What Type Of Scar Revision Is Best For My Abdominal Scar?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in abdominal scar revision. I’m a 22 year old female who had a major surgery resulting from a self inflicted wound that occurred in a more troubled time as a youth. I still have the ugly scar and started research on my z-plasty scar revision for two years now. I’d love to do a consult with you. I’m turning 23 this year and would love to be in my first two piece. I have attached a photo of “my struggle”. Hope to hear from you soon.

A: When it comes to your abdominal scar revision, I see no reason why you would ever have a z-plasty type revision. Your scar revision would be a straight linear scar revision in which the scar is simple vertically excisioned and then closed in a linear fashion. This is the only type of scar revision you should ever have. While it will not make the scar go completely away, it will make it much more narrow.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana