Breast lifting is often needed in breast augmentation surgery when the nipples sits at or below the level of the inframammary fold. While there are four different types of breast lifts, the most effective of them involve the excision and tightening of skin beyond the areola on the lower pole of the breast.
Breast lifts create unavoidable scars that traverse vertically down the lower pole of the breasts and often along the inframammary fold as well. While not as visible as a scar that is on the upper pole of the breast, such healing scars are disconcerting to most women nonetheless.
Like all scars, breast lift scars undergo an evolution in their healing process. While many breast lift scars go own to look very acceptable, it is a long process of scar maturation to get there. Initially after surgery the scar lines from a breast lift look very fine with good skin color. This is because in the first few weeks after surgery there is a minimal inflammatory response along the incision lines. This fools patents because they mistakenly believe that this is the worst they will look and time will make them even better.
But the very early appearance of breast lift incisions belies what is forthcoming. As the inflammatory response ensues and true healing of the incisions begins they will turn red due to the ingrowth of blood vessels. The scars will continue to turn red and will remain so for several months as the healing process continues. Once the incisions are fully healed only then will the color of them begin to fade. This scar maturation process can take six to nine months, and sometimes longer, to appreciate what the final appearance of the breast lift scars will be.
While breast lifts are always a ‘necessary’ aesthetic surgery in breast reshaping, they create their own adverse tradeoffs. While implants create an immediate and gratifying effect, the scars of breast lifts take longer to reach a satisfying conclusion
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana