Scarring after breast reduction?
I really want to get breast reduction surgery. I have three kids and don’t plan on having anymore, so I’m seriously considering a breast reduction now more than ever. My questions is about scarring. How bad is the scarring from this surgery and where exactly are the scars?
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Dear Sheila,
A breast reduction procedure involves
the removal of breast gland and fat tissue to reduce the size of the breast and
reduce symptoms of a large mammary hypertrophy such as shoulder pain, neck and
back pain, under the breast skin infestations and infections and cosmetic
appearance. The disadvantage of breast reduction
surgery are the often visible scars that can be circumareolar, around the
areola as well as vertical in a lollipop configuration or even with an
inframammary horizontal component called the anchor scar.
Lollipop and anchor scars can be
wide, red, raised and unattractive.
Treatment of breast reduction scars can include laser treatment to
reduce the redness and improve the textural appearance of scars and these lasers
would include the pulse dye and intense pulsed light as well as fractional
infrared and fractional resurfacing lasers.
Other techniques to improve raised scars include injectable
Triamcinolone or other chemicals to flatten the scar and topical silicone gel
to improve the redness and flatten raised scars.
With a focal approach using
multimodal technologies most breast reduction scars can be approved and
significantly eliminated.
To schedule a consultation or to find
out more, simply visit https://www.spamedica.com
R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto