Stretch marks after breast augmentation (Photo)

Question

Hello! I am a little over 3 months post op. I was a full B cup before. I got 450cc saline. The right boob was filed to 550 and the left to 520. After the first month I started noticing the veiny lines. And I have been putting oil for stretch marks ever since. I’m just very sad about it and truthfully embarrassed. Will they go away eventually? I just don’t know what to do. I added some before and after pictures. And one before getting stretch marks!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear nayelijovel,your stretch marks are probably caused by the size of your implants. It is unlikely that they will withdraw or become unvisible.  I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,You and your surgeon made less than ideal choices: periareolar incisions, implants too large for your soft tissue envelope, and saline implants that are way, way over filled. This is wreaking havoc on your tissues, leading to unpredictable expansion and thinning, and skin striae (stretchmarks). There is nothing you can do to make your striae go away; they are permanent.  They will lighten on their own or there are treatments that may hasten the process.  Regardless, you can't undue them, but you can prevent further destruction of your breast tissue by having a revision surgery to put in smaller, more tissue friendly implants (lower profile, silicone gel), which will age much better. If your surgeon isn't an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in revision breast surgery, you should visit a few who are. Best of luck!

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Stretch marks after breast augmentation are more common in patients seeking very large changes, as the abrupt increase in tension on the skin can cause microtears in the skin layers. This is not really reversible, but the pinkness usually goes away in time. This is not that dissimilar to the effects of pregnancy in some women who develop significant stretch marks from the distention of their natural breast tissue as the breast gains weight and prepares for lactation. Overfilled implants that might be large for your body frame may be more likely to cause these lines, but the reality is that if you wanted that size and shape and your surgeon delivered it, that does not mean any error in judgment was made. It's a tradeoff. Periareolar incisions are not responsible for the stretch marks, through they may increase the risk of capsular contracture according to more recent data. Saline vs. silicone is likely only a factor in that saline implants have a firmer overall feel and may hold the stretch in the upper pole longer, resulting in that rounder upper breast shape that you have. If this was your desired shape and size, then the only real issue here is the stretch marks. Unfortunately, even with removal and replacement, they won't go away. Downsizing and/or switching to silicone could give you a softer feel, and place less long term stretch on your tissues for lower risk of bottoming out and skin stretch, so there is certainly good rationale for considering implant revision. Time and moisturizers to the skin may help make the pinkness fade, so be patient.

Gregory Park, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

With rapid expansion after breast augmentation, especially with the use of large implants, stretch marks can develop. Your implants have maxed out the tensile strength of your skin, which has weakened the and stretched the dermis of the skin. Unfortunately, once stretch marks occur, they will not go away. Thanks for your question. Best wishes.

Stretch marks after breast augmentation (Photo)

Answers (4)

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