Question:
Has anyne evr had stretch mark......

I waswondering if any post ops ever had stretch mark removal by laser treatment or any other way that acually works? if you can let me know the cost to it would be great....Thanks........I have so many stretch marks...and I am only 20 with no kids!    — trstears (posted on June 12, 2005)

June 12, 2005
I used to work for a dermatologist and his suggestion to me was Retin-A cream. It's most commonly used (or at least was several years ago)for acne. I think one of its current uses is for aging and taking care of small wrinkles and irregularities in facial skin. I applied the Retin-A to my stretch marks on my stomach and chest for maybe a month but ultimately stopped because it was causing my skin to peel (tho the peeling skin may have been what was supposed to happen). I don't know if Retin-A is available OTC. If not, because stetch marks are considered cosmetic, your health insurance may not pay for it. On the other hand, its a lot cheaper than laser treatment (which your insurance may not pay for either). I know that there are OTC lotions that claim to get rid of / fade stretch marks but having never used them, I can't vouch for their effectiveness. I am also wondering if some of the new creams/lotions for scar treatment might be helpful. I have always heard that one should use Cocoa Butter (lotion) during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks. A good moisturizer might improve the quality of your skin in general and make your stretch marks less noticable. Best wishes, Sid
   — mrsidknee

June 12, 2005
It may be no consolation to you, but try to rethink them, not as a bad thing, but as a badge of honor. I was fat, now I'm not, so yeah, even though I didn't get them by having kids, I did get them to be smaller by a lot of hard work, diet and exercise. I still strut around in my bikini, stretchmarks, scars and lose skin hanging out! And you know what, I've seen a lot worse out there from people who haven't been through a fraction of what us MO and former MOers have gone through! Cheers, Jen RNY 11/12/2002 299/285/150!
   — Mrs. Rich

June 13, 2005
I don't think there is much (including laser treatments) that are truly effective at elimating stretch marks. Only those blessed with super elastic skin escape. I have them from growing rapidly and then gaining weight. I used to feel self-conscious until I noticed my 6'5" skinny husband had them too. If you go to a beach notice how many tall people have them around their knees and shoulders.
   — cindyf1996

June 13, 2005
STRIVECTIN!! I am absolutley in love with this stuff, because it.... WORKS!!! I would NEVER wear a sleevless shirt due to my stretch marks. I started using it twice a day, and wow the improvement is unreal. Even people that know me very well say they can hardly see them. Yes this stuff is expensive, and takes a few months to diminish them almost down to nothing, but it is so worth it! It runs about 135 retail, but you can find it for a lot less on Ebay. A tube, used correctly will last about 4 months, which is pretty darn good. They also have a few companies that have copied the formula, called Dermacin, and Dermectin, that have the same exact ingredients and work just as well. Check out Ebay. Good luck to you :)
   — Carey N.