Question:
My incision went keloid- just had cortisone injection, wondering about succes of it?

I had emergency ulcer surgery 2 months ago. it was performed open, whereas my RNY was LAP about 8 1/2 months ago. I realized it wasn't healing right, and was still in pain, so i knew I should do something. I went to the dermatologist and he said my scars were keloid, even my previous LAP scars, were as well. I had no idea. He injected cortisone into the top half of the scar (OUCH!), didn't do it all at once, since it hurts and I have a pretty big incision. I was wondering if anyone else had these treatments and what was your outcome? Although i'm 23 and would love to wear a bikini or something, that realy isn't my concern. I just want to be able to wear a bra comfortably again and not be in pain and have a flat scar. My derm. said cortisone works, but not necessarily with everyone. (I also use Mederma for the scar) Any info would be appreciated- thanks!!    — Lezlie Y. (posted on February 20, 2003)

February 20, 2003
Okay, I've just noticed this myself so I asked my instructor at massage school (he's a therapist and nutritionist and all around knows something about how to fix everything kind of guy) and he said that aside from the cocoa butter I've been putting on my scar for the last month to use MSM lotion on it and he showed me a technique that is supposed to help break up the underlying tissue (which I guess is what's making it keloid). If you lie down you put your fingers on the scar, one on top of the other and sort of push inward on the scar so that if you were looking at it it would make a little 'S' shape. Do it all the way down the scar, and all the way back up. He swears it'll help. I've only been doing the MSM lotion and the massage technique for about a week but it does look a little better. Good luck.
   — KelBurt

February 20, 2003
I had the same thing.....the injections worked great for me, but you usually have to go back 3 or 4 times before it completely flattens out. And after the first set of injections it is MUCH less painful. When the scar is red and swollen it is very painful and is why it hurt so much. Good luck to you!
   — Lynette B.

February 21, 2003
I am interested in more info on this MSM lotion and the massage technique. I have always had problems with scaring keloiding. I had lap rnyso, now I have 6 very small but puffy scars on my stomach. Can't say I would be too willing to do the injections though (OUCH!) So far I have been using cocoa butter lotion and vitamin e oil on the scars. Not much of a change in the appearance, but I am only 9 weeks post op. Hope we find a good answer here.
   — Sheryl W.

February 21, 2003
I've done the injections twice. Well, 2 series. Got my T scar all nice and flattened out, faded the coloro back with Scargo, and BLAM, had to have the revision. My derma was pretty frustrated, too, as it had take almost a year to get it pretty close to invisible. So, we began again 5 wks post-op from the revision. Most of the scar is pretty well faded & flat. There's just about 1" that is still thick, though all of it is faded in color. I just got another injection this week while I was there checking something else. Since your scars are tiny, you might want to stick with the series until you are satisfied and fade them with Scargo. The Mederma only made my scar madder at me. I've read that vit E can make scars WORSE (yes, eyes bugged out of my head, too), tho I had used it for the first 4 weeks with each surgery. We either ARE or are not keloid formers & that's just how it is. It was well worth it for the injections. They only sting for a tiny second, and at least MY keloids burned & pulled all the time. I felt some relief by the next day after the first set in the series.
   — vitalady