Breast reduction - wound dehiscence - will I need a scar revision? (Photo)

Question

I had my breast reduction five weeks ago. At week two I noticed the beginning of some splitting in the incisions. Now these wounds are completely open, no bleeding anymore and some brownish discharge still. I've been using wet gauze every day, but I am worried about how slowly they're healing. I am a non smoker. I am also worried about excessive scarring. Will I need a scar revision?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

First, you and your plastic surgeon need to manage these wounds. You have good granulation tissue and it might be a good time soon to return to surgery and close the incisions. This is the best approach to reduce unwanted scarring. After 6 to 12 months, you will return to your surgeon to re-evaluated your scars and you may or may not need revision. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo

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

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

I'm sorry you had this set back, however as your wounds heal, you will notice the width of the opening becoming much narrower, so the final scar will be much narrower than what you presently see.  I would favor allowing the wounds to fully heal with good wound care and allowing the final scars to mature and relax for several months.  At that time you may consider having the scars revised to achieve the best possible appearance.  Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It can take a while for those incisions to close and you should be patients and follow your surgeons wound care instructions.

Pierre R. Michaud, MD · Answer

This can be very stressful after reduction - it is possible that you would benefit from a scar revision in the future - open wounds are know to contract which will make the final healed scar much more narrow then the wound you presently have - different Plastic surgeon will handle this differently but I would suggest to remain open to possible scar revision in the future.

Breast reduction - wound dehiscence - will I need a scar revision? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wound dehiscense

Answer: Wound dehiscense

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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Breast reduction - wound dehiscence - will I need a scar revision? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wounds

Answer: Wound dehiscense

Answer: Wound dehiscense

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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