Can I treat breast augmentation scars even are 1 year post-op? (Photo)

It would be best to check in with your plastic surgeon for suggestions. The word bubble can mean different things to different people. Is it just a thick scar or is the implant close to the skin? That it is why it is best to see your doctor. Scarring is a whole other topic. If the scar is raised or red and goes beyond the boundary of the initial incision then it may be a keloid scar but if it is similar to the incision shape then it may be a hypertrophic scar. Some of these scars, can be re-excised to make them thinner again but they may need something beyond that. In our practice, we always try to optimize scarring and recently we have been using Embrace during the initial post op period after the incisional "scabbies" have fallen off. The results look as though the patients are months out from their procedures with lovely, thinner, lighter scars. If the scars are older then a similar product called Minimize can be helpful too. Some of our patients top it off with Biocorneum cream. Results can vary from person to person, since everyone heals slightly differently, especially if the skin tone is darker. Good luck!

Your scars can be treated with a kenalog injection or surgical excision.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You have what is called hypertrophic scarring. This just means that the scar is thicker, harder and more raised than usual. First, it's important to realize that scars often keep improving for even TWO years after surgery. I would recommend trying an injection of cortisone into the scar. This can often make the scar flatter, softer, and less uncomfortable. If that doesn't help enough, the scars can be cut out and sutured again, often in the office at little cost. There would be less trauma to the incisions this time, with less swelling and tension, possibly giving a nicer result.

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Yes, you can still treat it. Please see your plastic surgeon for an in-person assessment. 

The scar looks more hypertrophic than keloid but is biologically active given how red and itchy it is. Your options are surgical vs. non-surgical. If you go the non-surgical route you are looking at multiple fractional CO2 and flashlamp laser treatments over months as well as topical and/or injected steroid. If you go the surgical route you are looking at a simple excision followed by a regimen to prevent recurrence including months of medicated taping and possible laser treatments depending how you respond. Some doctors inject 5-FU or liquid nitrogen but that could be highly problematic if it kills the skin and exposes the implant. Just cutting it out is not an option because that is associated with a high risk of recurrence and if it recurs it will be much harder to treat the next time around. This is not a quick easy treatment in the hands of any surgeon.I hope you realize that this format of posting questions and receiving answers lacks the face to face direct communication required for you to make an informed decision regarding your surgery.My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship in order to know if this assessment is valid.

The photo shows a very hypertrophic scar. There are a variety of things that can help make the scar better, such as steriod injected into the scar, topical silicone sheeting, and/or topical steroid tape. Sometimes a combination of all of the options works best. Normally, laser is also an option to resurface and minimize a scar, but I don't think it would be as helpful in your situation now that the scar has become so raised. If conservative measures fail, scar revision is also an option, with using something like Embrace immediately after.

Hello and thank you for your question. You appear to have hypertrophic scarring of your breast incision.  I recommend that you return to your surgeon and start with steroid injections.  If that does not result in significant improvement, then a scar revision surgery may be helpful.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

dear patient: thanks for your photo and question! You can have your Plastic Surgeon inject steroids in the scar area up to six times six weeks apart.  This should hep with the scar look and feel overall.

Dear lizbethhernandezz,based on your photos, it looks like you have hypertrophic scar and you might consider Cortisone injections. But it would be best that you visit your plastic surgeon for an in person examination. This way, your surgeon can assess your scars properly and determine the best course of action to address and resolve your concerns.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery