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How to Minimize Breast Reduction Scars
You have been suffering for a very long time from a variety of symptoms as well as other issues related to your very large breasts. Now, finally, your breast reduction surgery has been scheduled, and that all important day can’t come soon enough. Relief of your discomforts and problems is on its way.
Probably garnering little of your attention are the inevitable post breast reduction scars that are the price to pay for such a game-changing procedure. Fortunately, most heal relatively or quite well. Nevertheless, with some planning beforehand and adhering to recommendations and guidelines postoperative, you can increase your odds for obtaining less conspicuous and more aesthetically pleasing scars.
The following are some of the ways that may help you achieve this:
Choose an Experienced Surgeon Who Has Consistently Desirable Results
It is critical to make the right choice on who will perform your surgery. Your decision could mean the difference between a highly successful outcome with your breasts reduced to the desired size with a nice shape and relatively inconspicuous scars OR one where your breasts are smaller but their shape, size, symmetry and prominent scars leave quite a lot to be desired.
Dr. Turkeltaub has performed a very large number of breast reductions here in Arizona over the last 29 years. His patients have uniformly been extremely ecstatic with their outcomes, often using the expressions “life changing!” and “best decision that I’ve ever made!” to describe their results and the hugely positive effects that their breast reductions have had on various aspects of their lives. This procedure requires more than just “cutting along the marked lines and removing breast tissue” though being a skillful plastic surgeon with meticulous technique is crucial. It is not only a science that can be learned but also an art that makes use of innate abilities that not everyone possesses and which truly can’t be acquired.
Avoid Smoking, Direct Sunlight, and Strenuous Exercise
Smoking decreases circulation and can impair healing, which can lead to ugly scarring as well as a loss (necrosis) of skin and even breast tissue. Your risks for these issues can be reduced by stopping smoking at least several weeks before surgery and not resuming it until at least around a month postoperatively. Even one cigarette can jeopardize results.
Strenuous exercising during the first few weeks after surgery can increase your risk for untoward events such as bleeding and the development of hematomas (accumulation of blood within the breast) and even wound separation. Certain activities early on can also predispose you to developing thicker, symptomatic and unattractive scars. You should follow the recommendations of Dr. Turkeltaub (or your own plastic surgeon) as regards specifics for resuming various demanding physical activities.
Prolonged exposure of your scars to direct sunlight over the first year following can result in them becoming more conspicuous and less ideal. Those who are darker complected also increase the risk that their scars will be even more dark longterm.
Eat Healthy Foods and Drink Hydrating Fluids
Having a well-balanced diet with an intake of all the necessary nutrients including a lot of protein is very important in the healing process. The absence of some key items such as certain proteins can increase your risk for significant wound-healing problems that can include wider and weaker scars, wound separation, delayed healing and increased risk for infections. These issues are seen more frequently in vegans and vegetarians.
Maintaining good hydration by drinking fluids such as water can help in many ways. This also can help minimize your risk of blood clots developing in your legs.
Use Creams, Lotions, and Silicone Gel Patches
There are a variety of gels, creams, lotions, and silicone gel patches available that can help your scars heal better; but, buyer beware as many are sham products. Dr. Turkeltaub will typically make recommendations for his patients as to which product to use.
Follow Doctor Recommendations
While the above guidelines will help any woman undergoing breast reduction, each woman will have unique needs. Follow Dr. Turkeltaub strongly recommends that his patients closely follow the recommendations made for them as they can facilitate you obtaining the best possible breast reduction scars.
For more information on how to minimize breast reduction scars or to schedule your breast reduction, call (480) 451–3000 or fill out our online contact form. We will be happy to help you schedule your personal consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub.