after breast augmentation, but this is not very common.  Usually it happens to women that are prone to stretch marks or if the woman chose an implant that is uncommonly large. Stretch marks are tears of the deep dermis which heal with scar tissue.  This is permanent, but the appearance will change over time. If you developed stretch marks of the hips or thighs during puberty from growing then you are at definite risk of stretch marks from breast... more
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+2

Stretch marks after Breast Augmentation

Stretch marks after breast augmentation is actually quite rare. If a woman has a very large implant placed, it is more common, but from what you describe, that does not seem to be the case. When the skin envelope is filled out, it is possible to make veins in the tissue more noticeable. This may be what you are seeing. As far as I am aware, there is unfortunately not much that you can do for them.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+2

Occasionally patients have very porcelain type skin and...

Occasionally patients have very porcelain type skin and have very visible blue veins in the breasts. These are normal and I am not aware of anything that can be done for them unfortunately. Perhaps knowing that these are not uncommon and are normal, you can feel more comfortable with personal situations. While it is not good for your skin, these might be hidden a bit by self-tanning so you feel less self-conscious.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blue veins after Breast Augmentation

The blue veins are caused intially because of the additional pressure that implants place on the skin from underneath. There is very little you can or should do but please note that it will dissipate over time as the skin accomodates your new size. This is different from the stretch marks which is due to skin that is over stretched its elastic capability.
Raj S. Ambay, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stretch Marks after Breast Augmentation - What are my chances?

In my practice, Stretch Marks are rarely a result of breast augmentation. In the thousands I have done it is hare to remember but one or two that may have developed them. In some cases looking closely as the preoperative photos they were already there but just became transiently pink and more noticeable because of the normal increase of blood flow to the area after any surgery. The things I can think of that may make you more prone to this is if you are on steroids,... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts with blue veins and stretch marks

Quite honestly, I am surprised that stretch marks do not occur more freqently than they do. However, there is little you can do once they appear. Similarly blue veins may be more prominent following augmentation, and there are very few options for this. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Big Blue Veins After Breast Augmentation Are Not Stretch Marks

Big blue veins are very common after breast augmentation.  Usually these are deep veins, and are not amenable to treatment with lasers (which can only treat veins very close to the surface).  These are not stretch marks.  These veins were always there, it is just that they were not as noticeable before.  
Claudio DeLorenzi, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

This can occur when implants are overly larger that it's ideal.

Unfortunately, in some people this can occur. I generally find that with younger patients who have had large implants stretching their skin more than is the ideal. Anyway, to avoid it is by using smaller implants and you can help minimize it by massaging the breast area with Bio-oil following your operation.
Adrian Richards, MD

London Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blue Veins after Breast Augmentation

"Blue veins" sound like veins not stretch marks. Stretch marks are pink or red in appearance early, and will fade to more of a skin color with time. Stretch marks are scars and will be permanent. Veins are seen blue with a white skin background, hence the royal term "blue blood". So don't be so discouraged "your highness". If these bother you too much, try getting a tan. The "bourgeoisie" would agree.
Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stretch Marks after Augmentation

Pink or red stretch marks can be made better with laser treatments. "Blue veins," as you describe are not stretch marks, but a (usually) temporary change. Give your breasts about 12 months to heal; if the dilated veins persist, laser treatments can help.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

What causes stretch marks after breast augmentation?

From the description of what you said "blue veins" are not stretch marks. If you have veins that are more visible it is highly unlikely that this will go away.  If you do in fact have stretch marks that are pink or a reddish color, I would recommend using a silicone based scar gel and massaging it on your breasts morning and night. This could help them to diminish quicker.  Good Luck!
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Concerned about stretch marks after Breast Augmentation?

First, take note of what the marks look like. If you notice marks after surgery that look a bit blue in color it’s possible that the implants have made the veins in your breast tissue a bit more noticeable. Those aren’t stretch marks, and there will not be much you can do to reduce their appearance. If they look a bit red in color, it’s possible they are stretch marks. Whether or not you get stretch marks is often left up to genetics. If you are prone to getting... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

What Causes Stretch Marks from Breast Augumentation and How Can It Be Avoided?

The appearance of blue veins soon after breast augmentation is not uncommon and usually improves with time.  These veins were there before the surgery but have become more visible after placement of an implant behind the breast tissue and/or muscle.  If these blue veins are actually stretch marks, they may also improve with time, but will not completely disappear.  The modest augmentation that you underwent is generally not enough of a change in size... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blue veins are not stretch marks

Blue veins are just blue veins. If they are small enough in diameter, they may be treated with lasers.  If they are larger, then you may expect to live with them and learn to love them.  If you really have stretch marks, they will fade over time and eventually look like thin flat pale lines.  They will never go away, but they will be less noticeable.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Time will allow the veins and the blue stretch marks to fade

Going from a B cup to a C cup should not give you distended veins or cause stretching of the skin to create stretch marks. I have seen one case following augmentation where the woman developed stretch marks with a very small implant. Those stretch marks developed a very deep blue color that faded with time, about 9 months.
Gary H. Manchester, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stretch marks after breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States because they can provide a beautiful result in allow women to change the shape and size of their breast in a consistent fashion. If a woman chooses an implant that is significantly too big for her breast tissue envelope, it is possible that the skin will have difficulty expanding over the implant and you will notice skin damage such as stretch marks. To avoid this, work with a board-certified plastic surgeon... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

+1

Stretch marks after breast augmentation

Stretch marks are rare, but possible, after breast augmentation if the skin is very tight and is quickly expanded by large implants. In this case, the deeper collagen of the skin is torn producing the visible stretch marks. Prominent veins are another problem, also rare, but related to the skin's response to rapid expansion. In both cases, there is little that can be done after surgery.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation does not cause stretch marks.

I don't recall seeing a stretch mark generated by breast augmentation although the skin has to expad to accept the increased volume.  In addition, I have never seen stretch marks after skin expansion where the skin is ultimately placed under great tension.  I'm sure that someone, somewhere has had a stretch mark generated by augmentation, but this is very rare.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to Avoid Stretch Marks After Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery stretches the skin, in turn increasing the risk for more visible veins or stretch marks (particularly for fair skinned patients). Patients with more elastic skin have a decreased risk of developing stretch marks because when the implant is placed under the muscle the skin is not stretched as tight. For women with smaller breasts and less elastic skin, it is recommened to choose an implant that is a bit smaller. In some cases, patients choose a smaller implant... more
Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants and Veins

The issue is that by stretching the skin, especially if you have fair skin, you can make the veins that are there normally more prominent. Unfortunately, there is not much to do about it, and in certain cases, I have seen them fade away slightly. Hope that helps.
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stretch marks after implants

I have only seen a single case of stretch marks developing after implants.  Interestingly it happened to a woman who chose fairly small implants.  They did improve over time but will never go away completely.
Michael Philbin, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prominent veins after breast augmentation

Occaisionally, we see the veins on the breast skin become more prominent after breast augmentation. There is no good treatment or prevention. A light makeup may cover them.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants and veins

Yes, veins and stretch marks can be more prominent after breast augmenatation. The skin is stretched and so stretch marks can develop, but while stretching the vessels can also be more prominent.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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