Scar Revision

Wisconsin Scar Revision

WHY SCAR REVISION?

Scar revision is a procedure designed to diminish the appearance of existing scars. Unsightly disfiguring scars or skin defects can be disconcerting and often devastating to one’s self-image. In addition to scars, other blemishes or defects that may be removed or improved with carefully planned plastic surgical techniques.

These blemishes or defects include:
– moles
– birthmarks
– cysts
– deep wrinkles
– pronounced acne scars

SCAR REVISION CANDIDATES

As with any elective surgical procedure, realistic expectations and good health are prerequisites. Men and women are both candidates for a scar revision procedure.

Scars are usually unsightly because they may:
– be wide
– be longer than one inch
– cross natural creases or facial contour lines
– be elevated above the adjacent skin
– be depressed below the adjacent skin
– be a different color than adjacent tissues

You may qualify as a candidate for a scar revision procedure, if any or all of these characteristics are present. Improvement in any of these characteristics should make the scar less conspicuous. Correction of two or three of these factors can often result in dramatic improvement of the appearance and sometimes function of the scar.

Any time an incision or injury penetrates all layers of the skin some scarring will result. The appearance of most scars or blemishes may be improved by well-planned and carefully executed surgery.

YOUR SCAR REVISION CONSULTATION

Your consultation with Dr. Parfitt will help you decide on the type of surgery that best addresses your concerns. He will determine if scar revision is the best procedure to achieve your ideal results.

If you are interested in facial scar revision, your choice of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is extremely important. During your consultation, Dr. Parfitt will examine your facial anatomy and also obtain a medical history, so he can consider any medical conditions that may heighten any risk. Dr. Parfitt will weigh other factors that could influence the results of surgery such as skin type, age, ethnicity and your expectations of surgery. Once you and Dr. Parfitt arrive at a mutual understanding and trust, he will tailor a treatment plan that is best suited to you.

At your consultation you will receive detailed information of the following:
– Surgical procedure(s)
– Technique indicated
– Type of anesthesia
– Risks involved
– Middleton/Madison on-site surgical facility
– Additional surgery recommendations
– Scheduling and booking options
– Financing policies
– Surgical quote of costs involved

THE SCAR REVISION PROCEDURE

Scar revision is done as an out-patient surgery with “twilight” anesthesia, or local anesthesia in our Madison private surgery center. The goal of a scar revision is to replace an unsightly or disfiguring scar with a better scar, one which is more narrow, more level, blends with the surrounding skin surface, and causes no pull on the surrounding structures. This is achieved by cutting the current scar out and creating a more aesthetic suture line. When removing an existing scar or blemish by excision, every effort is made to place the line of incision in or parallel to one of the normal crease lines of the face or body to make the scar less visible.

Patients seeking a scar revision procedure should be emotionally prepared for the following facts:
– Removal will result in another, less noticeable scar
– The final appearance will not be evident for 6 to 18 months
– More than one procedure may be required

RECOVERING FROM SCAR REVISION

Sutures are located along the incision line and are removed on day 6-post surgery. As with any surgery, some swelling or bruising may occur but generally patients return to their normal lives within a few days after surgery. All patients are required to follow the post-operative instructions to ensure better healing and to reduce any possible complications.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SCAR REVISION: