Best way to prevent bad scarring after anchor breast lift and implants?

Question

I will be having an anchor style breast lift and implants placed in January. What are the best ways to remedy the scars? Do you have any opinions or suggestions on what to do prior to surgery as well as after?

Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi srarmstrong86.  In general, the scars that are underneath the breasts tend to be more noticeable than the vertical scars or the scars around the areola, regardless of the surgeon, because anatomically the infra-mammary fold is a zone of adherence in the body.  The vertical breast lift method doesn't use the full anchor, specifically the scar underneath the breast is not created.  Depending upon the degree of sagging, you may be a candidate for this-talk to your PS.  Your surgeon will consider that using less reactive sutures can help, and having less tension on the closure (for example, by using barbed sutures) can help.  If you have a tendency towards hypertrophic or keloids, then steroid injections will be helpful.  Not smoking will ensure that you have a robust blood supply to help healing in general.  Topical medical grade silicone application (gels, pads, liquid) are all useful.  Months later you may consider laser treatments to diminish the color and/or microneedling to help with crepe-ness.  It is important to give the scars about a year to fully mature-become flat, soft, skin colored, non-tender, thin, etc.  Best wishes,

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

A #mastopexy or breast lift operation is designed to improve the shape and position of the breasts without reducing their size. It is used for #breasts which sag or droop (ptosis). Sagging of the breasts may occur with normal development for some women, or as part of the aging process. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and weight loss are other conditions which increase breast ptosis. Some patients will have a better shape to their breast such as increased superior fullness if an #implant is used at the time of mastopexy. This is called an #Augmentation/Mastopexy. The procedure can also be combined with a minor breast reduction to reduce the breast width if desired. The surgery will create an elevated, more youthful breast contour. Also, the procedure will create nipple and areolae of the desired size and at the correct height.  #FatGrafting is another option to using #breastimplants and requires a small amount of liposuction to obtain the fat which is the prepared and transferred to the breast.  A hybrid operation may use both an implant and fat to provide the best contours of the lifted breast.I prefer to use a #shortscar technique, #LollipopScar or #DonutLift” rather than the majority of surgeons in the United States that use an anchor pattern lift which involve more significant scarring.

Ira H. Rex lll, MD · Answer

Surprisingly, there aren't that many interventions to improve scars. It has been shown that taping incisions for about six weeks can minimize scarring. A silicone-based product applied to the scar has also been shown to work. I prefer a product called Biocorneum which has the best scientific studies to show its effectiveness. This is used for about three months. Check with your plastic surgeon about their preference.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Every surgeon has their own scar management protocol.  I always have my patients on biocornyium post-op.  A breast lift with implants can be designed to result in an
improved shape and contour of your breasts while minimizing scar
appearance.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and evaluate their results.  
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Scott Chapin, MD, FACS · Answer

The best way to prevent bad scarring in this procedure is to find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who knows how to design and perform this procedure so that there will be minimal tension on your scars.  All the scar cream in the world will not prevent bad scarring from a poorly designed [ie too tight] lift.  I would recommend you study each particular Plastic Surgeon’s lift photos carefully.  Ask for multiple photos of patients with lifts at the consultation as well.

Best way to prevent bad scarring after anchor breast lift and implants?

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Answer: Scar optimization

Answer: Scar optimization

Answer: From Chapin Aesthetics

Answer: From Chapin Aesthetics

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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Best way to prevent bad scarring after anchor breast lift and implants?

Answers (8)

Answer: Scar optimization

Answer: Scar optimization

Answer: From Chapin Aesthetics

Answer: From Chapin Aesthetics

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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