Question:
Does anyone else have a problem with keloids post-op?

My husband had his surgery in February '05, and several of his lap incisons have developed keloids. He had his ear pierced in '03, and that keloided up, too, so I don't think surgery "caused" it. He has numerous old scars dating from childhood, so the keloid thing is new. Anyone else battling this? What do you do about it?    — Jeanie (posted on April 5, 2006)

April 5, 2006
Hi there. I have the kind of skin that keloids, too. Anytime I have had surgery, this has happened. It also happened for the RNY. It is more a factor of the way one heals, and my Doctor was aware of my condition prior to surgery. It still happened, and it is not the most attractive look, but I would rather have 6 little marble-shaped incisions than weigh 400 pounds. For me, it was a really a small price to pay. Best of luck to you and your husband!
   — pjwilsen

April 5, 2006
I have keloid skin. My knee and hip replacements are horrid. I was suprised when my tummy cuts didn't get as hugh as the others. I got cut with bared wire as a child, no stitches and you can barely see that scar now
   — pettykash

April 5, 2006
I was surprised how little my skin scared. I usually scar from as little as a scratch and so I was pleasantly surprised. I put off the surgery for 4 years not wanting to do open and have a huge ugly thing. I used scar cream on them as soon as I could. Perhaps that made a difference.
   — Isabella

April 5, 2006
Certain people tend to keloid...especially non caucasian people. There are certain areas of the body that will keloid before others. The chest, abdomen, ears, and back are very prone in certain people. I have never been one to keloid but I had to be opend up twice (see my profile if you wanna know why) and hence have some slight keloiding on my open incision. I gave myself cortisone injections ( I am a dermatology physician assistant) and that shrinks keloids so if you develop them go see a dermatology professional who can help you out with this!
   — SteffieBear15

April 5, 2006
Thanks for all the info. This is new to us, so we both appreciate it. :)
   — Jeanie

April 6, 2006
If you're prone to keloids, don't think of plastic surgery, because the results cannot be guaranteed. The best way to prevent keloids is to not have incisions.
   — goldroses

April 6, 2006
I'm one of the exceptions to the "color rule" in that I am Irish, fair skin, red hair. Theoretically, "we" don't keloid, but *I* do. Keloids for me are usually the verticals. The horizontals fade completely away. Keloids can be very painful and actually bleed & become infected, so it's not JUST cosmetic. My dermatologist was able to get my TT incision to lie down flat and I faded it with Scargo, then I had SLD (my original antique surgery broke) and I had to be revised. So, we started all over again, starting the injections at 5 weeks. All but about 1" has been flattened, and again, Scargo faded the red color. Please see a really good dermatologist who knows this isn't about vanity. I have seen people hideously deformed from keloids, every "booboo", every pierce the size of a marble or golf ball. The injections are not particularly painful, shot is a tiny needle, the medicine doesn't sting, more annoying, since there are a series of shots along the length of the scar. BUT (before you panic), you feel noticable improvement in 24 hours, at least I got relief from the burning and itching.
   — vitalady