Gregory J. Liebscher, MD, FACS

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.surgery.org), the success and safety of your plastic surgery procedure depends very much on our complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your

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What Is Scar Revision Surgery?

2011-06-20T21:09:00.001-07:00

Scar revision is a procedure performed on a scar to alter the appearance of the scar. The revision may improve the appearance of the scar or restore function to a part of the body that may have been restricted by the scar. It is important to remember that scars cannot be completely removed.
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What is a scar?
A scar is the body’s natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. A scar is usually composed of fibrous tissue. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue. Scars may appear anywhere on the body, and the composition of a scar may vary – appearing flat, lumpy, sunken, or colored. It may be painful or itchy. The final look of a scar depends of many factors, including the skin type and location on the body, the direction of the wound, the type of injury, age of the person with the scar, and his/her nutritional status.
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What are the different types of scars and treatment?
There are many different types of scars, including the following:
keloid scars—These are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that grow at the site of a wound on the skin, but beyond the edges of the borders of the wound. They often appear red or darker in color, as compared to the surrounding normal skin. Keloids are formed from collagen that the body produces after a wound has healed. These scars may appear anywhere on the body. They occur more often in darker-skinned people. Keloid scars may occur up to one year after the original trauma to the skin.Treatment for keloid scars varies. There is no one simple cure for keloid scars. Recurrence after treatment is common. Treatment may include the following:
steroid injections—Steroids are injected directly into the scar tissue to help decrease the itching, redness, and burning sensations that these scars may produce. Sometimes, the injections help to actually decrease the size of the scar.

cryotherapy—Cryotherapy involves the scar being “frozen” off by a medication.

pressure therapy—Pressure therapy involves a type of pressure appliance worn over the area of the scar. These may be worn day and night for up to four to six months.

surgery—If the keloid scar is not responsive to nonsurgical management options, surgery may be performed. One type of surgery directly removes the scar formation with an incision, and stitches are placed to help close the wound. Sometimes, skin grafts are used to help close the wound. This involves replacing or attaching skin to an area that is missing skin. Skin grafts are performed by taking a piece of healthy skin from another area of the body (called the donor site) and attaching it to the needed area.Another option is laser surgery. Scars may be treated with a variety of different lasers, depending on the underlying cause of the scar. Lasers may be used to smooth a scar, remove the abnormal color of a scar, or flatten a scar. Most laser therapy for scars is done in conjunction with other treatments, including injections of steroids, use of special dressings, and the use of bandages. Multiple treatments may be required, regardless of the initial type of therapy.

hypertrophic scars—Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloid scars; however, their growth is confined within the boundaries of the original skin defect. These scars may also appear red, and are usually thick and elevated. Hypertrophic scars usually start to develop within weeks after the injury to the skin. Hypertrophic scars may improve naturally, although this process may take up to a year or more.In treating hypertrophic scars, steroids may be the first line of therapy with this type of scar, although there is not one simple cure. Steroids may be given as an injection or by direct application. These scars may also be removed surgically. Often, steroid injections are used along with the surgery and may continue up to two years after the surgery to help maximize healing and decrease the chance of the scar returning.

contractures—Contractures are an abnormal occurrence that happens when a large area of skin is damaged and lost, resulting in a scar. The scar formation pulls the edges of the skin together, causing a tight area of skin. The decrease in the size of the skin can then affect the muscles, joints, and tendons, causing a decrease in movement. There are many different surgical treatment options for contractures. Some of which may include the following:
skin graft or skin flap—Skin grafts or skin flaps are done after the scar tissue is removed. Skin grafts involve replacing or attaching skin to a part of the body that is missing skin. Skin grafts are performed by taking a piece of healthy skin from another area of the body (called the donor site) and attaching it to the needed area. Skin flaps are similar to skin grafts, where a part of the skin is taken from another area, but with the skin flaps, the skin that is retrieved has its own blood supply. The section of skin used includes the underlying blood vessels, fat, and muscles. Flaps may be used when that area that is missing the skin does not have a good supply of blood because of the location or because of damage to the vessels.

Z-plasty—A Z-plasty is a type of procedure that is used to revise a scar by using a Z-shaped incision to help decrease the amount of contractures of the surrounding skin. It also may attempt to relocate the scar so that the edges of the scar look more like the normal lines and creases of the skin. Small stitches may be used to help hold the skin in place.

tissue expansion—Tissue expansion is a newer technique being used, and involves a process that increases the amount of existing tissue available for reconstructive purposes. This procedure is often used in addition to the flap surgery.

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Recovery from scar revision surgery:
As with all surgeries, it is important to follow all instructions to help maximize recovery and healing. Your physician will advise you on all activity restrictions, depending on the type of surgery that was performed. Scars cannot be removed completely. Many factors will be involved in the degree of healing of your particular scar, with some scars taking more than a year to show improvement in appearance following surgery.
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» More about: Body Plastic Surgery
» More about: Facial Plastic Surgery
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Dr. Greg Liebscher is Mayo Clinic-trained, ASPS Member and ABPS board-certified plastic surgeon in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
»More about: Dr. Greg Liebscher, ASPS Member Plastic Surgeon
»More about procedures for: Breasts • Body • Facial

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We're now on Tumblr

2011-06-15T12:19:00.001-07:00

Just created Tumblr account:

http://springsplasticsurgery.tumblr.com

Cheers.

Dr. Greg Liebscher

Just created Tumblr account: http://springsplasticsurgery.tumblr.com Cheers. Dr. Greg Liebscher ...

What Is Liposuction?

2011-05-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat through a suctioning process. Although liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, it is a way of changing the body's shape and contour.

What are some different liposuction techniques?

Some of the different liposuction techniques include the following:

Tumescent technique

The tumescent technique involves the injection of a large quantity of a medical solution into a fatty area. The medical solution is a combination of drugs that numb the area, as well as shrink the capillaries and prevent blood loss. After the injection, a small incision is made into the skin and a tube connected to a vacuum is inserted into the fatty mass. The fat is then suctioned out.

Super-wet technique

Similar to the tumescent technique, the super-wet procedure uses a smaller amount of the injected medical solution. After the injection, a small incision is made into the skin and a tube connected to a vacuum is inserted into the fatty mass. The fat is then suctioned out.

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty

In the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty, a special tube that produces ultrasound energy is used. This ultrasound energy breaks down the walls of the fat cells turning them to liquid. The fat is then suctioned out.

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Dr. Liebscher is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

» Learn more about: Dr. Liebscher, Colorado Springs Liposuction

» Learn more about: Dr. Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgery

What Is Laser Surgery?

2011-05-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Laser surgery is a type of surgery that uses special light beams instead of instruments for surgical procedures. L.A.S.E.R. is actually and acronym which stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers were first developed in 1960. Newer laser modifications continue to have a large impact on medical and surgical practices. A large part of their impact has been seen in the treatment of various skin lesion and diseases.

How does a laser work?

The functioning of a laser goes back to Albert Einstein's quantum theory of radiation and includes other theories that help explain local tissue damage. As the light beam hits the skin, the skin may either reflect the light away, scatter the light, absorb the light, or let the light pass right through the different layers of the skin. Each layer of the skin uses the light differently.

Certain parts of the skin, called chromophones, absorb the light. When these chromophones absorb the light, physical, mechanical, chemical, or temperature changes may occur in the tissue.

There are many different types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide laser, the YAG (neodymium, or yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the argon laser. Each one works in a different manner and may be used for different treatment options. Laser light can be delivered either continuously or intermittently.

What types of surgeries use lasers?

There are many indications for the use of lasers in surgery. The following are some of the more common indications:

to remove tumors
to help prevent blood loss by sealing small blood vessels
to seal lymph vessels to help decrease swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
to treat some skin conditions, including to remove or improve warts, moles, tattoos, birthmarks, scars, and wrinkles (Facial Plastic Surgery)

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Dr. Liebscher is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

» Learn more about: Dr. Liebscher, Colorado Springs Plastic Surgery.

What Is Flap Surgery?

2011-04-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Flap surgery involves transporting healthy, live tissue from one location of the body to another - often to areas that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. There are several different types of flap surgery methods that may be utilized, depending upon the location of the flap and the structures that need to be repaired. For example, flap surgery is a procedure that uses tissue from the tummy, back, thighs, or buttocks for breast reconstruction.

Types of flap surgery include the following:

local flap - is located next to the wound; the skin remains attached at one end in order that the blood supply is left intact.
regional flap - uses a section of tissue that is attached by a specific blood vessel.
bone/soft tissue flap - this type of flap is often used when bone and the overlying skin are transported to a new location.
musculocutaneous flap (muscle and skin flap) - this type of flap is often used when the area to be covered needs more bulk and an increased blood supply. This type of flap is often used to rebuild a breast following a mastectomy.
microvascular free flap - involves detaching and reattaching skin and blood vessels from one site of the body to another site. Microsurgery is used to attach the blood vessels.

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Dr. Liebscher is a Mayo Clinic-trained and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Learn more about: Breast Reconstruction Surgery.

[Image source: http://www.cancer.org]

Welcome to My New Blog On Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

2011-04-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

On this blog, I will share updates on plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures, news, my practice, and safety. You can always learn more about my plastic surgery practice at my website:

http://springsplasticsurgery.com