Hidden Scar Approach

Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in Houston, West Houston, Central Houston and The Woodlands, TX

Hidden Scar Approach, Houston, TX, Greater Houston Breast Care

Hidden scar breast cancer surgery is an advanced procedure that can remove a cancerous growth or lesion from the breasts while preserving their natural shape and structure. It utilizes incisions that are concealed within the contours of the breasts, allowing you to preserve your health without compromising your appearance.

Greater Houston Breast Surgeons is a comprehensive breast care clinic that has helped countless women across Texas through their breast cancer journey. Dr. Loren Rourke, Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas, and Dr. Lixana Vega Vega oversee our team.

Dr. Rourke is a board-certified breast surgical oncologist with over 20 years of experience. She is known for her personable manner and guiding her patients through treatment with an emphasis on comfort.

Dr. Bonefas is an extensively trained, board-certified surgical oncologist. She specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and can perform an array of advanced surgical procedures to eliminate it.

Dr. Vega Vega is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in general surgery. She provides her services in English, Spanish, and French, making them widely accessible to the diverse patient population of Houston.

To explore your treatment options, we invite you to contact us online. You may also call (713) 701-7165 to reach both our Houston and The Woodlands offices.

About Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery

Hidden scar breast cancer surgery removes a growth or lesion from the breast in a manner that maintains the natural aesthetics and structures of the breast. What makes this approach unique is that incisions follow the curves and contours of your breasts, which will then conceal any post-operative scarring in the inframammary fold, axillary region, periareolar region, or mid-axillary line. (1)

Benefits

Hidden scar breast cancer surgery brings patients several benefits, including:

  • Minimal Scarring: This procedure maintains the natural appearance of the breast by hiding incisions within the natural curves and contours of the breast.
  • Tumor Removal: Our surgical team will remove the entirety of the tumor in the procedure.
  • Elevated Self-Esteem: Addressing your breast cancer in a manner that maintains your breast shape can help improve your sense of overall self-confidence and quality of life.
  • Tailored Solutions: Our surgical team customizes each approach according to the stage, size, and location of your lesion.

Candidates

Ideal candidates for a hidden scar breast cancer procedure include those who have developed a cancerous growth or lesion that requires removal but want to minimize post-operative scarring. Most patients have stage 0, stage I, or stage II breast cancer and enough healthy breast tissue to maintain natural shape and structure.

To undergo this procedure, you should be in good general health and possess realistic expectations regarding your results. It is also important that you lead a nicotine-free lifestyle or be willing to quit smoking altogether. Our surgical team will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Your personal consultation is fundamental to addressing your breast cancer. During this meeting, your surgeon will meet with you individually to establish a relationship and form your treatment plan. They will review your medical history, including previous treatments or procedures you have undergone. They will discuss your concerns and establish realistic goals and expectations. They will also perform a thorough physical exam, which may include mammograms, ultrasound, or MRIs to assess the mass.

Your surgeon will then use this information to determine whether you qualify for a hidden scar breast cancer procedure. They will tailor each aspect of your procedure, provide you with preparation instructions, and discuss what to expect during your recovery. They will also answer any questions you may have.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation with our team, please contact us online. You may also call or text (713) 701-7165 to reach our offices in Houston, West Houston, Central Houston, and The Woodlands.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your procedure, your surgeon will give you a set of detailed instructions to help you prepare. These will be specific to your unique medical standing and procedure details, but you can expect them to include:

  • Avoiding Certain Medications: Discontinue using medications or supplements that may thin your blood.
  • Completing Tests: Undergo the lab or medical tests that your surgeon requests of you.
  • Coordinating Transportation Home: Have a trusted friend or relative drive you home after your procedure, as you will not be able to transport yourself.
  • Running Errands: Fill any prescriptions you will need as you heal, and organize a comfortable recovery space at home.
  • Ceasing Substances: Abstain from consuming nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Your surgeon will begin by answering any remaining questions you have and reconfirming your treatment plan. They will then cleanse the treatment area before you receive general anesthesia. They will place the incisions in discreet, easily concealable areas, such as around the areolas or beneath the breast crease. They will proceed to remove the growth through these incisions using advanced techniques that preserve your natural breast tissue.

Once your surgeon has removed the cancer and a small margin of the surrounding breast tissue, they will reshape the breast mound. The incisions will then be closed with sutures.

Recovery

After your hidden scar breast surgery, you can expect some initial swelling or bruising. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them with prescribed medications and plenty of rest. You may also have to wear a compression garment, which is a specialized garment that limits further swelling and maintains your breast shape as tissues continue to settle.

You may return to most of your daily activities after resting for a few weeks, but you will need to continue avoiding strenuous activities for several more weeks, or until your surgeon has approved.

Your surgeon will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through your recovery. These will include information on caring for your incisions, managing your side effects, and returning to your routine safely.

Results

The results of each hidden scar breast surgery will vary, but the focus of the procedure is to remove the entirety of the tumor with clear margins in a way that preserves the beauty and integrity of the breast.

Any scars that develop will fade and flatten with time until they are barely perceptible. Our team also ensures that they are made in an easily concealable location.

Corresponding Procedures

Our team can perform several other procedures in combination with your hidden scar breast cancer surgery to ensure all-encompassing care. Two include axillary lymph node dissection and excision biopsies, but they can provide you with tailored recommendations during your personal consultation.

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

If your surgeon believes your cancer has spread, they will elect to perform an axillary lymph node dissection to check. This is a procedure that removes the lymphatic tissue from the armpit region to check if the cancer has moved beyond the breasts, and to ensure it cannot spread further. (2)

Excisional Biopsy

If you believe that you have found another suspicious lump or mass in the breasts, our surgical team can perform an excisional biopsy to check. This diagnostic procedure consists of your surgeon surgically excising the lesion using sutures to close the incision. (3) Our team will then evaluate the tissue and determine whether it is cancerous and what type of cancer it is.

Cost of Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery in Houston

The pricing of your hidden scar breast cancer surgery will vary depending on your specific treatment requirements, such as the size of the lesion, the placement of the incision, and the extent of the procedure overall. Once your surgeon has met with you to establish these details, they will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

FAQ

Can my breast cancer return after a hidden scar breast cancer surgery?

Yes, your breast cancer can return in the future depending on the type of cancer you have, the cancer’s stage, whether it has evolved over time, and more. However, our surgeons always work to ensure they remove the entire tumor and any surrounding cancer cells they find.

Will I need to undergo a lymph node biopsy after my hidden scar breast cancer surgery?

Your surgeon may recommend undergoing either a sentinel lymph node biopsy or an axillary lymph node dissection if they believe the cancer has spread beyond your breasts.

Where will the incisions be?

Your incision placements will vary depending on the size, location, stage, and grade of the cancer, but they are typically made in regions such as the perimeters of the areolas or beneath the breasts. Your surgeon will provide you with further information during your consultation.

Can hidden scar breast cancer surgery be used to address later stages of breast cancer?

This technique is better suited for earlier stages of breast cancer, but your surgeon will finalize your candidacy when meeting with you in-person.

How long will it take for me to recover after my procedure?

Your exact recovery time will vary depending on the size and stage of the tumor, the extent of your procedure, and how quickly your body heals itself. Most patients can return to non-strenuous activities after resting for a few weeks.

References

  1. Yang JD, Lee J, Lee JS, Kim EK, Park CS, Park HY. Aesthetic Scar-Less Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction. Journal of Breast Cancer. 2021;24(1):22. doi:10.4048/jbc.2021.24.e11
  2. Toomey A, Lewis CR. Axillary Lymphadenectomy. StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Accessed August 6, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557873/
  3. Beard C, Schmieder GJ. Excisional Biopsy. StatPearls Publishing; 2018. Accessed August 6, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534835/