Breast lift done twice! Scarring is terrible and My breast make noise and ripple, what are my options to correct this? (photo)

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

Hi Taylinnevaeh14,

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.

I understand you are concerned with the appearance of your scars. As your scars heal, it should flatten out and lighten. Loss of pigmentation may also be experienced but will resolve over time. Always follow your surgeon's post operative care instructions when it comes to scar management to avoid any complications like infection and for faster healing and recovery.

If you are concerned, you should visit your plastic surgeon for assessment and to discuss your concerns, as different surgeons have different approaches in scar management. Your surgeon can also advice you of new innovations that can help with managing and improving the appearance of scars like lasers and other scar treatment modalities.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Although your scars are visible, I wouldn't necessarily describe them as 'horrible'. It's difficult to determine whether further surgery would improve the appearance of your scars - sometimes, proper management with silicone gel or laser can improve the appearance of the scars.

Thanks for the extensive photos. However, without providing more information about your situation AND a physical examination, it is impossible to make precise and appropriate recommendations for you. You would be best served by consulting with a few reputable board certified plastic surgeons and then decide what makes the most sense for you.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

There is no such thing as having no scars with breast lift surgery. Your actual incision scars look good and normal. Darker skinned patients get darker scars in many cases, and there may be some ways to lighten the pigmentation. Revising the lift with implants (it sounds like you do not have implants now?) may help you fill out the skin envelope better. Usually rippling is associated with implants in thinner patients or when implants are placed above muscle, or with saline implants. Can you clarify as to whether you already have implants? If so, repositioning to a deeper plane or adding fat grafting to hide the rippling may help. You need to be examined in the office by a board-certified plastic surgeon to review your options. Above all, you need to be realistic in NOT expecting "scarless" breasts.