Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

Question

Hello RealSelf physicians! I am 6 months post op from my BAM (breast augmentation mastopexy) and I was hoping by now I would love it, but the scars the procedure has left me with kinda kill the small joy I feel about having perky round aesthetically pleasing breasts. Especially, my right nipple as there is no clear margin between my areola and my scar, so it appears I have a 2” long (vertical) nipple. Is this something that can be corrected with a scar revision, or would that create MORE scars??

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and pictures. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I am guessing from the appearance that you had some issues with wound healing from surgery? Probably a combination of implants and the lift provided too much tension on the incisions and led to some open wounds? Either way you are now left with some widened scars. The answer to your question is yes, they are fixable, but the best piece of advice I can give you is WAIT! If the wounds only recently healed, there is so much more internal healing, remodeling, and shaping of scar tissue to be done and things are going to settle and soften with time. The skin laxity that develops is going to be what allows you to have a scar revision without tension which will avoid having the same problem all over again. My suggestion is to see a local plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for a consultation but to wait a minimum of 12 months from surgery before even considering any type of revision procedure.

Hope this helps!

Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Based on the images provided, it seems your scars are not done fully healing. Give it about a year or so to see the fully healed scars. From there next steps can be taken. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear SarahGrace1016,
for scars, I close all of my incisions in 5 layers and do not use absorbable sutures because they cause inflammation and worse scarring. I tape all of my incisions in the office visits once a week for six weeks after surgery to improve the appearance. After taping, I start my patients on a scar gel therapy for 3 months that they have to put on their incisions twice daily.You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon as different surgeons have different approaches in scar management.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  You will be able to have a scar revision to improve upon your areola asymmetry and correct some of the widening created by the delayed wound healing. I would wait at least a year after your wounds have healed.  Best wishes.

Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

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Answer: Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

Answer: Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

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Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

Answers (6)

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Answer: Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

Answer: Breast Augmentation Mastopexy scar revision - options? (photos)

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