Do my scars look normal 4 months post-op breast lift and implant? (Photo)

HI,    Your scars are fine for where you are in the post -operative period. You might consult with your surgeon to try some scar creams and ointments, silicone sheeting and/or creams and even laser therapy to improve and hasten the healing. I cannot answer why one nipple get hard and the other doesn't. This may change over time, or not. You will have to be patient. Perhaps it might be a good idea for you to visit with your surgeon to discuss these issues.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Your scars will change up to 2 years after surgery.However, it does appear that you have some mild thickness of the scars. I would continue periodic follow up with your surgeon and get recommendations to treat the scars. If the scars persist over time, you might consider a scar revision and a series of steroid injections to decrease the possibility of thick scars.As far as the nipple is concerned, it is hard to make a judgement without seeing some photos from before surgery. Some women have flat nipples and others have larger nipples. Changes in sensation and nerve function to the nipple are uncommon risks. The majority of patients, >90%, have return of nerve/nipple function within six months.Good Luck and keep following up with your surgeon to get recommendations.

The color of scar healing can sometimes take one to two years. It is difficult to answer your concern other than often one breast is frequently different than the other to start and they stay slightly different when enhanced. Always a good idea when concerned to check with your surgeon.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

and implant... and it can even worsen still.  Most of us who have tried the Benelli's soon revert back to the other techniques due to the poor outcomes.  Yes, Benelli's are needed in very limited situations where a lift is needed and there is minimal lower pole tissue to tighten.  But Benelli's flatten projection, leave a palpable rim around the areola, and are notorious for poor scarring.  As for your nipple not getting erect, time may allow for that to recover but there isn't anything that can be done except watchful waiting.  As you can tell, I am not a fan of the Benelli lift.

Hi you have had a doughnut lift with an implant. Given that a doughnut lift attempts to reduce the excess skin only from a cut around the nipple there is always a gather around the stitches. This generally cases out. But given that besides the lift you have an implant the nipple scar is being stretched out. As with all cases wait 8 - 12  months to evaluate final result and have any scar revision. Please keep me posted on your progress warm regards Dr Prashant Murugkar Clinique Beaute Naturelle 

Congratulations on your surgery, and thank you for sharing your photos and concerns.Regarding your inquiry as to whether your scar looks "normal" for 4 months post-op, I would say "Yes," based on the technique that you had.  Upon reviewing your photos, it appears that you had a Peri-Areola Mastopexy, in which excess skin around the areola is removed and gathered, in an attempt to elevate the nipple and tighten the breast skin.  As a result of the gathering, the skin will first have a puckered appearance.  Depending on the size of the skin pleats or puckers (generally based on the amount of skin removed), a "star-burst" pattern in the skin may occur as the puckers begin to flatten.I personally am not a fan of this technique, except in specialized circumstances:  Besides the risk of the star-burst pattern, this technique is prone to a flattened appearance of the central breast, often has a higher risk of recurrent enlargement of the areola size, does not effectively "lift" or reshape the breast, and may place more tension on the incision that could result in more thickening and/or spreading of the scar.  However, this technique is a long-standing traditional technique and is favored by many.4 months is still early, and your scar likely will improve quite a bit over the ensuing months.  There are treatments, including silicone sheeting and massage, that your surgeon might be able to recommend to help optimize your results.  Regarding your concerns with the appearance of your right areola and the function of your nipples, it appears that you may have had a little tissue loss on the right, resulting in some irregularity of the color and of the contour.  This most likely was due to some localized reduction of the circulation in this area following your surgery and is not uncommon with any breast lift procedure.  In addition, the nerves to the nipples may be compromised, either temporarily or permanently to one or both breasts, following any type of breast surgery -- but at a higher risk with a breast lift.  This often improves with time.Best of luck to your, and I hope that you ultimately achieve the results that you were looking for!  Dr. Ghafoori