How Soon After Cervical Spine Surgery Can I Have The Scar Revised?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I had cervical spine surgery via anterior approach about eight weeks ago. I had internal stitches and external Steri-Strips. I was allowed to use mederma and silicone scar sheets 4 weeks postop and I have been doing that. Do you have any recommendations as to what I can do for my scar? It is bumpy in some parts and depressed in the others. And dark. I massage it twice a day and use silicone scar sheets I tried to attach pictures, but I’m not sure if it worked or not. Thank you.

A: Such scars take 9 to 12 months to fully mature. Time and patience is what you need. If by 6 months it is not trending towards good aesthetic improvement then have a scar revision done.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon