Do anchor lifts scar Asian skin more? Should I expect keloid scars again? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your questions and photos.I think your scars are wide and unsightly but not true keloids.  It is not because you are Asian that the scars around your areolas look like they do.  It is because you had a 'doughnut' lift where all of the tension is around the scars that causes them to stretch.  That is one reason I do not like that kind of lift.An anchor scar lift does not put tension on the areola, so you do not get wide scars.  The tension is on the vertical scar between the areola and the lower breast crease.  That skin is usually thicker and can handle the tension much better.I have performed breast surgery on a lot of Asian women with scars as thin and flat as any other type of skin color.Hope this helps.Dr Spies

Keloid scars are characterized by their growth potential and increased degree of inflammation within the skin. Unlike non-inflamed scars, keloids have the potential for growth beyond the original footprint of injury. Our office specializes in the management of keloids, whether single or multiple, using a combination platform that includes lasers, RF, scar modulation, Parke-Davis Scar Protocols, and injection therapy. Some keloids will require surgical intervention as an initial step for treatment.
Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself 100 Surgeon

Thank you for asking. The anchor incision breast lift is very common and still the gold standard for many patients’ breasts. Hypertrophic scars can occur for some people depending on their history and incision location, tension and technical closure. See your local board certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your specific needs. Best wishes!

Everyone scars a bit differently. 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 Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
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The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery.  I never recommend anchor lifts because of the vertical scars, loss of nipple sensation and the inability to breast feed.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear themysterywoman,
My preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity. 
For scars, I close all of my incisions in 5 layers and do not use absorbable sutures because they cause inflammation and worse scarring. I tape all of my incisions in the office visits once a week for six weeks after surgery to improve the appearance. After taping, I start my patients on a scar gel therapy for 3 months that they have to put on their incisions twice daily.You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon as different surgeons have different approaches in scar management.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Just based on your photos, you do not have keloid scarring. However, your anchor incisions might scar like those around your areolae. You might reconsider doing a lift to avoid that scarring and just live with a little sagging. You also could ask about minimally invasive radiofrequency skin tightening like Renuvion which could use your same scars.

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) Based on your photos, you appear to have widened scars---not keloids. Widened scars are usually a result of excess tension across the incision/scar while the incision/scar is healing/maturing. Having widened scars in the past does not necessarily mean that you will have them in the future. If you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

While your scars turned out less then ideal these are mildly hypertrophic scars not keloids and the difference is important. Your revision to either a vertical short scar breast lift or anchor scar may not hypertrophy this time. People with mildly hypertrophic (thickened) scars often don't do the same thing again when revised, especially if the skin is not overly undermined or placed on tension. True keloids scars most likely will return, but these aren't keloids. If having an anchor incision, still work on keeping it as short as able for the aesthetics your wish for, and have your surgeon keep a closer eye on your recovery considering the use of appropriate pigment and scar management early on before scars get ahead of you. Your surgeon can't guarantee no scar problems, but good attention to detail can be very helpful.

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. I agree that your breast lift scars are unusually wide. I think that if you decide to have a second lift, your surgeon needs to take every precaution to prevent these scars from forming again. That being said, a repeat lift is a good option for you. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate you. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. Good luck!