Aftercare for trans-axillary incision? What to expect?

Question

How do you care for the incision after surgery? Keeping it dry, deodorant/no deodorant, shaving, keeping it clean? I will be sure to clarify with my doctor but just wondering how it's going for those who have experienced it personally. Getting kinda worried about no deodorant since its 88 degrees here right now. :/

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

As I am sure you have discovered, every plastic surgeon has his or her own regiment for treating almost everything.  Rather than attempting to give you a consensus opinion which I don't know anyway, I will tell you how I handle the post operative transaxillary breast augmentation incisions.I learned to do the transaxillary breast augmentation incision in the 1990's and have done over 3,000 such incisions.  1.  I don't believe in antibiotic ointments as in my experience, the ointments or the fingers that put them on lead to infections.2.  All my sutures are out in 5 days.3.  Anti scar creams of any nature are of no value since this incision is made in Langer's lines, and therefore there is minimal to no scarring.  4.  Once drains are out, I believe the best treatment for incisions in the armpits is soap and water.  You can shower the day after surgery.5.  Shaving armpit hair can commence once all sutures are out (after the 5th day).6.  Deodorants may be placed in the armpit as often as desired once sutures are out (after the 5th day).7.  Arm movements above shoulders or wherever will not stretch out the scars in this area, and may begin as soon as the 1st day after surgery.Transaxillary breast augmentations are the least scarring, the least infected, and the least visible of all routes of entry for breast augmentations.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello, Thank you for your question. I'd recommend speaking with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for their post-operative care recommendations. All the best.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Your #boardcertified plastic surgeon should provide you with post #surgery instructions. You may shower three days after surgery.  Most sutures dissolve on their own within a few weeks.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Your surgeon's office should have a full post op packet for you with detailed instructions. Don't worry about the deodorant as your activity level will be down for the first couple of weeks post op anyway. Good luck with your surgery --My best,
Dr. Sheila Nazarian
@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

There is no special care or topical ointment/dressings that i use on my patients after transaxillary breast augmentation. They may resume wearing deodorants and shaving ten days after the surgery.

Aftercare for trans-axillary incision? What to expect?

Answers (5)

Answer: Incision care

Answer: Incision care

Answer: Transaxillary Breast Augmentation

Answer: Transaxillary Breast Augmentation

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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

Aftercare for trans-axillary incision? What to expect?

Answers (5)

Answer: Incision care

Answer: Incision care

Answer: Transaxillary Breast Augmentation

Answer: Transaxillary Breast Augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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