small nhs proceedure to correct bad looking scar

[what..the?]

I have bad scar on my arm, there was a previous post or two on this site. It was a small cut but due to the angle it was slightly flappy and not meeting would need taping together while it healed etc. Went to local doctor surgery, nurse used a surgical glue but didn't wait for it to dry before letting go as a result it was glued open and was stuck like that for a week. As a result may skin has naturally tried to fill in the gap but I am now left with a large scar, all the area that filled in the gap is scar tissue and is even sunken as my body could not fill the gap completely so the light does catch on the sucken red scar skin.

The scar is in a really bad place on my lower outside edge of my arm just a couple inch up from the knuckle of the wrist so if I even wear a long sleeved top it often still shows when the sleeve rolls up ( i have long arms)

I am wearing a stretchy bandage on it all the time because I hate seeing it and worry people will be like 'yuk' when they see it.

I am thinking of going to my doctor to see if the scar section can be removed and then the flesh rejoined, the scar is very much like a crescent shape so the skin would meet up right......

I didn't know if this is some thing anyone has heard of happening, And if I tell them it is effecting my life and emotions they might help I have a new doctor by the way who seems so much better

[Sqad]

My previous post described your treatment as a standard of health care well below which one would have expected from medical professionals.

On this basis alone, I would ask for referral to a plastic surgeon for reconstruction of the scar.

Then, throw in the bit about the scar affecting your life emotionally.

[rowanwitch]

really stress distress.
restriction on day to day activities(if you have to keep it covered up it must trestrict what you can do after all.....)
They are more likely to do a revision on mental health grounds than anything else

[milly143]

I had a proceedure called z-plasty done which I was told was usually done to improve the appearence of scars (although it was a different reason for me) and that's either a load of tosh or the surgeon was a butcher in a previous life. My scar is about 5 inches from top top to bottom and the whole area is noticeably raised and completely numb. Luckily for me it's in an area where you could only see if I showed you but when I wear certain clothes you can notice the lump under the clothes and the scar line itself has never faded. I was told it would go down after about 18 months - that was 6 years ago. I don't want to scare you but I would think very carefully before having more surgery to correct it.

[bednobs]

i had a look at your previous post, This only happened last month, so i would leave it for some time yet - the appearance may well get better when some more time has passed. I think the "affecting my life" thing might be more persuasive if it had been affecting your life for more than a few weeks.

[what..the?]

ok thanks so much for all this, bednobs is right in that I should wait longer and then I will review the situation, thank you so much for your help and views but if the wound gets no better I will probably seek help...x

[Sqad]

what..the......tell me what do you think is going to happen to that scar? Do you believe in miracles? Leave it and it is going to be full of scar tissue, poor blood supply and possibly granulation tissue......a nightmare for a Plastic Surgeon.

Get it seen to NOW while there is still useful blood supply to the area.

[what..the?]

oh right ok will try and make an appointment now thank you

[Lou_Lou26]

I agree with Sqad - once the scar tissue is there it will be harder to fix. get it done while its still fresh. Take the advise about requesting a plastic surgeon (friend of mine had the same procedure twice by two different surgeons, on a plastic surgeon and one not.... there is definately a difference in the scar appearance). They'll probably create a flap of skin to cover the area and the scar will be minimal. Alternatively you can always create a good cover story for how it got there so people pat you on the back and buy you a drink raither than think 'yuk' when they see it!!

[what..the?]

thanks lou lou

[joko]

i agree do it sooner...you can always try again in the future if they say no

in the meantime perhaps try bio oil...its supposed to help with scars

i have a horribly ugly scar through an appendix op that had complications and went a bit wrong and ive been told it wouldnt make any difference to alter it...

[what..the?]

thanks joko