hypertrophic or keloid scars
Has anyone else had issues with hypertrophic or keloid scars?
About half of my scars from my TT and brachio healed WONDERFULLY (surgery last October) to the point that they are flat, white and nearly invisible. The other half (of course - the parts that are most visible - lower down on the arms and the vertical incision of my TT) have gone red, raised and ropey.
I tried silicon scar sheets - but not until about 2 months out of surgery (after they had already started to go keloid). This stopped them from getting worse ( I guess, who knows if they would have or not), but didn't cause any improvement, despite wearing them 23 hours a day. I also tried custom made compression sleeves (like burn victims wear). My scars seemed to lighten a bit, but that's all.
I am going for a breast lift on August 2nd and he is going to revise the scars. He seems confident we can get that half of the scars looking the same as the others.
My question is - what do I need to do to ensure that I get the best possible result? Have any of you been given more strict lifting restrictions? What about compression? Silicon sheets - when did you start and for how long? Any other advice?
My PS is awesome and I am very happy with the results...I just want those nice, flat, white scars so people stop asking me "OMG - what HAPPENED to your arms!!??!!" Ok - not many people ask this, but I can FEEL them thinking it! ;0)
About half of my scars from my TT and brachio healed WONDERFULLY (surgery last October) to the point that they are flat, white and nearly invisible. The other half (of course - the parts that are most visible - lower down on the arms and the vertical incision of my TT) have gone red, raised and ropey.
I tried silicon scar sheets - but not until about 2 months out of surgery (after they had already started to go keloid). This stopped them from getting worse ( I guess, who knows if they would have or not), but didn't cause any improvement, despite wearing them 23 hours a day. I also tried custom made compression sleeves (like burn victims wear). My scars seemed to lighten a bit, but that's all.
I am going for a breast lift on August 2nd and he is going to revise the scars. He seems confident we can get that half of the scars looking the same as the others.
My question is - what do I need to do to ensure that I get the best possible result? Have any of you been given more strict lifting restrictions? What about compression? Silicon sheets - when did you start and for how long? Any other advice?
My PS is awesome and I am very happy with the results...I just want those nice, flat, white scars so people stop asking me "OMG - what HAPPENED to your arms!!??!!" Ok - not many people ask this, but I can FEEL them thinking it! ;0)
Proud Member of the Cambridge Crew! 
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
Hi Erica,
I haven't had PS, but a while back when I had surgery on my forearm for a multiple compound fracture. I ended up with 2 scars about 6" long; one on each side of my arm. The one on the bottom is much flatter, but the one that is more visible, turned keloidal and stayed red for quite a while. This was about 13 years ago and I can tell you that even though the worst of the scars is wide (about the width of my thumb in some places), the are totally flat and white. I never thought it would happen, and it did take several years to achieve this, but nevertheless, both scars look much better than the did the first year out. The interesting thing is that the scar from my c-section is absolutely normal and you can barely see it now three years later. Also, my scars from WLS are already flat and barely red. I wonder if arms are particularly susceptible to keloid scars for some reason??
I haven't had PS, but a while back when I had surgery on my forearm for a multiple compound fracture. I ended up with 2 scars about 6" long; one on each side of my arm. The one on the bottom is much flatter, but the one that is more visible, turned keloidal and stayed red for quite a while. This was about 13 years ago and I can tell you that even though the worst of the scars is wide (about the width of my thumb in some places), the are totally flat and white. I never thought it would happen, and it did take several years to achieve this, but nevertheless, both scars look much better than the did the first year out. The interesting thing is that the scar from my c-section is absolutely normal and you can barely see it now three years later. Also, my scars from WLS are already flat and barely red. I wonder if arms are particularly susceptible to keloid scars for some reason??
Referral Sent: March 19, 2010
Surgery date with Dr. Denis Hong: December 9, 2010
I had a keloid scar on my leg from my teens that eventually went white and flat (after about 10-15 years). So maybe it's a limb thing. Although the vertical scar from the TT is not that pretty either (although not as bad as the arms).
I did have an "incident" where I grabbed for my dog and stretched my left arm about a week or so out...and that arm has a much worse scar. So I still wonder if exertion has something to do with it....
I did have an "incident" where I grabbed for my dog and stretched my left arm about a week or so out...and that arm has a much worse scar. So I still wonder if exertion has something to do with it....
Proud Member of the Cambridge Crew!
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
I used bio oil and massaged the scars each morning. So I'm not sure that helped.
I think I'll be walking around like the bride of Frankenstein this time, protecting my arms and refusing to lift my own fork for about a year. Lol
Honestly? Even if the scars came back, it's still worth it. Took me awhile, but I now "let my freak flag fly" and wave those scars around! I dare some to ask me! Lol
I think I'll be walking around like the bride of Frankenstein this time, protecting my arms and refusing to lift my own fork for about a year. Lol
Honestly? Even if the scars came back, it's still worth it. Took me awhile, but I now "let my freak flag fly" and wave those scars around! I dare some to ask me! Lol
Proud Member of the Cambridge Crew!
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
Hi Erica,
Just wondering if Dr Nanda suggested steroids injections in the scars. As you know I had complications with my arm surgery and after the graft my scars were a lot worse then they are now. My PS suggested these injections when I was concerned about how visible (red and wide) my scars were and I found they made a huge difference.
Hope all goes well on your next surgery, I'm still waiting to see if I've been approved for my revision, his secretary said there's a delay because of the Canada Post strike but I find that hard to believe since it was early this year that my appointment and we discussed fixing the pocket of skin that got missed on my belly.
Cynthia
Just wondering if Dr Nanda suggested steroids injections in the scars. As you know I had complications with my arm surgery and after the graft my scars were a lot worse then they are now. My PS suggested these injections when I was concerned about how visible (red and wide) my scars were and I found they made a huge difference.
Hope all goes well on your next surgery, I'm still waiting to see if I've been approved for my revision, his secretary said there's a delay because of the Canada Post strike but I find that hard to believe since it was early this year that my appointment and we discussed fixing the pocket of skin that got missed on my belly.
Cynthia
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