What can I do to fix the scarring after implant removal and vertical breast lift? (Photos)

Question

After 2 unsuccessful donut breast lifts to make my areola smaller and higher I was left with terrible wide scarring and huge areola. I was told by many doctors it was due to too much tension on the incisions and the only way to achieve the result i wanted was with a formal lift. So I opted to have my implants removed and a vertical breast lift 6 months ago. I’m left with scars that are even worse than before and I don’t understand why this keeps happening and what I can do to fix this. I cannot

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Scars around the areola are common and can be worse if there is a great deal of tension to the area. Scars take about one year for it to mature, over this time they will gradually change in it appearance. You should be patient and then proceed with options. Talk to you plastic surgeon. In some cases depending on the pigment of the scar, treatments such as laser or microneedling have been indicated. If pigment is light, scar camouflage can be used. In the mean time always a good idea to wear a supportive bra and wear sunscreen.

Anna Steve, MD · Answer

Silicone products (gels or strips, C02 laser, steroid injections and a product called 5-FU can improve thickness of scar. Pulsed dye laser and sun protection and can help improve pigmentation.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Because you had a prior donut lift the areolae were stretched out. I suspect your surgeon tried to reduce them with the vertical lift and did a pretty good job. The scars should improve with time but you might need another minor revision

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear chicago1234567,
I understand you are concerned with the appearance of your scars. As your scars heal, it should flatten out and lighten. Loss of pigmentation or hyperpigmentation may also be experienced but will resolve over time. Always follow your surgeon's post operative care instructions when it comes to scar management to avoid any complications like infection and for faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Micro-needling can be of some help. You might even need a revision now that there will be no tension on the scars.  Please discuss this with your surgeon.

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note prominent red thickened scars around your areolae and to a lesser extent, the vertical limbs of your vertical breast lift. 
This phenomenon is not unusual this early in the postoperative period, as it takes 12-18 months for scars to mature, lose their redness and flatten. 
Your surgeon is correct. The donut lift incisions are under tension as one sutures a larger circle to a smaller circle and is prone to stretching. A donut lift removes a vertical segment of skin below the areola to lessen this tension and prevent areolar stretching.
There are non-invasive and invasive methods to hasten the resolution of this inflammatory process.  Hypertrophic scars often spontaneously regress with time, the final scar noted when the redness of inflammation has subsided (usually at 12-18 months). The application of pressure and immobilization of a scar with silicone gel sheeting appears to hasten resolution of the process. Various creams are available, but their efficacy is questionable.
Laser treatments are available with varying degrees of success. 
Injection of corticosteroids directly into the scar may flatten the scar and alleviate symptoms (if present), but may also broaden the scar and cause pigmentary change in the skin locally. For this reason, we usually delay its use for as long as possible.
Surgical scar revision is an option to consider if regression is not noted at 12-18 months after the procedure.  
Continue follow up with your plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

What can I do to fix the scarring after implant removal and vertical breast lift? (Photos)

Answers (7)

More Breast Lift Questions

Good candidate for lollipop mastopexy or quit while I'm ahead? (Photos)

Are my boobs saggy or normal looking? (Photo)

What to do about breast wrinkly after weaning 3-4 months ago? (Photo)

Do I need a full blown lift or can I do donut? (Photos)

Size of areola after breast lift - Is it possible to retain areola size or will a breast lift always result in a small areola?

Could I try a breast lift without implants? 28 years old (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS