I have developed an open sore under my left breast that continues to open at the scar line? (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

After a breast reduction, it is not unusual for certain spots to take longer to heal - these are often referred to as the "t-junctions" along the vertical scar at the top near the areola and at the bottom near the base of the breast.  Because of the nature of these spots - you have three different sections of skin that need to seal together - some patients can develop small wounds that will eventually heal with care and attention.So as your plastic surgeon advised, your sore may get a little bigger and look a little worse before it gets better - very typical for these types of wounds.  I often tell my patients to keep their wounds slightly moist (either with a saline wet-to-dry dressing or antibiotic ointment), pad over with some gauze to prevent irritation from the bra, and wear some good support to help take tension off the healing skin.  Be sure to check in with your own surgeon about his preferences regarding the bra.Hope this helps reassure you, and best of luck during your healing and recovery - Dr. Lim

Thanks for your inquiry,  your surgeon is right that sometimes these wounds get worse before they get better.  My only suggestion is ask your surgeon about adding muciporin ointment so it won't stick or a silver dressing.  This may slightly speed up the process and good luck.