Heartbroken over strong possibility of scarring/keloids

I have just started down the path of exploring my plastic surgery options. While one surgeon was quite optimistic about my chances for scarring/keloids and the potential management of the possibility, the other surgeon I consulted was not. He believes I have at least a 50% chance of having some keloids from plastic surgery. Yet, I can't imagine not having plastic surgery. The loose skin is really impacting my self-esteem and is holding me back from my goals of being in a long-term relationship. I would like to do brachioplasty, BL/BA, and full tummy tuck. I guess I just need to make my decisions and go into assuming that I am going to get keloids and decided which would be worse - sagging baggy skin, or the scars.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Either you have had some keloids in the past and had PS, but didn't get them this time or were able to do things to reduce them? Or if you did get keloids after surgery, do you still feel you would have gotten the surgery? I know this is ultimately a really difficult and personal decision, but any insights/input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I have keloids on my RNY incisions. I am looking forward to having breast implants done, but have already been advised to go thru my arm pits. There are soooo many options now-a-days...why let that get u down??? They even have laser scar removal which Ive heard is pretty effective. Do what makes YOU happy...I know I will have full boobies

Thank you, Valeragirl. I am pretty sure I will proceed - I just need to be prepared for the worst case possibilities and have realistic expectations that I will never be a bikini model. Not that I would be, but you know what I mean.

Scars do not heal well on me.  I've had an anchor TT and had a scar revision back in Nov.  They are still raised and red... I just had a BL/BA.. and really have no expectations the scars will be much better.  I can already tell I'm going to have raised scars/keloids...  Its just something I'll have to live with.

Good luck Normabee!  Go ahead with what you really want.  There are ways to minimize and reduce your scars, but with me, they'll never totally go away.  My RNY was 27 months ago and you can still see some of the scars...

Thank you for sharing your experience Jody. I think I just need to be prepared for the reality and deal with it as best I can.

Did you get them with your WLS?   Had them in the past?   

Wishing you luck with your decision.   Although I don't get them .... I have had issues with my skin with psoriasis so I know the fear of being left with something not so attractive.

I had to go off my meds for my plastics and I was 100% clear of psoriasis since I started it a few years back.   It changed my life.   After the 3 weeks off before my surgery I have full plaque on both of my arms ... spots on my chest, back and in the hair.    I will start back on my meds very soon ... but I'm scared to death it will not go away again!    

But ... with that said ... I would still have got the skin removed.   It was worse. 

Good luck.
Tom

Hi Tom,

Thank you for your insights. I didn't get them too badly with my RNY - they are only a tiny bit raised. However, I have a keloid on my upper back/shoulder and got a pretty bad one on my stomach from when I had open gall bladder surgery about 4 years ago - however my one surgeon thinks that because I did not get my staples removed in a timely fashion. My appendectomy scar - which is lower, is normal - so it really is a crap shoot.

At the end of the day, I have to make the choice - what is worse - scars or the excess skin? I think I know the answer.

I hope that your meds will fully work again - it sounds like there is no reason they wouldn't, but I can understand the worry.

Best of luck and thanks again!
Norma Bee

I had a TT/brachio in October.  The lower section (near the elbow) of one arm went quite keloid.  The rest of that scar looks great - unfortunately that part is under my armpit! lol  The other arm has a bit of raised areas....but is much better.  My TT scar (full anchor) is slightly raised in some areas but nothing as bad as that one arm.

I've been using CicaCare silocon gell sheets and medipore tape on my arms and the verticle incision on my TT.  I think it is makin g a little bit of a difference....I might have to go for a revision on my arm scar this summer.

Even with this = I'd do it again in a heartbeat....

However - I will say that I went into this eyes-wide-open.  I KNEW I'd never be a bikini model - no matter WHAT magic he perfomed.

I have nasty raised, red and purple, lumpy scars from my sleeve surgery, and it's the thing I most hate about  this whole journey.  That being said, I'm exploring the possibility of a breast lift because I am beginning to accept that scarring may be the lesser of two evils.  At least with a perfect figure covered in scars, I will look good in clothes and have an easier time shopping.  With a scar-free, saggy body, dressing is a challenge and good luck finding a bathingsuit when your boobs are an F-cup that sags to your navel, so that seems worth it to me!