Revision for Keloid Scars After Breast Lift?

A raised scar is not uncommon after this type of surgery. There are multiple options for treatment, including injection of steroids to the scar on a monthly basis, silicone sheeting, topical medications such as scar guard, and laser therapy. Of course, there's also the possibility to revise the scar. You should return to the original surgeon, who advise you possible treatment plans.

Raised and red scars are signs of immature scars. Pressure dressings or silicone sheeting can help with the hypertrophy and lasers can soften the color.

Keloid and hypertrophic scars occur after breast lift or mastopexy.  Treatment includes topical creams, silicone pressure tabs, TAC injection and revisional surgery to reduce widening of the scars. Keloids of the nipple and areola are a common complication after breast lift or mastopexy surgery.

Keloids and hypertrophic scars (which is what I think you have) are treated in similar ways. The first thing you need to do is get get pressure dressings for the scars and these can be found on line. The second thing I would recommend is have your surgeon inject a small amount of steroid. I would do an initial injection then reevaluate in 4 weeks and inject if I need to. The recurrence rate after surgical excision alone is very high so you want to avoid that initially. Other things that... more

Hi Janel, Thank you for your question! While there is no satisfactory treatment, there are a few options to minimize the appearance of keloid scars. Keloid scars can be treated by injecting a long-lasting cortisone into the scars. This should be done once a month. The keloid scar should become less noticeable and flatten withing three to six months after several injections. Another newer treatment is to apply a silicone gel preparation over the scar and cover with an ace bandage or cloth... more

I would agree with attempting non-surgical methods for 4-6 months (pressure therapy, massage, silicone gel sheeting, intralesional steroids, etc). If these fail to produce any significant improvement, I would attempt an initial scar revision on a small portion to the scar to make sure that this is not your normal response to injury. If you heal well, I would proceed with total scar revision.

Distinguish between hypertrophic scars (thick, raised, red) and keloids (scar grows beyond the area of injury). Silicone sheeting is a low cost, low risk treatment for hypertrophic scars. Try sheeting that is relatively think, self-adhesive, and with a fabric-type backing.

I would start with kenalog injections repeated every 6 weeks as needed.  I might try surgery after this if needed.  The problem with surgery is that the new scars may be worse than the old ones. sek