7 months post op Breast lift I've been left with thick and painful scarring. How did this happen and what can I do now? (photos)

It is very unfortunate that you have ended up with wound healing problems after your surgery. This can happen in patients who smoke and I do not do this procedure in these patients. I hope that you do not smoke, but if you do, you need to stop to help the wounds heal fully. It does appear that you are have developed hypertrophic scars. These need to be treated with steroid injections / silicone gel to help soften them. Please see your plastic surgeon about it.

Hello, and thank you for your questions and your photos. It looks like you had developed a postoperative infection and a wound dehiscence that was allowed to heal secondarily. You may certainly be able to have a secondary scar or mastopexy revision once the scars have fully matured. We have also recommended silicone scar creams and also both topical and intralesional cortisone injections for some of our patients postoperatively. I would recommend that you discuss all of this with your treating physician. Allow the scars to fully mature since they had just recently healed over. We will  generally  want to wait approximately 6-12 months for the scars to mature and in many instances they will also contract and improve.best of luck.

For now, you need to avoid any tanning, use scar products like Mederma or Scar Guard, and let your tissue continue to heal. Please continue to follow up with your surgeon. Once healed, your scars can be revised.

At this stage the scars need to settle and mature.  Using a new cream, Solution for Scars, can help with the thickness and discomfort.  Once settled revision can be considered.

It's been approximately 7 months since your breast lift and, therefore, I would expect your scars to continue to mature and improve over the next several months. I would expect the vertical scar to fade and soften. The periareolar scar may not change or improve as much. There would be no significant change in breast shape. Alternatively, you may wish to consider a scar revision which may result in narrowing and improvement of both the periareolar and the vertical scar as well as adjustments in areolar size, areolar position and breast shape. I might prefer this option.  

This is of course very distressing for you, and any patient who has difficulties with wound healing after surgery. There are many factors that can contribute to this, which can be related to patient risk factors and/or surgical technique. Many times we unfortunately don't really know why a certain person did not heal as well as another. It sounds like you have done well in sticking out the healing process thus far, and the good news is that the scar likely can be revised nicely. Time allows the tissues to soften and stretch out, making it easier make necessary adjustments. It is important to maintain clear communication with your surgeon regarding the options for revising the scar and the timing for doing so. I suspect in the end you will have a nice result, although it may have taken longer than expected to get there.