Scars After Breast Reduction Mammoplasty Surgery: Things To Know

Getting breast surgery is a big decision with long-lasting consequences. If you’re looking into breast reduction mammoplasty, you’ll need to think about breast reduction scars and what can affect their appearance.

Any surgical incision will always result in some amount of scarring, meaning breast reduction scars are normal and expected after this procedure. Before surgery, there are a few important things to know about scarring, such as the placement of scars, risks, and scar management. Read on to learn more about mammoplasty breast reduction scars and how you can manage them, or contact Valley Plastic Surgery in Brisbane.

What are breast reduction mammoplasty scars?

Breast reduction mammoplasty is a type of breast surgery that aims to reduce overly large breasts. During the surgery itself, the surgeon removes excess tissue from one or both of the breasts. This involves making incisions, which will leave the patient with scars. Understanding what kind of scars you may be left with after surgery is an important thing to think about and plan for.

An incision scar is usually a slim, raised area of skin where your wound has healed. It is your body’s natural response to an injury, where excess skin cells build up to close the wound. Several things can impact the appearance and management of scars, which we will discuss below.

What will my mammoplasty breast reduction scars look like?

The type of breast reduction mammoplasty scars you have will depend on your surgeon’s incision placement. It may also depend on other factors, such as the shape and symmetry of your breasts. If there is some degree of breast asymmetry, then you might expect also an asymmetry in scarring. You should discuss this during your consultation and make sure you understand where your incisions will be.

The most common incision (scar) placements for breast reduction mammoplasty include:

Lollypop incision

A lollypop incision is when the surgeon makes one incision around the areola and another down from the areola to the lower crease.

Anchor incision

An anchor incision is similar to the lollypop incision, except that there is an additional incision under the breast. There is the incision around the areola, down to the breast crease, and then horizontally beneath the breast.

Experienced plastic surgeons aim to be conscious of their patients’ concerns about scarring. They are able to place scars with care and provide you with aftercare advice to help your scars mature. However, aside from the surgeon’s skill and incision techniques, other factors can also play a part in the appearance of your scars.

The timeline of breast reduction mammoplasty scars

One factor to keep in mind when it comes to (mammoplasty) breast reduction scars is the timeline. Scars will not begin to mature until after the incisions have healed, which means a precursor to scar management is wound care. In other words, caring for your wounds properly can help your body develop scar tissue which should continue to resolve (but not disappear) over time.

First four to six weeks:

You will likely have dressings on your wounds for several weeks while your incision sites heal. Since they will be covered, you may not be able to see what your incisions look like. When you do see them, the scar will likely appear red and somewhat raised. In the following months, the scar will continue to heal, and you may notice the scar tissue begin to settle.

Six months after:

At this stage, your wounds should have healed, but the scars will still be fairly new. This means they may still be red or noticeably darker and more raised than the surrounding skin. Gradually, the scars may become more mature, which means they may not be quite as red as they were a few months ago.

One year after:

A year after your surgery, your scars should have begun to mature. For many patients, this may mean that the redness fades to a paler colour, and the scars may settle to become flat on the skin. The scars will still be somewhat visible and may continue to fade even after the one-year mark. However, in most cases, they have settled and become less prominent.

Caring for your scars post-surgery

It is important to take care of your incision sites throughout the recovery and aftercare process. This will begin with post-operative incision care, such as keeping your incisions clean and avoiding touching or irritating these sensitive areas. While your wounds are healing, it’s important to avoid:

• Extreme temperatures
• Sun exposure
• Scratching or rubbing
• Smoking
• Blood-thinning medications

Once the wounds have healed, several scar management options are available. You may ask your surgeon what kind of scar treatment may work in your case.

• Laser treatments
• Topical ointments or creams
• Massage
• Silicone treatments

Risk of poor scarring

You should be aware that although we can manage scars, scarring is not entirely predictable, and your scars will never fully disappear. Even though most patients’ scars fade with time to a pale colour, there is a risk of poor or unwanted scarring. Some people might be more prone to large scars or discolouration, such as:

• Hypertrophic scars (thick, raised scars)
• Keloid scars (large, irregular scars)

Whether you experience poor scarring outcomes can depend on your aftercare and surgical plan. However, it can also be impacted by factors outside of the control of you and your surgeon, such as genetics. If you know that you have a genetic predisposition to scarring conditions, make sure you bring this up with your surgeon.

Why choose Valley Plastic Surgery for breast reduction mammoplasty in Brisbane

Many factors can affect your surgical scarring after breast reduction mammoplasty. The type of surgery, your genetics, nutrition, post-operative care, and other lifestyle factors can all play a part. Having a qualified and skilled practitioner to guide you through your recovery is of great importance. Consult our team at Valley Plastic Surgery in Brisbane to learn more about (mammoplasty) breast reduction scars and how to manage them.