Below are examples of patients who have undergone minimally invasive parathyroidectomy under local anesthesia.  Scars are shown in different age groups with different skin types and during different times in the healing process.  You will note that as time from surgery increases, the color fades and the already tiny incisions becomes virutally invisible.  Also, patients have been asked to stretch the neck to demonstrate the site of surgery.  Under normal, relaxed conditions, incicions are almost impossible to find. 

This is a woman in her mid 20's that underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. On the left, you can see the appearance of the neck 5 days after surgery. At times, it is necessary to have these early pictures because these small incisions heal so well that you have a hard time finding them once the healing process is complete. The picture to the right is the same woman nearly on year after surgery.

Similar age group (20's), several months status post minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. This is a magnified view of a scar measuring just uner 2 cm. Note the length and thickness of the scar compared to the neck crease where it lies. The only reason it is visible now is because we have asked her to stretch her neck by leaning her head back. In 12 months, this will become virtually invisible even with the neck stretched.

On the left, you see a patient in her 30's with slightly darker skin, approximately three months after minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. On the right, you have the same patient 6 months after surgery. As the color normalizes, the scar begins to disappear.

Patient in her 40's one year out of minimally invasive parathyroid surgery.  The scar is on the lower right in this picture (the patient's left side). 

Woman in her 50's, three months out from minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.  This is another example of temporary redness that is typical within a few months after surgery.  Again, at one year, the scar is pale and virtually invisible.

Man in his 40's 6 months after minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.