• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Scar revision

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Keloid revision; Hypertrophic scar revision; Scar repair

Expectations after surgery:

A pressure or elastic dressing may be placed over the area after the operation to prevent the keloid from coming back. For other types of scar revision, a light dressing is applied. Sutures are usually removed in 3 to 4 days for the facial area, and in 5 to 7 days for incisions on other parts of the body.

Convalescence:

When you return to normal activities and work depends on the type, degree, and location of the surgery. Most people can resume normal activities soon after surgery. Doctors usually recommend that you avoid activities that stretch and may widen the new scar.

If you have long-term stiffening of the joint, you may need physical therapy in addition to surgery to restore full function.

Avoid exposure to the sun for several months after treatment. Use sunblock or a dressing (such as a Band-Aid) to keep the sun from permanently tanning the healing scar.

• Review Date: 5/3/2007
• Reviewed By: Robert A. Cowles, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.