Can anything be done to improve a scar from a Whipple operation? (photo)

Question

I had the Whipple operation in 2006 at Mayo Clinic. The scar is very long and looks like a frown on my abdomen. I am very self conscious regarding it. Can anything be done to improve the appearance. The muscles of the abdomen were cut and I now have a bulge. Than you.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

A combination of revision and lasers would be able to improve this scar. Co2 laser is the most effective, it has a lot of downtime.  Ematrix works great for acne scars but takes many treatments for body and other surgical scars.  I suggest seeing a lasers and scarring for a formal evaluation.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  Improvement in a surgical scar can be performed, while also correcting any underlying muscle laxity, by way of a surgical revision.  The older scar can be surgically removed and with this exposure the underlying musculature can be tightened before closing the overlying skin in such a manner as to avoid any indentation.  Be sure to see an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to discuss your options.

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Can anything be done to improve a scar from a Whipple operation? (photo)

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