18 months post op and surgery scar is red, raised and painful - could this be an infection? (photos)

Question

Hi doctors! First of all thank you so much for spending your time to reply to me. I had my breast augmented on June 2023. It is now Nov 2024, so it has been almost 1.5 years post surgery. I have noticed that my scar for one side looks really red and raised. Is it infected ? It doesn't look normal to me. It kind of hurts when I press on it. I will be making an appointment with my plastic surgeon, but thought I'd ask here first. Please advise. Thank you

Ramiro Morales, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and pictures.  From the look of it and without examining you this does not necessarily look like an infection but more so looks like it is probably a keloid scar.  However, you are very right to make an appt with your PS for an in-person exam and rule out infection.  If it is indeed a keloid, then this can likely be resolved with an injection of Kenalog steroid mixed with 5-FU.

Thu-Hoai Cecelia Nguyen, MD · Answer

Hello c520! It appears that your scar has become hypertrophic meaning that you have developed excess collagen. This can make them red, firm and itchy. It can be uncomfortable if your bra is also rubbing you there. Steroid injections are generally the first line of therapy to help reduce the scar. I would discuss with your surgeon. I hope this helps!

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello
A hypertrophic scar has developed. I recommend the use of laser treatment and silicone sheets. Typically, the swelling and redness decrease, and they can even completely disappear.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your photos and question.  You may be developing a hyper trophic or keloid scar.  This can often be red, raised and cause discomfort.  There are a few things you can do to help minimize this, one being steroid injections and massage.  Microneedling is an option too or just a scar revision. Best of luck at your follow up appt.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear c520,
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.
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Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, it does not appear to be an infection.  You have developed keloid scars that could improve with steroid of 5FU injections from your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck!

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Hi.  You have a hypertrophic scar.  It should get better with a steroid injection.  If that doesn't help, then there are other options too, but I would start with steroids.  Talk to your plastic surgeon about this and hopefully it will get better very soon!

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

You are definitely doing the right thing, going back to your plastic surgeon.  Is this redness new?  It is impossible to say without and evaluation, but it seems you may have a hypertrophic or overgrown scar, which may get better on its own or can be managed or improved in a variety of simple ways.  You will will probably get a lot of information from your plastic surgeon.  Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Thanks for the photos. It appears that you have developed a hypertrophic scar. The good news is that it is not an infection and the fix would be to cut the scar out and re-suture again with injection of steroids to help prevent this from happening again.

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You have a hypertrophic scar, not an infected scar and this can be treated with Kenalog injections. Please go back to your surgeon.

18 months post op and surgery scar is red, raised and painful - could this be an infection? (photos)

Answers (14)

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