Will BA make my biopsy "dimple" worse? (Photo)

Question

I had a BA scheduled, had to delay it because of calcifications on my mammogram. I had a needle biopsy, which found benign fibrocystic changes. So, I've resceduled my BA for 6 weeks after the biopsy as my surgeon recommended. Now - 10 days after the biopsy - I have a noticeable dimple/dent in the lower part of my breast, and a palpable knot of scar tissue. I'm worried the dent and the lump will be very noticeable after my BA. How will a BA affect this, and is it worth correcting? How?

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Actually Putting in a breast implant will help stretch out the breast tissue possibly making the dimple look better! Make sure you discuss that concern with your plastic surgeon before surgery and get his honest opinion! Best of luck!Dhaval M PatelDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHoffman EstatesChicago Oakbrook Orland Park

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

The implant will provide outward force on your skin and hopefully improve the biopsy site.  If not you might consider fat transfer as a reconstructive option

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Julie, I appreciate your concern, but I think that the implants will actually help camouflage the area and overall improve the shape of your breasts. Discuss your concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Frank P. Albino, MD · Answer

Excellent question.  In my opinion, the breast augmentation should not make the post biopsy defect worse.  In fact, there is a good evidence to support that a breast implant will improve the contour deformity.  I recommend that you discuss these concerns with your plastic surgeon to ensure he or she feels the same.  Of note, it is important to ensure that your breast biopsy results are negative for any atypia or malignancy prior to breast augmentation. Not everyone is a good candidate for this treatment so please see a Board Certified or Board Eligible Plastic Surgeon to evaluate if you may benefit. Good luck!
  
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare professional.  You should always seek the advice of your physician or healthcare professional for any questions you have about your own medical condition.

Terence Michael Myckatyn, MD · Answer

There is no clear answer to this question unfortunately. In general, you should delay surgery until the dimple has fully softened and stopped changing. As you can see for yourself, the biopsy site can change over time. For most procedures we recommend waiting for 3 months for things to soften and settle but every case is different and its more about how the tissue is changing and how it feels rather than a particular time. I would recommend that you be re-examined prior to your procedure to make sure things have fully settled. Breast augmentation doesn't typically fix dimples. The dimple is a very discrete area whereas the implant augments the breast generally. The implant may "pop out" the dimple a little bit but I dont think you can count on this. Fat grafting after the dimple settles may be a better option for a particular dimple correction.

Gustavo E. Galante, MD · Answer

This sometimes occurs after a breast biopsy. It should be able to be corrected at the time of your breast augmentation, but the tissues need to be soft and pliable to work with them. Check with your plastic surgeon to see when he or she feels the scar and the area has softened enough to proceed with surgery.

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

It should be easy to make that better.  It still looks bruused.  I would let that heal until all the bruising is gone before  you go in for a consultation.  I would be happy to see you for this.  Dr. Boschert

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Actually implant will help to stretch and improve the dimple. Please talk to your PS and express your concerns.

Eric YK Li, MD · Answer

Two ways you can approach this.
1. Wait 3-6 months until you pursue your breast augmentation.  This will allow the scarring from your needle biopsy to settle, and the dent may disappear as well.  If it does not, then your surgeon can release your (now more mature) scar tissue in that area along with your breast augmentation.
2. Have your breast augmentation as originally planned, but accept that if the identation does not improve or worsen, you may need a small revision surgery to release scar tissues in the future.  While it's possible to try to deal with the indentation now, it might not be necessary and it does not guarantee that the scar will not reform and cause a deformity after your augmentation.
Hope this helps!

Abdulla Fakhro, MD, FACS · Answer

Ms Jubie79, Sorry to hear about what's been going on, your concerns governing your post operative appearance are very well founded. My suggestion is to wait a little, let the inflammation subside. If this was pressing and you needed immediate surgery i would wait for about 6 weeks but this is an elective case. So take your time if you can, it is important that your biopsy is benign, and your breast surgeon has given you an OK for the breast augmentation surgery.
Once all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed, you can undergo a breast augmentation that way the swelling will have settled and your breast skin and tissue has returned to normal.  I personally would wait a couple of months up to 6 months in some extreme cases. 
Hope this helps
A Fakhro, MD
This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion.The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional.

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