Women with drooping breasts can undergo a breast lift (mastopexy), which helps reduce sagging and help achieve a perkier bustline. Dr. Tracy E. McCall has helped numerous women in and around Waukesha, WI thanks to breast lift surgery.
We receive a lot of questions about scarring after breast lift and what to expect. Let’s go over the different incision techniques used and then discuss some basic concerns about post-surgical scarring.
Traditional Breast Lift Incision Technique
During a traditional breast lift, the following incision are made:
- A circular incision around the areola
- An incision along the crease where the chest meets the bottom of the breast
- A vertical incision connecting the previously listed incisions
Through this anchor-shaped incision, excess skin and tissue can be removed to achieve perkier, firmer, and better contoured breasts.
Other Breast Lift Incision Methods
In addition to the traditional breast lift incision, there are variants that may be used. These variant breast lift techniques include:
- The Lollipop Breast Lift – The lollipop breast lift consists of an incision around the areola and a vertical incision extending down to the bottom of the breast.
- The Donut Breast Lift – The donut breast lift involves a circular incision around the areola.
- The Crescent Breast Lift – The crescent breast lift consists of a partial incision along an arc of the areola.
These alternate breast lift methods are ideal for women who need just a little bit of cometic revision to remedy their problems with drooping and sagging.
How Visible Are Breast Lift Scars?
Breast lift scars are usually well-hidden by most tops, bathing suits, and undergarments. Our Waukesha plastic surgery team makes all efforts to ensure minimal scarring, which is why we focus on pre-planning, good surgical technique, and patient education with regard to proper aftercare.
Preventing Serious Scarring During the Initial Consultation
Some women may be prone to serious scarring because of their genes. Keloid scars and other kinds of unsightly, upraised scars can be a major cosmetic problem following surgery.
If you have a history of poor scarring, this can be discussed during the pre-op consultation. Knowing your history with scar tissue will help us modify the surgical technique to minimize visible scarring.
Post-Op Care to Prevent Major Scarring
After undergoing a breast lift, proper recovery is essential to minimize scarring. That’s why it’s so important to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous physical activity, tobacco products, and alcohol after surgery. Patients should focus on rest and wear their surgical bra to ensure the speediest recovery possible.
We can go over post-op care in more detail during your consultation.
Long-Term Scar Fading
Scars take time to fade, but patients should notice significant improvements a few months after surgery. By then the skin will have fully healed and begin the process of fading. The scar around the areola should be well concealed overall thanks to the difference in pigment. As the years go by, the scars from breast lift surgery should become less and less of an issue.
What If My Breast Lift Scars Do Not Improve?
If you develop bad scars after breast lift surgery, we can examine the issue and offer insight into the ideal treatment option. There are over-the-counter scar therapy products that could help minimize the severity of scar tissue. Professional scar revision treatment is also available if needed.
