I have a gape from where my incision split open around my areola 2 weeks post breast aug. Its growing a lot and Now it's ab. the size of a silver dollar. The Gape is the same size as my nipple. In 1 week it multiplied in size. It's not infected. I didn't have a lot of tissue to work w/ and this is the result of that. Could this have been avoided? I was getting it dressed 2x a week but was switched to twice a day. How long will the healing take? Is this serious? What outcome can I expect?
April 14, 2015
Answer: Wound issue If you have a permanent suture around the border of the areola and it is exposed, you might need to have it removed. If there is no permanent suture present, then it will likely heal on its own with good care.
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April 14, 2015
Answer: Wound issue If you have a permanent suture around the border of the areola and it is exposed, you might need to have it removed. If there is no permanent suture present, then it will likely heal on its own with good care.
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November 9, 2021
Answer: Post-op partial dehiscence Based on your photographs, it appears that you underwent augmentation-mastopexy (breast lift plus implants) and developed a partial dehiscence (wound partially opened up). A dehiscence may occur following this type of surgery given that the implant and breast lift create opposing changes with respect to the skin envelope. The breast lift results in skin tightening whereas the implant stretches the skin envelope by adding volume. The implant places additional tension on the wound closure, which is tighter to begin with since skin has been removed through the lift.A small dehiscence alone should continue to heal secondarily (without further surgery) as the edges contract and healing occurs from the wound base. Based on wound size as shown in your photographs, I would estimate that healing should be complete within 1-2 weeks and you should follow up with your surgeon in the interim to ensure additional complications do not develop (infection or implant exposure in particular). In terms of outcome, final scar maturation occurs by one year post-operatively. Small dehiscences generally heal well and often do not require further surgery. If the final scar is slightly wider in that region and bothers you, your surgeon may suggest a small scar revision in the future after clinically examining your scar appearance and quality.Best, Stephanie Power MD, MSc, FRCSC
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November 9, 2021
Answer: Post-op partial dehiscence Based on your photographs, it appears that you underwent augmentation-mastopexy (breast lift plus implants) and developed a partial dehiscence (wound partially opened up). A dehiscence may occur following this type of surgery given that the implant and breast lift create opposing changes with respect to the skin envelope. The breast lift results in skin tightening whereas the implant stretches the skin envelope by adding volume. The implant places additional tension on the wound closure, which is tighter to begin with since skin has been removed through the lift.A small dehiscence alone should continue to heal secondarily (without further surgery) as the edges contract and healing occurs from the wound base. Based on wound size as shown in your photographs, I would estimate that healing should be complete within 1-2 weeks and you should follow up with your surgeon in the interim to ensure additional complications do not develop (infection or implant exposure in particular). In terms of outcome, final scar maturation occurs by one year post-operatively. Small dehiscences generally heal well and often do not require further surgery. If the final scar is slightly wider in that region and bothers you, your surgeon may suggest a small scar revision in the future after clinically examining your scar appearance and quality.Best, Stephanie Power MD, MSc, FRCSC
Helpful 3 people found this helpful