Autoimmune Suppressed & Prone to Keloid Scars. Can I Have a Breast Lift? (Photo)

Dear billiebob33,
for scars, I close all of my incisions in 5 layers and do not use absorbable sutures because they cause inflammation and worse scarring. I tape all of my incisions in the office visits once a week for six weeks after surgery to improve the appearance. After taping, I start my patients on a scar gel therapy for 3 months that they have to put on their incisions twice daily.You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon as different surgeons have different approaches in scar management.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your questions. With regards to scarring, it is important to determine if the scars that you have previously are infact keloid, hypertrophic, or problematic for another reason. There are many ways that we can optimise scars post-op - minimising tension on the wounds, taping, and later down the line massage, moisturisation and scar therapy.
For your prednisolone & azathioprine - ideally these would be suspended for your surgery and we could liaise wih your medical team that prescribes these about how long it would be safe to stop them for.
Based on your images, you would likely get an excellent outcome following an uplift procedure preserving your breast tissue (if you wish to maintain volume). I would recommend seeing a plastic surgeon who specialises in aesthetic breast surgery.

Hello,
Thank you for your enquiry. The photographic information is very helpful.
With immunosuppression and a tendency to develop Keloid scars, you are at an increased complication risk. So I would think carefully about surgery.
Regarding your immunosuppression it would be advisable to wait for 3 months after the medication has stopped if that is possible.
Regarding your keloids, I would make sure that they are really keloids. Many patients who give a history of keloids have in fact hypertrophic scars which can be managed better. They also usually settle on their own within 18 months. Thick scars can be managed with steroid injections or radiotherapy after surgery.
I would suggest to confirm this with your surgeon.

Good afternoon,
I do not think your medical condition rules you out for surgery- I would simply request written medical clearance from your primary care physician along with whatever recommendations they would make regarding your medication regimen before and after surgery. In terms of how to avoid bad scars- well the answer is simple- good surgery technique!

Just based on your photos, you have plenty of breast tissue and just need a lift. Your medical doctor will be the one to see if your are stable enough for an elective surgery. Please ask him/her this question. also, there are things that can be done to help minimize keloid formation after surgery. Please discuss this with the plastic surgeon your choose.