Breast Augmentation and Scarring

    TAMPA, FL, April 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- All surgery results in scarring. Whenever the skin is cut, it will have to heal, and scarring will result. Scarring is an important factor to consider when you are considering breast augmentation surgery.

Incision Location Options

One of the good aspects of breast augmentation scars is that you get to choose where they are. Breast augmentation can be performed using three different incisions. The commonly used breast augmentation incisions are:
- Inframammary (at the breast crease)
- Periareolar (on the underside of the nipple-areola complex)
- Transaxillary (in the armpit)

Inframammary is the most common incision location. It gives surgeons good visibility and makes it easy for them to achieve the desired size, shape, and placement of the implant pocket. It also means that the incision site will likely be well concealed as the breast implant will cover it. This may not be the case if a woman does not have a well-developed breast crease prior to breast augmentation.

The periareolar incision is the next most common incision used. It also allows for good visibility and generally good results. Some surgeons prefer the periareolar incision because they claim that inframammary incisions weaken the support under the breast implant. Other surgeons specifically avoid the periareolar incision because of the risk of breast implant contamination by bacteria in the milk ducts.

Transaxillary incisions are placed in the armpit. Although this has the benefit of moving the incision and resultant scar away from the breast, it is also the most commonly exposed breast augmentation incision site, and can cause a woman significant self-consciousness should it scar poorly.

Your Scar's Appearance

Shortly after your breast augmentation procedure, your incision site will likely look red and raised and may be itchy or painful. However, it will continue to improve in appearance for many months, reaching close to its final appearance about a year after surgery.

There are many things your surgeon will do to ensure your scar has the best possible appearance after recovery. He will use a sharp blade to make a straight, clean cut. He will also suture the incision closed in a way that prevents tension on the incision. Finally, he will give you good instructions about taking care of your incision sites to reduce the risk of unfavorable scarring.

You also have a role to play in preventing unfavorable scarring. Most importantly, you should mention to your surgeon any history of adverse scarring in your family. Keloids and hypertrophic scars all seem to have a genetic component, so if you or someone in your family has developed keloids in the past, you are much more likely to develop them in the future. Follow your surgeon's instructions about caring of the incision sites and your breasts. You should also take good care of your skin before and after surgery to ensure it has the nutrients it needs to recover properly.

If you do your part, you will likely be surprised at how subtle the scars from your surgery are. However, there is always a risk of unfavorable scarring with any surgical procedure, including breast augmentation, and this must be taken into account when considering the procedure.

If you are in the Tampa, Florida area and would like to learn more about breast augmentation, please visit the website of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Antonio J. Gayoso at http://gayosoplasticsurgery.com.

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