Scar Revision for Breast

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Corpus Christi and South Texas

Reconstructive scar revision is the method for improving the visibility of scars on your skin and repairing skin damaged from trauma, piercings and other  lesion removals, etc.  With scar revision, the skin and the underlying tissues can be treated to better hide the appearance of scars and make them less conspicuous.

Help Your Body and Mind Heal from Scarring 

Some people might find scars attractive, like action movie fans.  But most of us don’t enjoy looking at a scar every time we look in the mirror, especially in our face.  Scars can intrude on the appearance we want.  They can also remind us of unpleasant or traumatic events that caused the scarring.  With scar removal and revision, we focus on eliminating that unattractive interruption to your attractive features.  Scars might also cause a loss of self-esteem and negative body image.  We want you to feel great about yourself.

Herve F. Gentile, MD, FACS can help you regain that self-confidence.  Reconstructive scar removal can help you reclaim the vision of yourself you want, not the one misfortune has forced upon you. If you want to learn more about how Dr. Gentile can help you reconstruct that scar you dislike, schedule a consultation online or call our Corpus Christi office at (361) 881-9999.  If you prefer, we can set you up with a virtual consultation.

About Scar Revision in Corpus Christi

Scar revision aims to make your visible scar more invisible and smooth as possible.  Depending on the nature of your scar, we may need to schedule several sessions to achieve the desired results.

What Type of Scars Can Be Removed?

  • Raised scars (hypertrophic or keloid)
  • Large and/or plainly visible scars 
  • Scars with discoloration (hyperpigmented)
  • Scars that show as depressions in the skin

Benefits

  • Greatly reduce the visibility of your scar 
  • Camouflage any remaining scar tissue
  • Improve your confidence and self-esteem related to a scar 

Ideal Candidates

scar revision corpus christi

You’re an ideal candidate for scar revision if you maintain a healthy lifestyle (that includes not smoking) and you have a scar you wish to reduce.  It’s important that you have realistic expectations and understand that scars cannot be completely removed but only improved becase your skin can’t be restored to the exact state it was in before scarring or piercing mishaps.  However, your appearance can be improved dramatically with the right treatment performed by an experienced plastic surgeon such as Dr. Gentile.

Your Personal Consultation With Dr. Gentile

When considering having your scar removed, it’s important to find a surgeon you can trust.  We understand that scars can be sensitive topics.  Dr. Gentile wants you to feel at home when discussing your scar.  During your consultation, you can expect a thorough review of your medical history, a careful examination of your scar(s), and a discussion about your goals and expectations.

Dr. Gentile possesses the surgical expertise to select the best strategy for your scar revision. 

When picking a plastic surgeon, most medical professionals emphasize picking one who is board-certified.  Dr. Gentile was one of the first doctors to become triple board-certified (by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and The American Board of Otolaryngology).  He currently serves as Diplomate of all three organizations, a rare and prestigious accomplishment that speaks to his dedication to his calling of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

In Dr. Gentile, you aren’t just hiring an expert in his field, but also a compassionate and caring surgeon.  He devotes a lot of his free time to perform reconstructive surgery on children with birth defects who could not afford a plastic surgeon.  He has the disposition to listen to your needs and desires before developing a revision strategy.  Dr. Gentile places his patient’s safety as his first priority.  He will never jeopardize your health and wellness to make a profit on a procedure.  Please read his mission statement for further details.

Preparation

You’ll be provided with a set of personalized instructions on how to best prepare for your scar treatment.  In general, you should abstain from smoking in the months leading up to your treatment and following.  Also refrain from taking any anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, and Motrin for two weeks before your treatment as they can interfere with your body’s healing.

How Is Reconstructive Scar Revision Done?

Dr. Gentile selects from a variety of techniques to perform reconstructive scar removal.  After examining your scar and assessing your medical history, he can formulate a plan that incorporates the approaches best suited for your case. 

Silicone Gels, Sheets, or Creams

The least invasive treatment for scars is the application of silicone sheets, gels, and creams.  These topical solutions work in several ways to reduce scarring.  First, they protect the area from from irritation and harmful bacteria which causes excessive inflammation in the area.  Next, they modulate and balance collagen production to a normal level which prevents excess scar tissue formation.  They also hydrate the skin while also allowing the skin “to breath” which helps achieve soft skin and a flatter scar.[1]

Steroid Injections

The main use of steroid injections lies in flattening the scar.  They can also reduce the redness that surrounds the scar tissue.  Corticosteroids are usually selected with triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) being the most popular for its efficacy.  TAC injections can be used by themselves or in conjunction with surgical removal.  Studies show that TAC works safely and effectively to flatten keloid scars, reduce the annoying itching symptoms associated with scars, and in preventing scar recurrence.[2]

Dermal Filler Injections

Different scars require different treatments.  Dr. Gentile has many techniques in his armamentarium for scar removal.  Acne and chickenpox scars often cause depressions which require different treatments than raised keloid scars.  In particular, fillers formulated with hyaluronic acid are used to fill the depressions from certain types of scars, particularly boxcar and rolling scars.[3]  Dermal fillers won’t be effective in treating raised keloid or hypertrophic type scars.

Dermabrasion 

Often to smooth scars dermabrasion is employed.  It is a painless, cost effective and quick method to improve scars. To correct issues with discoloration such as hyperpigmentation that can result from scarring, chemical peels can be employed.  In addition peels can remove the outermost layer of skin, disposing of the dead and damaged skin cells resulting in fresh new skin.  All these method work great at improving skin tone and texture.  

Surgical Removal/Scar Revision 

Surgical scar removal can include several different methods which depend on the nature of the scar.  A simple scar excision removes small amounts of tissue around the boundary of the scar to promote the normal tissue at the borders of the scar.  Chance of complications and optimal results through surgical excision can be achieved with scrupulous planning, advanced surgical skills, and experience in reconstructive scar revision.[5]  For some scars, a more involved method might be necessary, such as Z-plasty.  Z-plasty is an advanced technique that can redirect the scar tissue into the folds of the skin.  Z-plasty gets it name from the Z-shaped incision used to either re-direct or better camouflage the scar.[6]

Healthy Recovery

Your recovery will depend on which methods Dr. Gentile utilizes for scar removal.  In general, patients should expect 1-2 weeks of some minor swelling and mild discomfort. To experience the full benefits, it takes a few months while the body continues to heal.  Make sure to follow all aftercare instructions provided to you by Dr. Gentile.

Enduring Results

The results of scar revision are long-lasting.  While some scars may flare up again, the risk of this can be minimized by selecting a surgeon with experience in scar revision and removal such as Dr. Gentile. 

How Much Does Scar Repair Cost?

The cost of repair procedures depends on which methods are necessary.  Combining several techniques to hide a complex scar will be more expensive.  After Dr. Gentile reviews your medical history and examines your scar, he can provide you with a complete cost breakdown.

FAQ

Is Scar Revision Painful?

Some methods of scar removal can cause discomfort.  In these cases, you’ll be given the appropriate anesthesia to numb the region and any aftercare prescriptions to aid in recovery.

Can Scars Be Completely Removed?

No treatment will erase the scar completely as if it never happened.  However, a scar’s visibility can be greatly reduced with the proper techniques and, over time, any remaining scar tissue will fade.

References

  1. Puri, N., & Talwar, A. (2009). The efficacy of silicone gel for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 2(2), 104–106. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.58527
  2. Morelli Coppola, M., Salzillo, R., Segreto, F., & Persichetti, P. (2018). Triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection for the treatment of keloid scars: patient selection and perspectives. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 11, 387–396. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S133672
  3. Wollina, U., & Goldman, A. (2015). Fillers for the improvement in acne scars. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 8, 493–499. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S86478
  1. Garg, S., Dahiya, N., & Gupta, S. (2014). Surgical scar revision: an overview. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 7(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.129959
  2. Aasi S. Z. (2010). Z-plasty made simple. Dermatology research and practice, 2010, 982623. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/982623