LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hello Dr. Lam

I had a scar on on my cheek which was recently excised. The stitches were removed about 3 weeks ago. The new scar that I have now is fairly wide and slightly depressed.

1) Is there anything I can do to make this look better?
2) Laser treatments?
3) Fat Transplant?
4) Should I get this re-excised?
5) Can I wear some makeup over this in order to try to cover it up?

Again, the stiches from the excision only came out about three weeks ago but I do not know why the new scar / red area is so wide and slightly depressed. I thought the excision was supposed to creat a hairline scar at the same level as the rest of my skin. I am attaching some pictures for your review. Please let me know what you think will work (I do not want to do silicone droplets -- any other procedure that you could recomend will be greatly appreciated).

Thank you!

P.S the Pictures appear very large when I uploaded them here. If you right click and save it onto your CPU you will be able to see them better. Or you can just scroll on the picture in this window to see the scar. The scar is on my left cheek.

first, if you just had it done 3 weeks ago, please ask your doctor what he thinks. that is only fair. fat transfer is unnecessary and unsafe to fill a defect. laser treatments can help the redness but not the depression. re-excision this early on may be a bit premature. give it a few months to see if the area fills in and fades with time. if it does not, then re-excision (with no guarantees) may be your best option. additional techniques if not done the first time may help like multi-layer closing, vertical mattress closure to elevate the incision so that when it heals it heals flatter, pre-Botox to limit stretchback, and aggressive post-op taping. in any situation, it still might stretchback. start with your own doctor but if things don't get better over the next few months, let me know.

Thank you for your reply. Just a quick follow up question. One plastic surgeon that I saw my scar personally recommended a treatment of two lasers: (1) the Alma Harmony Infrared ST Skin Tightening laser to build new collagen and fill the depression; and (2) a Pixel laser to smooth out the edges of the scar. They told me that it would work perfect for a scar like the one that I have. They told me that since my scar was only slightly depressed the Infrared laser would help fill it in and the Pixel would make it blend in better.

What do you think about this treatment? Thank you again!

PLEASE DO NOT DO EITHER ONE. I own both lasers and they are not intended for what you have. the only thing i would recommend if you wanted would be a laser to speed up the red reduction, but that should dissipate over time without anything further. the lasers you have been advised to do i both own and would not give it to you for your situation. that is my humble opinion.
best,
sml

Thank you again Doctor. I know this may be too early but may I schedule the surgery with you now? I understand that there is about a two month wait with you for any procedure and because of travel plans that I have I may not be able to schedule something after the next 2 and half months or so because I will be out of the country for an extended period of time. I do not see myself being happy with the way this will heal. I would really like to begin the final healing process as soon as possible and think that a procedure with you leave a better scar. I know that you said it may be premature but I do not see this scar filling in and healing as I would like it to. Please let me know if I could schedule something with you as soon as possible. I would be coming from out of town.

ok, given the circumstance, i can go in earlier to fix it. 2 to 3 months after the initial excision is aggressive but given the appearance i think it is reasonable to do it given your limitations. you can contact marcy@lamfacialplastics.com to schedule things.
best,
sml