It is possible to correct scars with plastic surgery and the main objective of this type of procedure is to repair changes in the healing of a wound in any part of the body, whether the reason for the mark is a cut, burn or even previous surgeries. Scar revision in Mumbai seeks to improve the condition or appearance of the scar so that it is more even with your skin tone and surrounding texture.

Scars are visible signs that remain after a wound has healed, are an unavoidable result of injury or surgery, and their development can be unpredictable. Poor healing can contribute to the appearance of unfavourable marks on the skin. Even a wound that heals well can result in a poor appearance.

Although the procedure provides a more pleasant aesthetic result or improves a scar that has had poor healing, such a mark cannot be completely erased. The type of scar you have will determine the appropriate techniques your plastic surgeon in Mumbai will use to smooth the area.

Scar Correction Techniques

There are several techniques to surgically correct a scar, and what will determine which of these procedures will be used is the type, size, location and severity of the scar. It is the surgeon who performs the evaluation and it is he who also determines the best technique to be used, taking into account the patient’s healing history. See below for scar correction techniques.

• Z-plasty: most common technique for scar correction.
• Half z-plasty: chosen when the skin on one side is more elastic and on the other, firmer.
• Z-plasty in four flaps (Limberg flap): works best for cases of release of severe scar contractures that “tie” normal movement. It is also suitable for people who have suffered severe burns.
• Planimetric Z-plasty: as the name implies, it is performed in flat regions and has the help of skin grafts.
• S-plasty: best technique for oval-shaped scars.
• W-plasty: Works well to correct scars that are linear but irregular.
• Broken Geometric Lines: Transforms a long linear scar into a randomly shaped irregular one so that it is less noticeable.
• VY and VY type advancement: best technique for small scars.
• Subcision and filling: ideal for retracted and deep marks, which require filling with fat or hyaluronic acid.
• Dermabrasion: older technique, which can be done manually or with the use of machines.

Usually, a single surgery is able to promote satisfactory results, but there are more complicated cases in which a combination of treatments is recommended.

Scar Correction Indications

Not every scar must be corrected through surgical intervention. There are other treatments, less invasive, that can be indicated by the doctor and that are enough to soften the appearance of the mark. Here are the types of scars that usually require surgical correction:

• Keloid: hardened scar, which grows larger than normal due to excess collagen production. It may itch and turn red
• Hypertrophic: thick scar, also generated by excessive collagen production. May be darker or lighter than the surrounding skin
• Retracted or contracture: causes approximation of the surrounding skin, common in abdominoplasty, cesarean sections and burns. It makes it difficult to move the skin and nearby joints
• Atrophic: scar that goes deeper than the surrounding skin, common in wounds and acne marks
• Dyschromic: changes the colour of the skin, being lighter or darker than the skin around it

It is important to say that the surgical correction of a scar can improve the appearance and even make the skin even, but it does not guarantee the complete disappearance of the mark. Results vary greatly depending on the patient’s skin.

Risks

Like any plastic surgery, scar correction also has its risks. See the main ones:

• Infection
• Swelling
• Bruises
• Risks related to anesthesia
• bad healing

It is important to make it clear that scar correction is a surgery that aims to improve the aesthetics of a mark you have, but it is impossible to guarantee that the healing of the procedure will be perfect. A lot depends on the quality of the skin, the body’s healing process and also on aligning your expectations with reality. Always talk to your plastic surgeon in Malad so he can clear all your doubts.

Preoperative scar correction

Because it is a relatively simple procedure, depending on how the surgery and anesthesia will be, not even fasting will be necessary. Even so, some precautions need to be taken.

• Clear all your doubts in the evaluation consultation. The more you know, the better.
• Be honest when answering the surgeon’s questions
• Take all the tests that the surgeon requests (they are used to assess your general health condition and whether your body is fit to undergo the trauma of surgery)
• Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. It may be necessary to suspend or change the dose depending on the type of medicine
• If you experience flu or cold symptoms on the eve of surgery, tell your doctor right away – a delay may be necessary
• If you are a smoker, you will need to stop the habit at least 30 days before the procedure and you will only be able to resume 30 days later. At least 60 days without smoking

Postoperative

The postoperative period of the scar correction is perhaps the most important part of the treatment. It takes about 1 full year to fully heal. During this time, follow the recommendations of the plastic surgeon in Goregaon and the Realize team so that the healing process is smooth and gives good results.

Attend follow-up appointments and follow up on the evolution of the scar. The more closely you follow the recommendations, the more likely the surgery will be successful.

The initial healing phase may present with localized swelling, discolouration or discomfort and may take 1 to 2 weeks. Healing will continue for several weeks. With dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing, conditions in the treated areas will be the same, in addition to sensitivity in general.

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment. At the end of the procedure, bandages or dressings may be applied to the surgical site to keep it clean.

Surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or movement during the healing period, and it is critical to avoid sun exposure.

Results

The final results of scar revision surgery in Mumbai can take several months and even years to become apparent. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, requiring a new surgery.