AFC Scar Patterns & More

Scar Patterns

If you’ve decided to pursue aesthetic flat closure for your mastectomy, you may be wondering what incision or scar pattern is right for you. This is an important discussion to have with your surgeon, and it can help to think through your options ahead of time. The incision is where the surgeon cuts the skin, and the scar is where the skin is sewn (or “closed”) together.

The important thing for you to know is that what you want to communicate to your surgeon is where you want your scars to lie. Then your surgeon can plan the incisions to achieve that goal for you, taking into consideration your preferences, your anatomy, and any oncologic or other constraints. Think about which scar patterns look good to you:

Considering the Pros and Cons of Patterns

• Curved or Straight? While the default seems to be straight scars, many patients actually prefer curved scars because of the more “natural” look. Additionally, a curved scar can sometimes produce a flatter contour than a straight scar. The U-shaped pattern follows the natural curve of the breast, and the gull wing is another option which some people find preferable aesthetically.
• Horizontal, Diagonal, or Vertical? If you will have straight scars, they can be oriented in different ways on your chest. Do you have a preference?
• High or Low? Do you want your scars to lie high on your chest closer to your armpits, or lower down near the natural curve of your breast? The default seems to be “in the middle,” but there can be advantages to placing the scars lower, in particular – it allows for you to wear low cut tops without exposing your scars (if that’s a concern for you).
• (For larger breasts) Anchor or Y-shaped? Particularly if you have significant excess tissue in your breasts or on your chest wall, a type of procedure called “tissue rearrangement” may be called for to ensure you receive an optimal flat outcome. You don’t want to end up with dog ears under your arms – this can be uncomfortable as well as unsightly. There are two main types of scar patterns that result from this rearrangement: y-shaped and anchor. You’ll notice that with y-shaped scars, the extra “line” is under your arm (at the side of your chest), while with anchor scars the extra “line” is over your breast area (on top of your chest).
• Joined or Separate? To smooth out the center of your chest, some surgeons will join together the two incisions to create one long scar that goes from armpit to armpit.

Managing Concavity

Most mastectomy patients going flat desire a smooth, flat contour with no extra skin and no concavity. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we get. Areas of concavity result from both your unique anatomy and from the surgeon’s technique. Concavity may also be more pronounced at explant. How can concavity be minimized? There are two approaches. A procedure called tissue rearrangement with “de-epithelialization” can be used to avoid concavity during the mastectomy, and fat grafting can be used after the fact also.

De-epithelialization is a straightforward procedure used during the initial mastectomy. It repurposes some of the extra skin (which would otherwise be removed) as padding to “fill in” the concave site. When the incision is then closed over the area, the result is an optimal contour. When the maximum amount of skin/fat is repurposed this way, the result can even be a small breast mound (that’s called a “Goldilocks mastectomy.”)

Fat grafting is performed at a later date. It is essentially a type of liposuction, i.e. removing fat from a donor site, but instead of discarding the fat, it is then injected into the breast area to bulk up and smooth out the contour. With multiple rounds of fat grafting, some people may even be able to achieve a small mound (if that’s their goal).

Nipples

You Should Know

• It’s Not Always an Option. Not all women are candidates for nipple preservation, from a medical perspective. Nipple preservation may also constrain the incision patterns that will work for your situation.
• Areola vs. Nipple Preservation. Even if you’re not a candidate for nipple preservation, you may be able to preserve some or all of your areolas. That’s because the areola doesn’t contain breast tissue like the nipple does.
• Loss of Sensation. Even if your surgeon is able to preserve your nipples and/or areolas, you likely will not retain much if any sensation in the area. That’s because when the underlying breast tissue is removed, the nerves that produce sensation are severed.
• Alternatives. There are alternatives available. If the look of a nipple is important to you but you’re unable to preserve your natural nipples and/or areolas, nipple reconstruction may be an option. This is where a nipple shape is surgically created out of your own breast skin. The look of a nipple and areola can also be created with restorative tattooing (more below in the following section). Tattooing has come a long way in the last several years and can look photo realistic with the right artist. And there are the options of temporary tattoos and removable prosthetic nipples as well.

Talk to Your Surgeon

Speak to your surgeon about which surgical approach is best for you. There can be oncologic, anatomic, or other constraints to consider, so it’s important to speak to your surgeon about your specific situation and your preferences. Not all oncology surgeons are versed in every technique either. If that’s the case with your surgeon, it may be an option to bring on a plastic surgeon to the team. Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion if you feel you are not being listened to, or if you feel you’re not being presented with all of your options. This is your body, your life and your choice.

After Surgery: Mastectomy Tattoos

Another aesthetic consideration when going flat is the option of eventually getting tattooed. Tattoos can be an important component of healing for many women following their surgery. This is true for both those who chose to reconstruct their breasts AND those who chose to go flat. Most surgeons recommend waiting 6-12 months after your surgery to get tattoos.

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