If you have decided to treat your scar with surgery, there are some important things to know beforehand. Here’s what to discuss with your surgeon, how to appropriately reduce scar tissue, how placement and closure options can help reduce scar appearance, and how to treat surgical scars post healing. Being informed beforehand will give you peace of mind as you navigate this scary time.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
When meeting with your surgeon, ask these questions:
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Are you trained specifically in plastic surgery?
- How many years of experience do you have?
- Which hospital are you affiliated with?
- Am I a good candidate for the scar revision or removal procedure?
- Where will the procedure be performed?
- How much of a recovery period can I expect?
- What are the risks and complications involved?
- How do you handle complications?
- May I view some before-and-after photos?
Scar Revision Surgery
This type of surgery will minimize the appearance of your scar so it blends in with the surrounding skin. As a surgical incision heals, stitches may alter the appearance of a scar. A “railroad scar” can result if stitches are not removed in a timely manner. Also, scars can heal unevenly, leaving skin on one side higher than the other, known as a “trapdoor scar.”
Ask your reconstructive plastic surgeon about these so you can choose the most effective technique based on your type of scar. Your surgeon can:
- Reduce the size of a scar
- Reposition it to an area that’s less visible
- Smooth the contours to correct dimpled/sunken scars
Many times, surgeons can use special techniques to move your scar to a less visible area. With facial scars resulting from incision closures, for example, your doctor could remove and reposition the scar so that it heals along one of your skin’s natural folds.
They could also inject some fat from your thigh or belly to fill sunken areas resulting from an open wound over a wide area of injury.
Post-Surgery Tips
A sterile bandage will be placed over the wound after surgery. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication so you can recover in comfort. He or she will book you a follow-up appointment for a week after the surgery to evaluate progress and remove any stitches. Expect healing, flattening and fading over the next several weeks, until the old scar nearly matches the surrounding skin. Complete healing may take up to a year.
Other follow-ups will be needed to keep an eye on the healing process. Your doctor may administer a corticosteroid injection if a hypertrophic scar or keloid starts to form after surgery.
You’ll also want to:
- Avoid sunlight
- Avoid heavy lifting that could strain the area.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Properly care for your incisions to avoid infection.
- Stay hydrated
- Eat well
- Gently massage the area with Scarfade to keep any further scarring at bay.
Check out our website for ways you can buy Scarfade today and make it part of your post-surgery healing regimen.