Some of the questions we at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics get for consideration, as possible Questions of the Week don’t involve the usual body-sculpting procedures most people think of when they think of cosmetic surgery. These questions involve things that cosmetic surgeons can certainly do but aren’t usually top of mind for patients. This week’s Question of the Week comes from Jupiter, Florida, and asks, “What is the maximum width of a scar eligible for revision?” The patient adds that the scar is widened and slightly depressed, and located on the apple of the cheek. This interested our Chief Medical Officer and founder, Dr. Thomas A. Pane, because it gave him a chance to discuss something on-air that is often overlooked in favor of “sexier” procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tucks and similar body-sculpting procedures.
Dr. Pane observed that one big question he had was how long the scar had been there. In the interest of giving a complete answer, he elected to assume that the scar had been present long enough to have healed to a point that made revision of the scar viable. He noted that there is no maximum width for scar revision, but other considerations such as the patient’s age and overall skin condition were likely to have a far larger impact on the prognosis for the outcome of the procedure than the size of the scar itself. However, as with any other procedure a patient might be considering, an in-person office visit to assess the scar and the patient overall should always be the first step.
Keeping this in mind, Dr. Pane said that with patients that are located at a distance, he can give the patient a fairly good idea of what to expect from reviewing photos of the scar and a basic medical history that includes age and other factors that may influence healing. This would still only be a prelude to an in-person clinical analysis, but would give the patient some idea of the prognosis before the patient made a lengthy trip, just in case the patient proved not to be a suitable candidate for reasons that could be easily screened for beforehand.
A scar revision procedure is intended to make the scar blend in better with the patient’s surrounding skin in both color and texture. The reason it is called “revision” and not “erasure” is because it is not possible to completely remove a scar, even with the most advanced techniques available today. A scar is the result of a wound healing, much like the callus that forms over a healed break in a bone. The type of injury, the care the initial wound receives, the severity of the injury and the patient’s overall health, skin type and healing ability all impact how a scar might appear.
The method of scar revision and the overall results a patient can anticipate depend on whether the scar is raised or depressed, the length of the scar, how long the scar has been present, the location on the body and the patient’s physical and environmental factors. These are just a few things that might impact the end result of scar revision procedures, and of course a general answer cannot take into account every possible variable or complex of variables that may make these procedures more or less effective.
One crucial factor in determining the success of any surgical procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, is to follow the aftercare instructions diligently and report anything that is or might be unusual or problematic to your surgeon immediately. Limiting environmental and habitual factors like smoking and drinking, especially immediately after the procedure, can also make a big difference. Finally, seeking out the best-qualified surgeon possible to perform the procedure is one of the best ways to help ensure an outcome that is in line with patient expectations.
If you are interested in learning more about cosmetic surgery or have been considering undergoing a cosmetic procedure but have questions, we at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics would love to hear them! You can ask us on Facebook, call us at 561-422-4116or send us an email at https://acplasticsurg.com. Chances are you’re not the only one with your question, and by asking, you just might find your question being answered on the air by Dr. Pane himself! We are very proud to put patient education first and foremost in everything we do, and the question you ask might help a lot of people beyond yourself by helping them get the data they need to make an informed decision about whether cosmetic surgery is right for them.