Scar Revision Surgery

Scar Revision Surgery: Improving the Appearance and Condition of Scars

Scar revision is plastic surgery performed to improve the condition or appearance of a scar anywhere on your body. Scars, whether they’re caused by an accident or by surgery, are unpredictable. Scar revision surgery is a good option for people who have a scar that is raised, widened or even painful.

Types of Scars

Discoloration or surface irregularities
Hypertropic scars
Keloids
Contractures

What to expect?

No scar can be “erased” permanently. Most scars, in fact, are not easily changed. Qualities that make a scar successful in revision are raised or depressed scars, contour irregularities, poor lines of orientation, color mismatch and scars produced by blunt trauma.

Risks

Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Delayed healing
Anesthesia risks
Change in skin sensation
Damage to deeper structures including nerves, blood vessels, muscles and lungs can occur and may be temporary or permanent

Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
Skin contour irregularities
Skin discoloration and swelling
Skin sensitivity
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Pain, which may persist
The potential need for additional surgical procedures or staged procedures

Recovery

It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions after scar revision surgery to make sure the wound heals properly. Your surgeon will advise you on gradually returning to your normal activities following surgery. Your scar might look worse when you first see it after surgery – don’t worry, this is normal.

As you heal, keep in mind that the final results of your surgery may not be apparent for a year or more. The degree of improvement depends on the size of your scar, the nature and quality of your skin and how well you care for the wound after the operation.