How to reduce the size of a breast implant scar?

Methods of performing mammoplasty

Based on the goals set by the patient, the surgeon performs the operation in different ways. A lot depends on the choice: where the incisions will be made, how long it will take for the sutures to heal after mammoplasty, and whether complications should be expected during the operation. So in practice one of the methods of surgical intervention can be used:

• Transaxillary. The incision is made in the armpit area - the operation is quite complicated, there is a risk of bleeding. Not suitable for correction of asymmetrical breasts and displacement of natural folds.
• Periareolar. At the border between the pigmented areola of the nipple and the surrounding skin. Performed if the purpose of the operation is to tighten the breasts. This way, excess skin is removed, and the stitch heals for 6 months.
• Transabdominal. Insertion of the implant through the periumbilical area. A woman easily tolerates this method and in this case there are no noticeable scars left after mammoplasty.
• Submammary. The fold under the mammary gland is incised. The scar resembles a bra strip.

The doctor decides how to perform mammoplasty. It takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient, her health and the desired result.

Whether marks will remain after the procedure depends on how the woman takes care of the stitches after mammoplasty.

What is fibroadenoma?

Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor that develops against the background of inadequate production of sex hormones, so it is predominantly found in young women. The peak incidence occurs at the time of entry into menopause - approximately 45 years. The end of menstruation leads to involution of the glandular tissue, and benign processes are becoming less common, and cancer is developing much more often.

All hyperplastic processes in the organs of the female reproductive system are controlled by the ratio of estrogen and progesterone, therefore, when a woman has a hormonal imbalance, mastopathy, endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids and benign breast tumors often coexist in one set or another.

To the touch, fibroadenoma has clear boundaries, an even and smooth surface, dense, but not stone-like. It never fuses with the skin, being located inside the gland tissue, it is easily displaced and painless. The size of the tumor node is variable; as a rule, in a small breast it is possible to feel a centimeter-long nodule.

There are two types of breast fibroadenoma:

• inside the duct - intracanacular, which began to grow in the wall, gradually narrows the duct, involving nearby glandular lobules;
• near the duct - the pericanacular grows around, “twisting” the layers like the rings of a tree trunk, while the lumen of the duct does not change;
• mixed - the vast majority, almost eight out of ten fibroadenomas.

Different tumor variants do not differ in symptoms or course, and therefore have no practical significance in practical medicine.

A benign tumor does not threaten to degenerate into cancer, but breast cancer can develop, masquerading as a fibroadenoma. Early cancer and a small benign nodule are difficult to distinguish even on a mammogram, so all neoplasms in the mammary glands must be subjected to a fine-needle biopsy and removed if there is doubt about the benignity of the microscopic picture.

Causes of scar formation

There are people whose bodies are not prone to forming scars, and there are those for whom a simple cut is a big problem. This feature can be inherited or indicate a lack of vitamins and health problems.

In the case of mammoplasty, scars are also formed due to skin tension, which is formed as a result of the insertion of implants. After the operation, the incision is sutured; however, during mammoplasty, self-absorbable threads are not used, but rather ordinary surgical ones are used. Therefore, after 10 days they are removed, which is quite painful.

In addition, there are other possible reasons for the appearance of scars after mammoplasty:

• Genetics. If you have a family history of keloid scars, chances are you will develop them too. But it is difficult to predict the outcome before surgery.
• Professionalism and experience of the surgeon. The breast tissue is dissected layer by layer and then carefully stitched together. If stitches are applied carelessly, the skin becomes rougher.
• Threads for seams. Self-absorbing threads provoke aseptic inflammation and scarring. Therefore, the doctor uses materials that require further removal, but do not give such side effects.
• Incorrect electrocoagulation. To prevent bleeding, the capillaries are “sealed”, but this can only be done on the inner layers of the dermis.

What consequences should you be prepared for after surgery?

Surgery is stressful for the entire body, regardless of which part of the body is invaded. Before the operation, a full examination is carried out to exclude health problems. But this condition does not fully guarantee that after installation of breast implants only temporary symptoms will appear:

• tissue swelling;
• chest pain and tingling;
• decreased skin sensitivity;
• itching

The implantation of a body foreign to the body does not exclude specific complications of mammoplasty:

• displacement of the endoprosthesis;
• deformation of the chest with the formation of a double fold;
• capsular fibrous contracture;
• loss of sensitivity of the nipples and epidermis;
• skin ripples;
• allergy to the implant;
• rupture of the endoprosthesis;
• prominent veins on the chest;
• calcification;
• keloid scars;
• hormonal disbalance;
• manifestation of the contours of the endoprosthesis, etc.

Complications can be eliminated by repeated surgery, in some cases with removal of implants.

Types of scars

Depending on the complexity of removal, appearance and structure, several scars are distinguished: atrophic, normotrophic, hypertrophic and keloid. After mammoplasty, a woman struggles with only three of them; atrophic scars resolve on their own and do not pose a problem.

Keloid

Raised fresh bright red or pink stripes. Over time, they turn pale, but can grow in length and width. Injured skin produces excess collagen, which causes the scar to protrude above the level of healthy tissue. Accompanied by a burning sensation and itching. They must be treated as soon as they become noticeable and the wound has completely healed - if you start the process, they will cause a lot of trouble in the future.

Normotrophic

They are on the same level as healthy skin, but darker or paler than the overall tone. Unlike keloid scars, normotrophic scars have reduced sensitivity, they are quite elastic and do not tend to increase over time.

Hypertrophic

They are similar to keloids - they are also formed with a large production of collagen in the inflamed area, which is why they are higher than healthy skin. They resemble a thin reddish thread. Pink and red shades in scars indicate damage to the capillaries: excess collagen puts pressure on the vessels, as a result of which blood flow is disrupted and the required amount of nutrients does not reach the epidermis.

Due to impaired blood flow, an increased temperature may be observed at the site of redness.

However, unlike keloid scars, hypertrophic scars tend to decrease after 1-1.5 years.

Seamless mammoplasty method

This method is gaining increasing popularity. With this method of breast augmentation, the incision is glued together with special fibrin glue, without a seam. The following advantages of the seamless method for the patient can be highlighted:

1. There is no risk of the implant moving under the skin after surgery. The fact is that after a pocket is formed under the skin, the glue is injected under pressure into the cavity. The implant is then glued to the surface of the tissue, without a seam. This fixation eliminates the possibility of displacement and disruption of the appearance of the breast. In addition, it made it impossible for diffuse bleeding to occur after surgery, since the layer of glue over the suture has a hemostatic effect on the tissue. Because of this, there is no need to install drains for the outflow of blood and serous fluid.
2. The technique of breast augmentation without seams can reduce pain. The skin surface without a seam is less injured and recovers faster, so the postoperative period takes no more than 7 days. There is no swelling or bruising, nipple sensitivity remains.
3. Fixing the incision site with fibrin glue avoids the appearance of scars, since there is no need to remove sutures. Already 5 days after the end of the operation, the incision is epithelialized, without redness.

Seamless breast augmentation can significantly reduce the postoperative period of tissue recovery, as well as avoid unaesthetic scars after suturing. As more and more clinics master the seamless breast augmentation technique, the operation will become a simple and enjoyable process with virtually no side effects.

How to care for scars after mammoplasty

For the first 3 weeks after surgery, it is not recommended to take a bath; during personal hygiene, the sutures should be protected from water, for example, wrapped in plastic wrap.

To prevent complications, you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations, and first of all, do not rub the scar. Experts advise using silicone bandages, bandages and compression garments. Of course, during the rehabilitation period you will have to give up the beautiful, but uncomfortable bra with underwires.

To protect the wounds from inevitable friction with clothing, silicone patches are glued to them. In addition to protection, the patch narrows and softens scars, but this effect is only possible with constant use.

When the wound has completely healed - scarring, crust formation and its death - the operated area can already be smeared with a cream with an anti-scar effect, and after a shower the skin can be nourished with moisturizing lotions.

Among other things, in the first 4 months you should avoid heavy physical activity and lifting weights exceeding 3 kg. This limitation is due to the fact that the skin on the scar is not yet strong enough, there is a risk of tearing the epidermal tissue and getting stretch marks.

Correction of sutures after mammoplasty by cosmetology

If prevention does not protect against scars after mammoplasty, many patients turn to a cosmetologist for help.

The following procedures will help solve the problem:

• peeling with fruit acids;
• cryotherapy;
• microdermabrasion;
• laser resurfacing;
• steroid injections into the scar.

Each of these methods involves additional trauma to the skin. Thus, an injection into the damaged area will leave a hole from the syringe needle, cryotherapy involves cauterization with nitrogen, which causes necrosis of scar cells, and peeling simply cuts off the upper layer of the epidermis - a painful procedure that requires a rehabilitation period. The operating principles of laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion are similar to the work of peeling: in microdermabrasion, the crystal particles that remove the epidermal layer are simply smaller, and in laser resurfacing, their role is played by a laser beam.