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Post by mollyfin on Oct 6, 2012 21:28:06 GMT -5
Just wondering, am I ever going to see any improvement on the scars from my laparoscopy? They're dark purple, raised and one feels hard under the surface. The other one feels pretty normal old-scar squishy. I would swear if anything they're getting darker, not lighter, but since I don't really see them that often, that's possibly just in my head. Regardless, they're not fading any...are they going to? Or do I just have spots now?
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Post by courtney on Oct 7, 2012 10:14:50 GMT -5
Do you tan at all? I remember having a similar problem when they removed my gallbladder. I began laying out shortly after surgery and the spots darkened. I used mederma and now they are barely noticeable. The scar tissue, or "hardness," behind them took about five years to fully go down. It sounds like yours is scar tissue as well. My lap scars are healing much better, except for the largest one. I had an ovary and tube removed, along with a 4 inch cyst, so I have a scar that is a little over an inch over my left "ovary." That scar seems to be getting darker, not lighter, and is very hard (due to scar tissue). I believe it only looks darker because it is the largest of the bunch. I would call the doctor who did your surgery if you are concerned and ask for some advice. Even though it was 14 months ago, you are still experiencing the repercussions of surgery that they performed. Hopefully, this is a doctor you talk to frequently, but if not, do not hesitate to call and ask what is going on. They perform this surgery all the time. They see the results all the time. They know what the finished product should look like. In the meantime, you can try something like mederma, or something like silicone scar sheets www.myscaraway.com/. I think the sheets may be your best bet since your surgery was awhile ago. I have never used them, but my sister swears by them. Good luck!
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Oct 7, 2012 14:46:52 GMT -5
I was going to ask the same question about tanning. The hardness is probably scar tissue.
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Post by JC on Oct 7, 2012 19:49:28 GMT -5
Scaring all depends on your skin pigmentation. People with darker skin tend to scar darker. Or people like me who are light skinned but have mixed race can also scar darker. Tanning will also cause your scars to be darker.
Another thing to take into consideration is a keloid scar because those will also tend to scar a darker pigment and be really hard. The interesting thing about keloids that I found out recently is that they can continue to grow and grow out of control. Regular scars should still be somewhat soft. Keloids can get really hard and can also be really uncomfortable by causing itching or burning. If you do have a keloid then a dermatologist can give steriod injections into the scar and that will reduce the appearance. They also have these silicone overlays that they use in conjunction with the injections. If you're concerned about your scars then a derm can certainly make sure it's not a keloid and maybe recommend something like Mederma.
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Post by 1234 on Oct 8, 2012 17:54:56 GMT -5
Jenaya, I love all of this but what the hell is a keloid scar?
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Post by loveshoes on Oct 8, 2012 18:19:05 GMT -5
I'm the keloid scar girl here! LOL! As some of you know, I had a long history with tanning in tanning beds. I stopped and get annual full body skin checks. Over the past year, I have had many "suspicious moles" removed and 2 of them keloid'd on me. Basically, the scar doesn't heal flat, it is raised up and smooth/shiny on the surface. Some can itch, cause pain. I just had 2 other moles removed with stitches so when I was there, the dermatologist injected the keloid with a mixture of some stuff, I believe it was some sort of steroid solution but it was diluted with some other stuff. Within 2 weeks. it's now flat. I still have the shiny part, hopefully over time, it will heal better. When they did the removal 2 weeks ago I asked her to inject that area with the same mixture so that it won't keloid on me. There are also silicone scar gel sheets you can get but I'd just try to find a dermo if it's really bad and get the injection. Hope this helps!
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Post by JC on Oct 9, 2012 4:34:08 GMT -5
Keloid scars are scars that grow out of control basically. They are raised and hard and they suck. My last surgery developed a big keloid and I'm so frustrated with it. I just don't have the patience to see yet, ANOTHER doctor but I should go see a derm about it because it's just getting bigger and bigger. Ugh.
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Post by 1234 on Oct 9, 2012 7:22:29 GMT -5
Oh yes, I've had those. The good thing about a dermo is although it takes forever to get an appt, once you actually go the appt normally is quick. They just look at you and inject the stuff.
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