November 30, 2012 | Breast Augmentation, Scarring
3 minute read
No matter what surgical procedure you are having done, there will be some amount of scarring left behind. At Dr. Jamie Perez’s Tampa plastic surgery practice, we think it is important for our patients to have realistic expectations of the scars that will remain after breast augmentation surgery.
What Causes Scarring?
After surgery, your body will need to heal where the incision has been made. During the healing period, your body will make extra collagen to connect and heal the skin tissue. As this is happening, an enzyme called collagenase is also being produced to control the collagen and eliminate any excess. The interaction of these two substances will determine the extent of scarring that develops.
Scar Location
For Dr. Perez’s patients in Tampa, breast augmentation is a personalized surgery that includes choices regarding surgical technique and incision placement. Each incision site has advantages and disadvantages to consider. Dr. Perez will help you make an informed decision regarding the best incision site for your breast augmentation surgery. Depending on which incision is used during your surgery, you will be left with a scar in one of the following areas:
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- In the crease beneath the breast, close to the chest wall
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- On the lower side of the areola
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- In the armpit
Dr. Perez is very careful when making his surgical incisions. He will make small incisions and do his best to make sure that the scar that remains after surgery is as inconspicuous as possible.
Treating Scars
During your initial healing, your scars will be at their most noticeable and will probably appear bright red or pink in color. As your incision continues to heal, the color of the scar will fade and become more discreet. While it is not possible to prevent scars entirely, there are steps that can be taken to aid in the healing of the scar and minimize its appearance.
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- Keep the wound clean: Keeping your incision clean and following Dr. Perez’s post-operative care instructions is the best way to ensure that your incision will heal properly.
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- Use surgical tape or silicone gel sheeting: You will go home from surgery with surgical tape and bandages covering your incision. Make sure you do not remove the bandages until instructed to do so by Dr. Perez. After the tape has been removed, you can continue to cover the incision with silicone gel sheeting to promote healing and prevent the skin from being pulled.
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- Scar cream: There are creams available to help reduce the signs of scarring. You can ask Dr. Perez if there is a product he recommends.
It is important to realize that genetics plays a large part in how the body will scar. A small percentage of patients may be unhappy with the appearance of scarring following breast augmentation surgery. If your scar has not faded within a year after surgery, Dr. Perez may recommend injections or laser skin treatment to reduce further reduce its appearance.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have any questions about breast augmentation or the scarring that will result from surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jamie Perez. Dr. Perez and his friendly staff believe in keeping patients well informed and are happy to answer any of your questions.