Recovery and scarring

The most common mistake patients make with scars is judging them too early.

At 6 weeks – when you’re feeling recovered and returning to normal life – scars are typically still red, raised and very visible. This is normal and isn’t what they’ll look like at 12 months. From the 6-week point, thoughtful scar care is essential to achieving a refined, natural result.

What I recommend for each patient varies depending on the procedure and the individual, but the principles are consistent:

1 - Protect the scar from the sun for at least a year (UV exposure darkens immature scars in a way that is very difficult to reverse)

2 - Use gentle, technique-led scar massage

3 - Use medical-grade silicon products

4 - Keep the scar moisturised and attend follow-up appointments so I can monitor how things are progressing.

Your scar care plan is individualised and reviewed over time, ensuring the best possible long-term outcome. Your follow-up appointments are included as part of your care and the first is typically at 6 weeks.

When to call

Recovery should follow a broadly improving pattern. Day by day, week by week, things get better. When that pattern changes, that's when to reach out.

Specific signs to look out for include:

• Pain that is increasing rather than decreasing after the first 48 to 72 hours
• A temperature above 38°C
• Increasing redness, warmth or swelling around the wound
• Any sudden change in the appearance of the wound
• Significant swelling on one side only
• Anything that feels different from what you were told to expect

I encourage early contact if something doesn’t feel right, often simple reassurance or early intervention is all that’s needed.

Ongoing support

Recovery isn’t the most glamorous part of this process. But it is the most important. The patients who treat it seriously, who rest when they’re told to and ask questions when something concerns them, have consistently better experiences and outcomes.

Surgery is a partnership. My role doesn’t end when you leave theatre. The support and guidance continue for as long as you need them – through the difficult first week, through the plateau and through the months of gradual improvement that follow. You won’t be left to manage this alone. I believe reassurance and access are key elements of high-quality care which is why you’ll receive clear, well-considered post-operative guidance; direct access to my team for any concerns and prompt review if anything requires assessment

When you’re ready to start the conversation about what surgery and recovery will look like for you, I’ll be glad to meet with you.