1 year after breast lift - what can I do to minimize painful and sensitive raised scars? (photos)

Question

Hello I had a breast lift nearly a year now and I’ve visited the surgeon and they keep telling me to put scar gel on the bumps around my arieola - it’s not working, they are extremely painful, hard to touch and really sensitive to certain types of fabrics…I don’t know what to do…will this get better, they just look so unnatural! And I’m starting to regret this breast lift!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Donald Groves, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It appears you have unfortunately developed hypertrophic scars around your areola, resulting in the appearance and symptoms you've noted. I would recommend a revision procedure to address this- this can even be done in the office under local. I hope this helps!
Best,
Dr. Donald Groves
Plastic Surgeon

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

The lift procedure you had puts tension on the closure of the areola.  At this time, you can undergo a scar revision and there will be less tension at this time.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

You have hypertrophic scars around your areola. They will not likely get better overtime. The most minimally invasive treatment to attempt is a steroid injection to see if you can get the scars to settle, be flatter and stop itching. A more invasive option would be to excise the present scars, and then immediately treat the new incision with solid silicone sheeting (not silicone gel), used at all times unless you are showering.  This treatment would be required to continue for many months to see if the hypertrophic scars can be suppressed.  Best wishes.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Optimistic649285,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

1 year after breast lift - what can I do to minimize painful and sensitive raised scars? (photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Hypertrophic scars.

Answer: Hypertrophic scars.

Answer: Painful and sensitive raised scars

Answer: Painful and sensitive raised scars

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

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1 year after breast lift - what can I do to minimize painful and sensitive raised scars? (photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Hypertrophic scars.

Answer: Hypertrophic scars.

Answer: Painful and sensitive raised scars

Answer: Painful and sensitive raised scars

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

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