Struggling with the Scarring Issue

Hey guys, I am about 3 years post op from lapband surgery and have lost over 100 lbs. I still have about 20 lbs to go. I went to see a plastic surgeon about getting a lower body lift and a breast lift, but the scars are scaring the crap out of me. I have been searching the web for some post op pictures, but I can only find a couple weeks post op when the scars are still fresh. I'd really like to see some photos of a year or more post op to see what the scars look like. I also wanted to do a brachioplasty because I have a lot of loose skin on my arms which causes me to never wear short sleeves, but I fear that after the surgery I'll never wear short sleeves because of the scars. :( 

 

Please, please, please OB! Any pictures, advice, words of comfort would be great right now! Thank you!!

First off - fantastic on your weight loss!
Now to the point:
Of course there will be scars.
We trade scars for the excess skin!
I think most people scar much nicer than me.
I had weight-loss surgery SRVG (open surgery non-adjustable ring) in 1992 and revised to a RnY in 2008. Same vertical scar from sternum to above belly button.
Many C-section was/is above pubic hair - and so is my TT scar including mons lift. My breast lift anchor entailed lots of scar lines.
I scar ugly - think and wide. But better my scars than the hanging belly or boobs and the rashes I had! I also had dehiscence (incisions opened).
I am lazy and rarely turn on my computer and use mostly my iPhone but I am happy to email you pics of my body (just remember I scar very ugly). Or I can call you if you want, and at your convenience as I live in Israel ( 7 hours later than NY ). We have good phone package deals. [email protected]
Mikimi in Israel

I had an extended tt with muscle tightening and my arms done.  I never wear anything with sleeves during the summer and I really don't care if someone sees scars under my arms, its way better then the gross skin.  As for the tt scar its hidden by a string bikini, so no biggie there.  I will try to remember to come back and post pics tomorrow when I am on my real computer.

I'm going to do the same, post pictures, today after my interview. Probably around 1:30 central time. I'm wondering if my age, 25, has anything to do with the way I will scar/heal?

I was 24 with my lap rny and scarred horribly from it. The plastic surgeon was surprised by it. Unfortunately the scar is still visible with my TT but lower on my stomach. I just had my TT so the scars are still a mystery (I'm 27 now).

I have had it all done!  Brachioplasty to Full Thigh lift.  The scars are different in each area.  YOU are the only one to say how you scar.  I have seen some with wonderful scars - faded and flat.  Then I see mine and am horrified.  I have never scarred well.  Ever.  How did you scar after your LapBand?  Have you ever had other surgery? How did you scar at that time?  My arms actually look fairly good.  My left is flat and faded.  My right is raised and rope like BUT that is my fault for doing too much too soon.

I lost over 300 lbs with my WLS and I would trade ugly nasty raised scars any day for the excess skin.

My Brachioplasty scars are totally hidden from front and back view.  My surgeon positioned them so they cannot be seen unless, I raise my arms.

Can you post pictures please?! I would greatly appreciate it.

You can go to realself.com and see all the photos that you want of healing of all types of plastic surgery.

Thank! I will check it out.

While I do not have any pix to post, I did want to offer my perspective. I hope it helps.

I had a TT recently and did not opt for the anchor cut because I did not want the long vertical scar. I am very happy with the scar that is along the bikini line form hip to hip. It was a pie crust incision, so very raised, red, and lumpy initially. My husband could not stand to look at it. However, at 6-weeks post op it was completely flat and lighter and all of the scabbing was resolved. I ate many healing foods and took healing supplements and drank lots of water after my plastic surgery and I think this made the vital difference.

I say this because 27-yrs ago when I had a c-section the scarring was much worse and took much longer to resolve even though I was only 21 yrs old at the time (young skin heals faster). So, again, the food and supplements were key in my recent surgery to healing my scar, at least as it appears to me.

Like the other posters, I will take this scar in a heart beat over my former gross tummy and mons. I am delighted to look normal!

As for my arms and inner thighs and breast lift/aug, I am a little more concerned about the scar that would be left. They seem less easy to hide. I am hoping that for the breast lift/aug that I will not have that vertical scar below the nipple/areola. With arms, I am hoping only to have a scar in the arm pit, versus one that runs to my elbow. And for my inner thighs I am just hoping to see my TT scar continue to resolve and improve, proving that my scar on the inner thigh will be very unnoticeable over time.