Breast crease extends too far after breast reduction. How can it be fixed? (Photo)

Question

I am about 3 1/2 months post-breast reduction, and I have found that the crease underneath my breast now extends rather far onto the side of my ribs towards my armpit, noticeably farther than it did before my surgery. I can't wear backless clothing because this crease now appears visible and makes me look rather dumpy and my breasts appear saggy from the side under clothing, which they don't appear saggy from the front. Could this just be some persistent swelling? How can it be fixed?

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

It is very common to have an inframammary breast incision extend this far after breast lifts/reductions. If there is an incisional contour that is bothering you, it is important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Great incisional care is important for 12 months following surgery; including scar cream, scar manipulation and protection from the sun.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! The easiest option might be some liposuction to flatten out the area. The other option might be a scar revision but that could potentially lengthen the scar. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Phenomenal150874,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Most likely the crease was already present, but you did not notice because of the size and position of your breasts. To fix it requires removing the extra skin with a longer scar. You might want to keep the crease and use tape to position this skin under your backless clothing.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You are still early in your recovery and need more time to see your final results.  It can take up to a year for scars to mature and soften.  If after that time you still have concerns you can consider a revision to improve your results.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

A lot of women have some skin laxity under your arm pit of this to be away, is made worse with age and weight fluctuations.
During breast reduction surgery, a significant amount of skin is removed and this needs to be tapered to an endpoint. If that endpoint still have skin redundancy the patient ends up with a dog ear or extending the scar either to armpits or onto the back. This is a common problem when doing breast reduction or breast lift surgery on people with significant skin laxity. To make an assessment regarding the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we generally always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before, and after pictures then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. Surgeons will often try to limit the extent of the scar in order to not leave a visible scar onto your back or up into your armpits. This is a balancing act between leaving a “dog ear” and having an excessively long scar.
Sometimes, reviewing before pictures can help put things in perspective for patients who are lacking gratitude regarding the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

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