Does Breast Reduction Surgery Leave Scars?

Yes! Breast reduction surgery involves making incisions in the skin that lead to scars. The extent and visibility of the scars after breast reduction surgery in Delhi depend on the technique used and the individual’s skin type.

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to reduce the size and weight of excessively large breasts. During the procedure, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed from the breasts, reshaping them to achieve a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Surgeons typically use various incision techniques, such as the anchor or lollipop incision, to access and reshape the breast tissue. Each incision will heal and leave scars.

Different Types of Breast Reduction Surgery Scars

Breast reduction surgery in Delhi typically involves two primary types of scars depending on the types of incisions:

Vertical (Lollipop) Incision: For the vertical (lollipop) breast reduction surgery procedure, the surgeon will make two incisions: one around the areola or the dark area surrounding the nipple and one vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the crease of the bottom of the breast. This creates a lollipop-shaped scar.

Inverted (Anchor) Incision: Inverted or anchor breast reduction surgery is the most traditional technique that involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the bottom of the areola to the crease beneath the breast, and one along the crease beneath the breast. This creates an anchor-shaped scar.

These scars are typically most noticeable for one to two months after the breast reduction surgery. However, over time, scars tend to fade and become less noticeable. Scar management can impact the breast reduction surgery cost in Delhi.

What Will the Scaring Look Like?

The appearance of scars after breast reduction surgery can vary from person to person due to individual healing abilities, skin type, surgical technique used, and post-operative care. Initially, your surgeon will place a bandage over your scar for a few weeks to safeguard the surgical area. Once you remove the bandage, your scars may appear red, and that area may appear raised. As the healing process progresses, they tend to darken and become flatter. After one year, your scars will blend with your skin’s natural tone. Although the scar may look brighter or darker than your natural skin tone at first, it will be a closely similar shade.

People with darker skin tones may be more prone to hyperpigmentation or forming somewhat larger, elevated scars such as hypertrophic scars or keloids. Hyperpigmentation involves the skin becoming discoloured, causing the scar to appear darker than the surrounding skin. On the other hand, hypopigmentation is also a possibility. In this scenario, the scar takes on a lighter colour compared to the surrounding skin.

How to Minimise the Breast Reduction Surgery Scar?

Minimising breast reduction surgery scars requires proper wound care, post-operative instructions, and a commitment to ongoing scar management. Here are some steps you can take to help reduce the appearance of scars:

1. Follow Post-Operative Care Instructions: Follow your surgeon’s instructions for wound care, hygiene, and physical activity during the initial recovery period. Following these promotes proper healing and minimises the risk of complications.
2. Keep the Incisions Clean: Gently clean the incision sites as instructed by your surgeon to prevent infection after breast reduction surgery in Delhi. Avoid harsh soaps, rubbing, or scrubbing the incisions, as these irritate the healing skin.
3. Minimise Sun Exposure: Protect your incision sites from direct sunlight for the first year after surgery. Because UV rays can darken scars and slow down the healing process. Use sunscreen and cover the treated area while moving in the sun.
4. Avoid Smoking: Smoking can affect blood circulation and cause wound healing to be delayed. Therefore, it is essential to quit smoking to promote the healing process.
5. Use Topical Creams or Ointments: Use an ointment that contains silicon to reduce visible scars. Your surgeon can also recommend using a silicon-based sheet or gel. These products create a protective barrier over the scar and can help regulate collagen production. Include the cost of these ointments in the overall breast reduction surgery cost in Delhi.
6. Scar Massage: Don’t scratch or scrub your scars, as scratching or scrubbing can interfere with healing. Rather, gently massage them. Gently massaging the scar tissue once the incisions have healed can help break down scar tissue and promote better scar maturation. Your surgeon can guide you on the appropriate techniques and timing for scar massage.
7. Cryosurgery (Cryotherapy): Cryosurgery involves freezing the scar tissue with specialised tools. It helps to destroy the scar tissues and make the scars small and less noticeable. It can increase the breast reduction surgery cost in Delhi.
8. Injections: Corticosteroidal injections can help to treat keloid scars. The dermatologist will inject the medication directly into the scars. These injections can also relieve pain and itching associated with the scar. These injections can impact the overall breast reduction surgery cost in Delhi.
9. Laser Treatments: If the scars appear excessively dark or thick even after healing, you can consider fractional laser treatment. This procedure involves using microscopic lasers that may treat the large skin areas simultaneously. By targeting both the upper (epidermis) and middle (dermis) skin layers. Additional laser treatments can impact the breast reduction surgery cost in Delhi.
10. Embrace Dressings: Embrace dressings can also help minimise scar tissue appearance. These specialised dressings are applied by surgeons right after the procedure to enhance the cohesion between the skin’s two sides.

Wrapping Up!

The scars that result from breast reduction surgery are typically most noticeable in the months after breast reduction surgery. However, over time, scars tend to fade and become less noticeable. Proper wound care, following post-operative instructions, and avoiding sun exposure can help minimise the appearance of scars.

If you are looking for a breast reduction surgery procedure in Delhi, look no further than Dr Lokesh Handa, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Delhi. He will guide you through the procedure and help reduce and minimise the scars afterwards.