How to Minimize Breast Lift With Implants Scars

Breast lift with implants scars are a hot topic for those seeking this procedure.

Undoubtedly, if you are considering the surgery for yourself, you’ve already looked at breast lift with implants before and after photos. These images allow you to see how noticeable the scars are on real patients. If the surgeon is skilled, you’ll happily find that there is very little visible scar tissue, especially after a year or two has passed.

Still, patients seeking breast lift with implants surgery (augmentation mastopexy) frequently want additional tips on how they can minimize the appearance of breast surgery scars.

And while you can never fully get rid of any type of scar, we do have tips for reducing scar appearance for this surgery. Read on to learn more.

What Is a Breast Lift With Implants?

Breast lift with implants surgery is a plastic surgery procedure that combines a breast lift and breast augmentation.

Breast lift surgery is a cosmetic breast surgery that improves breast sagging and removes excess skin. Female patients often seek this procedure after they’re done having children or as they are aging and losing perkiness in their breasts. It is frequently part of a mommy makeover.

Breast augmentation surgery (also known as breast implant surgery) does not get rid of any excess skin, but it does increase the volume of the breasts and sometimes alters the overall shape of the breast. Breast augmentation may also be included in mommy makeover surgeries.

Breast Lift With Implants Scar Appearance

In general, breast lift scarring with implants is going to be no different than scars after a breast lift with no implants. That is, the options for breast lift incisions are the same as the options for breast lift with implants incisions; there is no need for any additional breast scars for the breast augmentation (breast implant insertion) portion of the surgery.

How your surgeon will decide which surgical technique and incisions he or she wants to use will depend on how much droopiness you have in your breasts. Where he or she should insert the breast implants is less important because implants can usually be inserted in any of the breast lift incision options that are available.

These are the most common incision patterns used in breast implants with lift surgery:

Anchor Lift

This breast lift technique creates an anchor-like pattern.

There is one incision going all the way around the outer edge of the areola. A second incision runs from the bottom of the areola down to the breast crease where the breast meets the chest. Finally, a third incision is made in the breast crease (also known as the inframammary fold).

Lollipop Lift

The lollipop breast lift gets its name because there are two surgical incisions that, together, look a bit like a lollipop. One incision runs vertically along the bottom half of the breast (from the breast crease up to the bottom edge of the areola). And the other incision goes all the way around the areola.

Donut Lift or Crescent Lift

Donut and crescent breast lifts require incisions around the areolae. A donut incision goes all the way around the areola. A crescent incision goes partway around the areola.

Tips to Minimize Scarring After Augmentation Mastopexy

#1 – Avoid straining or stretching your upper body after surgery.

Straining your arms and/or upper body and chest area can make breast lift scars worse by stretching the incision sites and distorting the healing scars.

#2 – Limit sun exposure.

Whenever your breast area might be open to sunlight, be sure to wear a strong SPF of at least 50. Sun exposure cause breast lift scar hyperpigmentation or darken scar tissue.

#3 – Use a topical silicone gel.

Silicone gel has been studied extensively and proven to reduce the appearance of breast lift surgery scars.

#4 – Keep an eye out for hypertrophic scars.

Most breast lift scars heal nice and flat. But occasionally, raised scars called hypertrophic scars can be quite noticeable. These are different from keloid scarring as hypertrophic scars do not spread and grow in size as keloids do.

#5 – Do not smoke.

If you’re already not a smoker, you’re good to go. However, if you quit just for your surgery, you’ll need to maintain this abstinence throughout your breast lift with implants recovery. Nicotine can actually limit recovery by constricting the blood vessels and preventing blood flow to the wound sites.

#6 – Don’t touch your incisions.

Certain patients may have the urge to touch or pick at their incision sites, but this should not be done. Doing so can worsen your scars by distorting the incision sites and possibly even opening up the stitches. It’s important to keep these areas clean, dry, and away from anything that might agitate them.

Breast Lift With Implants Q&A

Can you get a breast lift with implants without scars?

No, both traditional breast implant surgery (augmentation) and lift surgery require incisions. Although there are ways to increase breast size with a fat transfer or to lift the breasts slightly with injectables or other methods, for notable, long-lasting changes, surgery is required.

Are breast lift with implant scars worth it?

The majority of breast lift with implants patients are very happy with their results. Significant breast sagging and loss of volume cannot be treated with any other invasive or non-invasive cosmetic procedure. Incisions and surgery are required to physically lift the breasts and give you a more youthful, plump appearance.

If these are outcomes you desire, talk to a board certified plastic surgeon about breast lift with implants surgery for yourself.

Are there professional scar removal treatments available?

Yes, professional scar removal treatments are possible, but by closely following your surgeons post op instructions, you can probably avoid the need for the extra procedure.

Which breast lift with implants has the least scarring?

Your skin and breast tissue will need to be incised no matter which type of beast lift with implants you undergo. However, if you only need a slight lift, most of these procedures can be performed with only a donut lift, which requires one incision around each areolae.

Arrange for a Consultation With Dr. Sieber

Are you interested in breast lift with implants surgery?

This surgical procedure can remove excess tissue and skin to reshape your breasts and lift breasts that are currently sagging and droopy. Extensive scarring is not a requirement, and most patients are completely healed and able to start enjoying their new breasts within a week or so.

Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber performs this and other breast surgeries — such as breast lift surgery, breast augmentation surgery, breast reduction surgery, and more — at his San Francisco practice. Call today to schedule your consultation.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/combining-a-breast-lift-with-breast-implants