What to Expect With Breast Reduction Scars

Breast reduction surgery, also known as a reduction mammaplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes glandular tissue, excess fat, and skin from the breasts to achieve a smaller breast size and reduce volume and weight. This surgery allows for more proportioned breasts that relieve women of chronic back pain or physical discomfort.

However, breast reduction surgery opens the conversation to breast reduction scars. This blog will guide you through the various types of scars and incisions and provide practical healing tips to help you make an informed decision about your procedure.

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Why Breast Reduction Leaves Scars

As with most surgeries, breast reduction requires incisions. This is to correct excessive breasts and reduce their size. The pattern of the scarring depends on the technique your surgeon uses when performing the procedure. Dr. Knowling will choose a technique based on your breast size, shape, the degree of sagging, skin elasticity, and the shape and position of your areola.

While breast reduction scars are permanent, they usually become less stark over time. Dr. Knowling makes an effort to place incisions where they can be hidden in the color of your areola, while others may be placed in a more visible area. The goal is to achieve the desired result with minimal scarring.

What Are the Different Types of Incisions?

There are three common types of breast reduction incisions: the keyhole incision, the inverted-T incision, and the periareolar incision.

Keyhole Incision

The keyhole incision, also referred to as the lollipop lift, makes a circle around the areola with a vertical incision from the areola down to the breast crease. This type of incision is ideal for patients with moderate sagging of the breasts. Additionally, there is no scar along the horizontal crease of the breast.

Inverted-T Incision

The inverted-T incision, also known as the anchor incision, is the most common technique for breast reduction. It involves a cut around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease, then a horizontal incision along the breast crease.

If the patient is seeking a significant reduction and wants to correct severely sagging breasts, Dr. Knowling will see if this surgical technique is best for you. This approach provides the most dramatic results but also comes with the most scarring.

Periareolar Incision

The periareolar incision, or the donut incision, is a circular incision that is made around the areola. Then there is a second, wider circular incision around the areola to remove a “donut” of the skin. This is an effective option for patients looking to correct mild sagging and achieve a small improvement. This incision also leaves a single hidden scar around the areola.

Overall, the type of incision depends on breast size, anatomy, symmetry, and the patient’s body goals. The scar size and pattern depend on the surgical technique that Dr. Knowling chooses for the patient.

Aftercare Tips for Breast Reduction

Here are some healing tips to take care of your breast reduction scars:

• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing the incision.
• Protect scars from the sun.
• Wear your compression bra as directed.
• Keep surgical tape in place for the recommended time.
• Avoid strenuous activities during the early stages of recovery.
• Apply silicone-based gels to keep the incision site hydrated.
• After the incisions are fully closed, massage the area to soften and flatten scar tissue.

These tips will help support smoother recovery and may help scars fade as much as possible.

Want to Know More About Breast Reduction in Huntsville, AL?

Don’t let breast reduction scars prevent you from considering breast reduction surgery. Scarring does happen, but it is planned, manageable, and a worthwhile tradeoff for physical relief and improved confidence. Dr. Robert J. Knowling holds a patient-first approach and will guide you in understanding what your incision pattern, recovery, and scar care may look like by evaluating your anatomy and listening to your goals.

To book your breast reduction consultation in Huntsville, AL, call (256) 881-2220 or fill out our online contact form today!