Will I Have Breast Lift Scars After a Year?
One of the first questions patients ask when consulting about breast lift surgery is: “Will I have breast lift scars?”
Most patients understand that immediately after surgery, scars will develop. After all, once you understand the fundamental steps of a breast lift procedure, you see that incisions are required, and incisions inevitably lead to scars.
However, what patients then want to know is when these scars will start to fade and blend in with the surrounding skin so that they are less noticeable.
While this will take some time, rest assured that with nearly all breast lift procedures, scars do fade and flatten out over time.
Below, we’ll take a specific look at what you can expect your breast lift scars to look like one year after surgery. First, though, let’s talk a bit about breast lift recovery in general.
How Long Is Breast Lift Recovery?
Breast lift recovery time varies from patient to patient and operation to operation. Most patients need to take at least one week off from work and sometimes up to two weeks.
You must refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for at least two weeks. This is to avoid too much blood flow to the treatment area.
After this, Dr. Sieber will help you reincorporate a light exercise routine. However, any exercises involving the chest and upper arm area should be avoided at this time.
Common side effects after breast lift surgery include soreness and some light discomfort, overall sensitivity, possible numbness, swelling, and bruising. Pain medication can be prescribed but usually isn’t needed for very long.
When Will I see My Results?
Ultimately, it may take up to six months or a year to see your complete results after breast lift surgery. However, most patients are able to see a decent representation of what their ultimate breast lift results will look like after two to four months. Just remember that some residual swelling may continue up until that one-year mark or even slightly after.
What Do Breast lift Scars Look Like?
The location of your scars depends on the breast lift technique used and where each breast lift incision is located. There are typically three options when it comes to the location of breast lift incisions.
First, you may only require an incision to be made around each areola if you don’t require much of a lift. This incision blends nicely with the areola’s edge.
Second, a “lollipop” incision pattern is made when one incision is made around each areola and another is made down the bottom half of each breast.
Finally, an “anchor” incision pattern is basically a lollipop lift incision pattern with the addition of a third incision, which is made along the inframammary fold (also known as the breast crease where the breast meets the chest). These latter two incision patterns are for more significant sagging and will lead to more visible scarring.
Scars will appear red or pink right after they form. As time goes on, you’ll notice that this pigmentation lessons so that ultimately, many patients have scars that are lighter than their natural skin tone. Those with naturally darker skin may end up with scars that are slightly darker than their natural skin tone.
Breast Lift Scars After One Year
Breast lift scars after one year tend to be noticeable, but less so than when they first developed. Most patients with healed one year breast lift scars notice that they are pale pink, mauve, or purple in color.
As time goes on, these scars may fade even more. After three or four years, they should be even more difficult to discern.
Most breast lift scars also flatten out over time. While they may be slightly raised when they first close up, as the months pass, they should flatten nicely with the rest of your skin.
How to Get Rid of Breast Lift Scars
First, follow your breast lift recovery instructions throughout the healing process. Next, stay out of the sun as sun exposure can darken scar tissue and make breast lift scars worse over time.
If you want to get a head start on scar therapy, consider using scar gels as you heal as well. Some surgeons also recommend scar massage. Just remember that you cannot start these options until your incisions are completely healed, and you must get the “okay” from your surgeon as well.
FAQ: Breast Lift Scars
Is breast lift surgery safe?
There are certainly breast lift risks to be aware of, but for the most part, breast lift surgery has been established as a safe procedure. Your surgeon will go over potential complications with you at your consultation appointment.
What if my scars are raised after breast lift surgery?
If your breast lift scars healed with raised scars, it’s important to contact your surgeon as soon as possible. Ideally, healed breast lift scars should be flat and flush with the rest of your skin.
Hypertrophic scars and keloid scars result when there is too much scar tissue buildup — beyond the bounds of the wound. These can be treated with special steroid injections, cryotherapy, laser therapy, and other professional scar removal treatments.
How much is breast lift surgery?
Breast lift cost can really vary, so be sure to book a consultation appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon for an accurate quote.
What’s the difference between a breast lift and breast reduction?
When it comes to breast lift vs breast reduction, remember that a breast lift is meant to raise drooping breasts and make them appear more youthful and perkier. Incidentally, this can also make breasts appear smaller.
The goal of breast reduction is, of course, to reduce the overall size of the breasts. But, what you may not know is that a breast reduction will almost always include a lift as well, and this can help with breast sagging.
What’s the difference between a breast lift and breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is another related breast enhancement procedure that often confuses patients.
The difference with a breast augmentation is that the goal is to increase the size of the breasts by adding breast implants. A breast lift with implant surgery is another option that combines breast implants with a breast lift.
Set Up a Personal Consultation With Dr. Sieber
Breast lifts can make sagging breasts look perkier and more youthful. If you are interested in breast lift surgery, please contact our office today to set up a consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber.
