If you’ve had or are planning to have breast surgery, scarring might be a concern. Like any other breast procedure, mammoplasty breast reduction scars are to be expected.
As incision wounds heal following surgery, some immediate scarring is inevitable. However, there are certainly ways to minimise the appearance of your scarring by taking care of your post-surgical wounds and understanding scar management.
As with any aspect of surgery, the more informed you are, the better you’ll be able to make good decisions for your body, health, and surgical outcomes. For further guidance about mammoplasty breast reduction scars, speak to a specialist plastic surgeon such as Dr Broadhurst in Brisbane.
What causes breast surgery scarring?
When it comes to planning your mammoplasty breast reduction, there are certain things you should be aware of.
Many different factors can affect the appearance, position, colour, and texture of your scars, some of which are outside of your surgeon’s control. These factors include:
- Genetics
Some people are genetically more prone to scarring than others. If you are prone to raised or keloid scarring, you should discuss this with your surgeon who can make appropriate suggestions for how to proceed. - Health and lifestyle
Your health also plays a role in determining how your scars develop and mature. A healthy diet and lifestyle can help your body recover after surgery and will impact the way your scar tissue forms. This means that having healthy habits such as an exercise routine and a balanced diet can be a great aid during your recovery.
It’s also for this reason that surgeons will recommend patients quit smoking. Smoking inhibits the flow of oxygen, which increases risks and negatively affects the formation of scars over time. - General risk
There is always a risk involved in surgery, and this can’t be avoided, no matter the skill level of your surgeon. Before you go ahead with surgery, you should talk about the possible complications with your surgeon, including the risk of poor scarring. Make sure that you choose a well-trained and certified plastic surgeon to perform your breast surgery, as this indicates they are correctly qualified to make judgements about the risk factors in your particular case.
Again, it’s important that you’re aware of the inevitable nature of surgical scars. Since surgery involves making incisions in your skin, this will always result in some kind of scar. All you can do is be aware of the factors that might make a scar worse than it needs to be, and collaborate with your surgeon to reduce these risks.
Placement of mammoplasty breast reduction scars
Breast reduction mammoplasty surgery generally involves a series of incisions. The exact whereabouts of your incisions (and subsequent scars) will depend on your surgical goals, circumstances, and the recommendations of your surgeon.
In general, the two most common incision types for breast augmentation mammoplasty are:
- Lollipop incision– involves an incision around the areola, and one running down towards the breast crease
- Inverted anchor– involves incisions around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally across the breast crease
The incision technique used by your surgeon will be tailored according to your needs, which means this will be a point of discussion in your consultation. It also means that the appearance of your scars will be determined by your treatment plan and your surgeon’s incision techniques.
How can I reduce my scars?
There’s no sure-fire way to reduce or get rid of your scars, but, with the help of your surgeon, you can manage their appearance.
Scar management is an important part of post-operative care and usually comes into play after your wound has healed. This means there are two phases that play a role in the final appearance of your scars:
- The initial recovery (wound-care) phase
- The scar-management phase
During the initial recovery phase, it’s important to follow instructions about how to protect and care for your incisions. This comes along with a whole list of recovery instructions, such as getting plenty of rest, keeping a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, and resuming light activity when you feel able. Your surgeon will also advise that you keep your incisions clean and dry. Following these instructions will help your wounds to heal so that scar tissue can begin to form properly.
After your wounds have healed, scar tissue will have developed, and this tissue will mature and change colour over time. Scars initially might appear red and raised, and with time, will likely fade and become pale in colour.
To aid the scar maturation process, there are many possible treatment options. Make sure you consult with your surgeon or doctor beforehand to ensure the option you choose is suitable for you:
- Dermabrasion
- Laser treatments
- Healite therapy
- Surgery
These treatments might be done once your scars have healed well enough on their own.
Tips for scar management
There are some other general tips for scar management. In addition to the above treatment options, it’s generally a good idea to:
- Keep your incision sites out of the sun
- Wear a high-SPF sunscreen
- Gently massage your scar
- Keep your scars moisturised
- Wear your surgical support garment
Keeping your incisions protected from the sun is a good idea if you want to minimise your scars. This is because sun exposure can lead to discolouration. It can also make the scars thicker and raised. Scars that are kept away from the sun and moisturised with the recommended ointments or creams tend to mature better.
The risk of poor scarring
As mentioned, even if you do all the right things and manage your wounds properly, there is still a risk of poor scarring outcomes. You should ensure that you discuss the risks thoroughly before you proceed with your procedure, such as the risk of poor wound healing, large scars, and asymmetry. By discussing this, you can be physically and mentally prepared for the possible mammoplasty breast reduction scars.
Reasons to choose Dr Broadhurst for breast reduction mammoplasty surgery in Brisbane
Your choice of surgeon can make a big difference in the outcomes of your surgical scars. Each surgeon has their own set of experiences and skills which may differ from others. This means that when looking for a surgeon, you should make sure that he or she is well-trained and qualified. The surgeon should also be experienced in the type of surgery you are pursuing and be open with you about the possible risks of the procedure.
A good surgeon will be able to discuss scarring with you and explain how you can prepare yourself for the scar management process. The surgeon will also employ specific techniques to help increase your chances of a pleasing result in terms of scarring.
Dr Andrew Broadhurst is a qualified surgeon in Brisbane, who endeavours to provide patients with all the relevant information prior to surgery. Along with his team of medical professionals, Dr Broadhurst is here to help you each step of the way, through both your surgery and recovery. You can ask further questions during a private consultation.
For more information and guidance on scars after breast surgery, contact the clinic and we will be pleased to book you for a consultation.
