Scar Tissue After a Breast Lift. I have heard that massaging may help soften the tissue, I don't know what to do.

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 Samantha,

If I'm reading your question correctly, the 'scar tissue inside' your breasts are  the capsules left behind from having implants. I'm also assuming that you did not have your implants replaced-right? If this is so, it is not uncommon to leave that capsule behind after implant removal. I am willing to guess that your surgeon might have used those capsules to help reposition your breast mound when he performed your lift. In which case he is right not to massage. But if you only had a crescent lift, then I would not see the harm in massaging. Bottom line, follow what your surgeon recommended since he is the only one who knows what's going on. You don't want to take advice from a third party who doesn't know you, your surgical history or what procedure/technique your surgeon used. I really do hope this helps you. Kind regards Dr H

Hi there,
Without knowing a few more details about your case it is difficult to say for sure.  Your plastic surgeon does know about your case so I would imagine he/she has a reason for this recommendation. In most cases, I do typically recommend post-procedure massage to disperse excess fluid and promote circulation. It’s also particularly important to remember to wear the appropriate supportive undergarments and use a topical scar treatment to alleviate excess tension on your incisions and minimize the appearance of raised scars developing during healing.

Any surgery will produce scar tissue in the operated area, and this is also true of breast lift surgery. Changes occur over time which change the quality of the scar tissue, and as a result the scar usually softens over several months. Tissue massage and external ultrasound may be beneficial as scar therapy. However, you should follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations and discuss any treatment with him/her before proceeding.

Because your surgeon of record has "told" you no massages than you should follow that advise. I, personally, do not agree. I recommend lymphatic massages, external ultrasound therapy. 

I usually recommend massage to help the capsule (or scar tissue around the breast) stay soft or more to the point to stretch it so that the pocket is slightly larger than the implant thereby allowing the implant to move around.  If what you are feeling is just scar tissue under your actual incisions then you can expect that to soften over time on its own.  If you are referring to development of a hard capsule (firmness around the entire implant, limited motion and often asymmetry with the other side) then you need to massage and maybe even take medication for it.  This can also lead to more surgery but 2 months is too early to tell.  Good luck!

It takes time after surgery for things to heal. I do recommend massage to soften things up for my patients. Keep in close communication with your surgeon so that he/she may take you through the recovery process and address any concerns that may come up.