Do You Need a Referral for Scar Revision Surgery?

Scar revision surgery changes the scar’s shape, direction, or tension; it does not erase the history of an injury or operation. A referral may not be necessary to contact a plastic surgeon, but the surgeon must examine the scar and surrounding tissue before recommending an approach.

The assessment considers whether the scar is mature, raised, depressed, tight, painful, or limiting movement. The cause of the scar, previous treatments, skin conditions, smoking, medicines, and tendency to form thick or raised scars can all influence planning.

Ask the practice whether you can book directly, whether a referral is required by its facility, and which records to bring. Take details of the original injury or operation, previous scar treatments, allergies, medicines, and any problems with anaesthesia or wound healing.

Discuss the proposed incision, anaesthesia, wound care, expected scar changes, alternatives, and the possibility that revision may improve but not remove the scar. Do not schedule elective surgery while the area is infected or actively breaking down.

Seek medical review for a scar that becomes rapidly larger, hot, increasingly painful, draining, or associated with fever. A new lump, persistent bleeding, ulceration, or restricted movement also deserves assessment before cosmetic planning.

Ask whether surgery is suitable now, what type of scar you have, how your healing history affects recurrence, what non-surgical options exist, and which wound changes need urgent attention.