“I looked great and felt great.”
The two long, saggy, worn-out boobs that had become haggard from pregnancy weight gain and loss, followed by breastfeeding 2 children, were gone. I mean to say, not a trace of those “grandma” boobs existed upon my 34-year-old frame!!! Hurray! Hurray! My breast shape finally resembled my age and the symmetrical aesthetic I had always wanted. At my post-operative visit, it was hard not to give my surgeon a big smooch on the cheek after he had performed such amazing work. I was on cloud nine. After a week, I was back at work. My energy came back after about 2 weeks. No one would ever know I had breast surgery! I looked great and felt great. However, after 4 weeks, my excitement oddly changed for the worse. Roughly 4 weeks after my breast surgery, it was time for the Steri-Strips to be removed. When your breast surgery is complete, the surgeon will cover the incision sites with Steri-Strips. They are thin, soft, gauze-like tape that adds pressure and support to the incisions during healing. The Steri-Strips had masked my breast lift incisions for several weeks.“It was a lot to take in at first.”
Although I had seen other women post-breast lift surgery, I wasn’t prepared for how I would feel seeing those same anchor lift incision patterns on my own body. It was a lot to take in at first. I wasn’t mentally prepared to feel uneasy about the bright pink incisions. To be honest, I felt like Frankenstein’s bride. Not because the incisions were gruesome, jagged, or abnormal; they were actually smooth, straight, precise, and bright pink. My brain had blocked out the incisions because they were covered for a good part of a month. Out of sight, out of mind. Somehow, I had forgotten that I would actually have scars that needed to heal.
My doctor gently reminded me that my breast shape was attractive and re-iterated that the scars would fade over time. He was right. The scar tissue needed time to soften, flatten, and fade. It takes 12 to 18 months for a scar to begin to fade. Slowly, I began to understand that healing is a process; a journey, if you will. My mind and body went through a range of emotions and healing blocks. I now know this was normal. However, at the time, I didn’t feel normal with the contrast of emotions ranging from elation to dissatisfaction.
“Time is your friend.”
It is human nature to want a quick fix. I sure wanted one! The body will heal on its own—at its own pace. Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Surgical technique, genetics, and skin tone play a huge role in scar quality. All 3 of the aforementioned are out of our control. What I found to be the best advice while I was healing is the quote, “Time is your friend.” For an impatient person like myself, this idea was a foreign concept. But it soon became my mantra.
Patient is shown before and 14 months post-op.
Patient is shown before and 2 years post-op.
It’s been year and half since my breast augmentation. My scars still present . I’ve used all scars oil . Nothings working any suggestions ?
Hi Nelie,
There is still potential that your scar will continue to fade over the next year. You might also look into laser treatments (depending on your skin type) and possibly hydroquinone.
This read spoke to me. I myself feel like Frankenstein’s bride right now. I literally cried my eyes out seeing my incisions for the first time once steri-strips were removed. It was due to that OH MY, what did I do to myself feeling… not a “oh wow” feeling thanks for the read!
That is so, so common! It will get better and you will be so happy you did it in a couple of months!! Hang in there!