Can Botox prevent wound dehiscence after breast lift?

Question

I want to get a lollipop breast lift but my areola contracts and gets smaller when exposed to stimuli like cold weather or when touched, I am scared this will happen after surgery and may cause the wound incisions to separate. Is this possible? And what do doctors do to prevent this during the healing process?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sensible57165,
Botox will affect muscle activity but won't prevent wound dehiscence. 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

After breast lift surgery, the circumareola incision is usually closed with PDS sutures, which takes 6 months to dissolve and provide mechanical stability for a long period of time. Usually dehiscence does not occur. Botox would not be helpful in this case.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The contraction of the areolae after surgery is not a big enough movement to cause problems. Yes, Botox can be placed there, but there really is no need to do so.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

What you describe is not a known reason for complications, and I don’t think injecting Botox into your areola is going to change your outcome.
There are generally two variables that determine the outcome of most plastic surgical procedures. The first is the patient’s candidacy for the procedure and the second is who does the operation.
I suggest focusing on those two variables, since they are the ones that make a difference. 
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Can Botox prevent wound dehiscence after breast lift?

Answers (4)

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