Cheek Scar Revision

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in cheek scar revision.  I have got scar tissue in my mouth and cheeks from multiple cheek procedures. cheek (implants, cheek implant shave down, cheek implant removal, revision implant placement). I also had jaw and chin work done two times. It caused lots of scar tissue. My lips move weirdly now and is thick in my cheeks. Can scar revision be done to cut out the scar tissue? Can anything can be done to reduce it or remove it? Thank you for your time.

A: I would not think about scar tissue removal as that would just make things worse. You fundamentally have a tissue deficiency (which is really what scar tissue really is) which is why your lip vestibule is tight and tethers your lips from a normal outward movement and stretch. What you really need for a cheek scar revision is scar tissue release and the placement of small interpositional dermal-fat graft to help restore lip flexibility and prevent recurrence. The placement of an autologous tissue graft between the lips and the underlying maxillary bone fills in the tissue gap that is created by the scar release and returns needed healthy tissue to the area.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana