Pinching at stitch on incision after lift. Very painful. Should I worry about scarring?

Question

I just had revision surgery for a lift 12 days ago. The left side of my left breast is pinched together at the incision. It’s miserable and painful and I’m worried about scarring. I have a message into my doctor but it’s a long holiday weekend. Help.

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear afterquestions,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. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Aisha White, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear you are in pain after your surgery.  It is difficult to be sure the cause of the pain, although it is possible it is from a deep suture or nerve pain.  It is also too early to predict how you will scar.  If your pain gets worse, I recommend you again contact your surgeons office.  Even if it is a holiday weekend, there should be an after-hours contact number for more urgent concerns.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The stitches used to close this incision are probably dissolvable and the scar will slowly flatten. However, contact your surgeon.

R. Stewart Collins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Without being seen in person, it is difficult to tell. If you are in pain & concerned I highly recommend making an appointment so your surgeon can take a look.

Pinching at stitch on incision after lift. Very painful. Should I worry about scarring?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

Answer: Post Revision

Answer: Post Revision

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Pinching at stitch on incision after lift. Very painful. Should I worry about scarring?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

Answer: Post Revision

Answer: Post Revision

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.