I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it? (photos)

Question

In 2009 I had a breast reduction with a well known Dr. in North Alabama. I have a really ugly scar under my right breast where the W came together, but busted open 3 days after surgery, which my surgeon said he had never had happen before. Other than the scar that sometimes has black in it which is under my breast and the dog ears, my scars look pretty good. But I was wondering if the hollowness and dog ears is normal.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You have healed well and have a nice result considering you had some skin necrosis.  the lateral dog ears are small and can easily be removed. Discucss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

James D. Frost, MD · Answer

I hope that you had improvement in your discomfort from your breast reduction.I would call what you have very minor dog ears.  It appears from the photos that you had extra tissue that extended from the side of your breasts toward your back.   That is common and is generally seen in women (and men) who are carrying some extra weight.  You have mostly that extra tissue and in addition to that having minor dog ears.  It can be very challenging to get the breast to blend exactly into the side tissue but it appears that your surgeon did a good job.If you want that extra tissue removed, it could be done but it is not a part of a normal breast reduction.  The scars would extend further onto your sides and back to remove the remaining extra skin.I hope that answers your question.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your questions and photographs.  I am glad to hear that you have healed well after your incision separation and I agree that your scars have turned out pretty good.  A very important distinction should have been made during your surgeon's consultation that a woman's breasts ends at about the level of where your chest muscle enters your armpit.  Anything further towards the side of your chest is not breast tissue and is not addressed during a breast reduction unless discussed with your surgeon.  Your scars do not have dog ears, but I see your areas of concern.  These can be improved with diet and exercise and then refined with either liposuction or additional skin removal.  Hope this helps.

Michael Hueneke, MD (retired) · Answer

I think you results are pretty good and the dog ears are minor in nature. It would be a simple procedure to improve them as well as the scar. Your surgeon should be able to do that for you.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is common after breast reduction to have dogears because the surgeon has to stop the breast incision at the side of the breast.  However the dogears that she show can be revised with a fairly simple procedure.

I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it? (photos)

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Answer: I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it?

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I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Dog ears

Answer: Dog ears

Answer: I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it?

Answer: I have really bad "dog ears" that I was told was normal. Is it?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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