C-section scar revision? (Photo)

Question

I'm almost four weeks post an emergency c-section and the scar appears to be healing well, but the stitches seem to have been pulled too tight on one of the sides because there is an indent and a bulge on top. Should I expect that this resolves by itself? If not, how can it be corrected without making an even bigger incision?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Tek Przylecki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! It is a good one! You are 4 weeks from your procedures and very early on the scar healing/maturation timeline. Additionally, you probably still have significant postoperative swelling that can distort tissues around your healing incision. It will take months for things to “settle” and the appearance of the scar and surrounding tissues will change. Usually the appearance continues to improve as the scar softens and remodels and the swelling/edema resolves. This is why most surgeons would wait for at least 4-6 months before offering a scar revision. Should you be unhappy with the eventual appearance, options exist to improve the appearance of the scar and a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can be helpful explaining corrective options. I hope this helps!Wishing you the best!

C-section scar revision? (Photo)

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