What is an anchor breast lift scar like?

The anchor or inverted-T mastopexy is recommended for patients with severe ptosis, poor skin quality, and/or flaccid breast tissue. This technique, which is the most popular in the United States, uses an incision around the nipple-areolar complex, a vertical incision from the bottom of the nipple to the inframammary fold, and a horizontal incision along the entire extent of the inframammary fold. The larger incisions allows for the greatest access and reshaping of the breast tissue as well as removal of the greatest amount of skin in multiple directions. This results in a dramatic change in nipple position and shape required for many older patients with greater degrees of sagging. The main advantages of this technique are that the results are uniformly predictable and allow for correction of large degrees of ptosis. The obvious disadvantage is the scar burden. Additionally, with time patients may notice a tendency towards “bottoming out” or flattening of the breast and/or recurrent drooping.

Hidef protocols can help with keloid and hypertrophic scars on the face and body. Surgery is often not needed if lasers are introduced. 
In our office, we combine treatments starting with topical pre-conditioning of the scars with Plato's Scar Serum for hypertrophy and Melarase PM for pigmentation. Fractional RF, laser, and micro fractional RF can help limit scar growth. Kenalog IIT can also help reduce scar thickness. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

#AnchorPatternScarsAppearanceVaries widely from patient to patient. However, there are many things you can do to minimize them. (By the way I nearly always favor the Lollipop Breast Lift that has about 40% less scarring for most). Best Scar Management is important to minimize or completely hide from view, the telltale signs of your surgery—namely, scars. Both you and your surgeon want you to have the most minimal scarring possible. There are many possible causes for scars that are enlarged or not healing well. Unsightly scars are most commonly due to genetics, underlying medical conditions, or improper scar/wound care. The last part is very important and patients can make a noticeable difference in their scars’ appearance by following best scar management practices. Here are some simple tips.Scar Management tips:Minimize tension on the scar. Steri-Strips and/or surgical tape are often placed in non-hair bearing areas at the time of surgery to minimize tension and keep pressure over the scar. This minimizes the stress that can pull the scar apart (dehiscence) creating a wound and delaying healing time, and can make the scar wider, or more “ropy”. In the first few weeks after surgery, I recommend the use of Embrace Scar Therapy which is an adherent silicone sheeting pre-stretched when applied so as to offload tension on the scar.Keep your incision site/scar clean to prevent infection. Follow your surgeon’s wound care instructions to the letter with out modification. Never apply different products then recommended without first discussing them with your surgeon. This is especially important during the first few weeks. If there are any signs of infection, contact your surgeon’s office right away and/or see your doctor or his nurse immediately. Typical signs of infection may include redness outside the immediate incision site, asymmetric swelling, and drainage, of pus, fever, chills, and “feeling sick”.Protect your scars from the sun. Staying out of the sun is the best advice. Minimal exposure to sunlight is prevents hyperpigmentation (permanently turning brown) and other problems that can make the scar more noticeable. Sunscreen, at least 30 SPF and an overlying make camouflage make up additionally protects the scar from the suns harmful rays. This advice is especially important the first year following your surgery.Use specific scar maturation products recommended by your surgeon. Patients seem to have their own opinions on this touting everything from Pure Vit E, Coco butter, to Aloe Vera, etc but most have minimal benefit other than keeping the scar hydrated. Although hydration is important there are better, scientifically studied products with greater efficacy. Most of the scientific articles written about this subject indicate that topical silicone gel or silicone sheets work the best. The best product available in my opinion is the Embrace Scar Therapy System by Neodyne BioSciences, Inc. available in many surgeons’ offices. Essentially this is an adherent silicone sheeting pre-stretched when applied so as to offload tension on the scar. For areas that are not applicable for this product (e.g. smaller areas or on the face), I prefer BioCorneum or Kelo-Cote products There are a lot of products to choose from, but silicone should be one of the key ingredients. Although Mederma, an onion extract derivative active ingredient rather than mainly silicone based may help, primarily silicone based products are better and many also contain other ingredients that may be synergistic (hydrocortisone or other steroid, Vitamin E, Sunscreen, etc).. If the reader has problems obtaining these they can call my office. Patient compliance is also critical – use often and according to directions or it will not work optimally. NEVER apply products without first discussing them with your surgeon.Monitor to make sure your scar is progressing optimally. Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to verify that your scars are maturing as expected. Occasionally if indicated you may need a topical steroid preparation or even a series of injections (5-FU and/or Steroids) or laser treatments to treat or prevent scar hypertrophy or keloid formation (red raised scars), or other topical medicines to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown scars) with prescription creams and possible laser treatments.

The anchor incision is
frequently utilized for the treatment of breast sag. This incision is
especially helpful when patients have severe sag. This surgical approach
removes excess skin in both the vertical and transverse dimensions. It also
elevates the nipple areola complexes into normal position. In addition, the
procedure is versatile. Both breast augmentation and breast reduction can be
performed through this approach.

 

         The procedure
results in a circular incision that’s located at the border of the areola with
the surrounding tissue. This is connected to a vertical extension that ends
with a transverse incision that’s hidden in the inframammary fold area.

 

         In most cases,
scarring from this procedure is acceptable. The lack of significant scarring
with this procedure is probably related to redistribution of tension on the
surgical closure. In addition, the scars are often well hidden with this
approach. The periareolar scar is hidden at the junction of two differently
colored tissues. The transverse incision is hidden in the inframammary fold
region. The vertical incision isn’t hidden, but this doesn’t represent a
problem in most cases.

 

         The vast majority of
anchor incisions heal nicely and patients are generally happy with their
results. Occasionally, adverse scarring does occur and scar revisions are
necessary, but this is fortunately rare. 

Dear Patty, The technique for Breast Lifting depends on your starting breast shape/size and the change in shape you are seeking. This may include an implant, incision around the Areola, a vertical incision, and a horizontal incision under the breast.
The scar generally heals with a resulting thin line- but this can be variable. There are various post operative protocols advocated to reduce the visible scar. If the scar matures nicely then it will be soft- and not much different than the breast skin surrounding.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD