One of the main question’s patients have when they are considering a breast lift, is how visible the scarring will be. When you undergo any surgical procedure, you can expect some level of scarring to be left behind. So, what scarring can you expect after a breast lift? Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know.
What factors determine the extent of scarring after a breast lift?
The amount of scarring you experience after a breast lift will be determined by a number of factors. These include:
- The type of incision made
- The skill of the surgeon
- Certain medical conditions
- Age
- Whether or not you smoke
These are just some of the main factors that can impact the extent of scarring. It’s important to choose a good surgeon and talk about the different incision options. If you suffer with thyroid disease, Diabetes or high blood pressure, your body’s ability to heal may be affected.
Age can also be a factor as the older you are, the harder it is for the body to heal. However, that being said, older people tend to notice their scars fade quite quickly in comparison to younger patients.
Finally, if you smoke this can impact the results of the surgery. Studies have shown a direct link between smoking and increased scarring. For this reason, smokers are always advised to quit prior to the surgery.
Understanding the different incision types
There are a number of incision types your surgeon may use during your procedure. These include crescent, peri areolar and lollipop.
A crescent incision is made at the top of the nipple to the top of the areola. This helps to give a little lift. However, the majority of surgeons no longer use this technique as it can lead to nipple deformity and the lift it achieves is quite small.
The Peri areolar incision is mainly used on patients who have minimal excess skin in the lower breast, alongside those with a large areola. The method is effective at achieving a small lift.
Potentially the most common incision type with a breast lift is the lollipop method. This involves a circular incision around the areola, alongside a further incision running down to the breast fold. It can eliminate excess skin in the lower breast, while altering the position of the nipple.
These are the most common incision types which can be used. It is a good idea to speak to your surgeon to see which method they plan to use.
The importance of excellent aftercare
If you want to minimise scarring after your breast lift procedure, it is really important to follow the aftercare advice provided. This will include how long you need to rest and whether you need to take care of the wound site.
The aftercare instructions provided by Mr Nigel Horlock are there to help you experience the best recovery. If you don’t follow them, it can impact the overall results.
So, how much scarring after a breast lift you can expect varies from person to person. The above are just some of the factors that can contribute towards the severity of scarring after the procedure.
