244 replies to this topic

[readytosmileagain]

Yeah - I think I'm going to continue to try and get opinions from other docs... Has anyone else experienced this type of feeling where one day u feel like the scars are ok and then the next day looking worse - I just hope it's not something I'm doing to make them worse - I feel like more and more pop up every day... I think I'm just imagining it at this point because I'm constantly paranoid about them... I try to give myself a pep talk that I make the scars look cute buuuut that smiling voice in my head lasts two minutes, tops haha

[DRaGZ]

Yeah - I think I'm going to continue to try and get opinions from other docs... Has anyone else experienced this type of feeling where one day u feel like the scars are ok and then the next day looking worse - I just hope it's not something I'm doing to make them worse - I feel like more and more pop up every day... I think I'm just imagining it at this point because I'm constantly paranoid about them... I try to give myself a pep talk that I make the scars look cute buuuut that smiling voice in my head lasts two minutes, tops haha

Your skin is very elastic, so the scars change depending on the time of day, the weather, how much you've moved your skin, and your overall energy levels. You've probably noticed that some of your scars are less noticeable right when you wake than when you come home after work, right? That's because you actually swell up a bit while you're sleeping, since the liquids in your body are redistributing.

So yeah, it's all very relative, which makes it tricky to accurately judge.

[readytosmileagain]

So true - in the mornings I always am ok with looking in the mirror my oily skin by 3 pm doesn't help much... I wish there was a supplement I could take to make my oily skin subside...

[allrighty]

You look beautiful scars and all!!!
I hope u can find something that helps
A BIG hug from Australia!!!

[readytosmileagain]

thanks so much - im so down lately, i honestly feel like out of no where they just keep getting worse and worse... lately ive been so down i dont want to do much of anything

[readytosmileagain]

So get this - i just called my regular derm and said I want to talk about my scars and they said - just so you know thats going to cost you $150 dollars and not the regular $40 that I pay for specialist visits... they are the ones i went to in the first place for the accutane and the inital conversations about my acne now that the scars are a result of my acne they are going to charge me $150 - how unfair is that

[DRaGZ]

So get this - i just called my regular derm and said I want to talk about my scars and they said - just so you know thats going to cost you $150 dollars and not the regular $40 that I pay for specialist visits... they are the ones i went to in the first place for the accutane and the inital conversations about my acne now that the scars are a result of my acne they are going to charge me $150 - how unfair is that

Any dermatologist that asks for a consultation fee is not worth your time. That shows where they priorities are: money > treating patients.

I may just be saying that because I live in an area where dermatologists/plastic surgeons are very competitive with each other, though.

Edited by DRaGZ, 12 June 2012 - 08:10 AM.

[*Inspired*]

So get this - i just called my regular derm and said I want to talk about my scars and they said - just so you know thats going to cost you $150 dollars and not the regular $40 that I pay for specialist visits... they are the ones i went to in the first place for the accutane and the inital conversations about my acne now that the scars are a result of my acne they are going to charge me $150 - how unfair is that

I'm surprised you would return to your regular derm. I definitely wouldn't give him another penny of my money. You need to find someone specialized in treating your type of acne scarring. I realize that's easier said than done, but there has to be a few qualified doctors in a city near you.

Have you tried Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil? She does a free consultation, and has a pretty extensive site with great information on it. I've actually read her site before while researching different types of lasers. She even replies to posts on her site, and appears extremely honest & caring. I have no idea if she really is though... You should check her out.

[readytosmileagain]

i called her office last week and the earliest they can get me in is august -
my personal derm was not the person who talked to me about the fraxel - that was a doctor in philly who is suppose to be the best in the city
so im looking forward to talking to my regular derm but really frustrated with the idea of paying her 150 for a consult and i honestly dont know what she will say other than chemical peels which she pushes... id love to go see this ringfeil person but the way im feeling i want answers now so either i just be patient and wait it out untl august or go to my derm at the end of this month! maybe i go to both?

[*Inspired*]

I would do both. What do you have to lose? Your scars are not going to be gone by August either way. I don't think your current derm can help you much. I would schedule as many appointments as possible until you find the right one. It's going to take time to find the right doctor. I realize it's frustrating but you want to find someone who can truly improve your scars. Otherwise, you're just throwing away money and risking further damage. I've made many mistakes, and wish I hadn't rushed the process when I began my scar treatment journey.

[FruitBiscuits]

I think you should save $150. The derm sounds bad...sorry to hear but I am struggling with the same issue...., tring to find a good derm/PS for myself, good luck =) Like TokyoGirl said, maybe you can try to see both, and maybe it's worth it...but I've never met a derm charges different consultation fees for acne or acne scars treatment...

Edited by myskin2012, 12 June 2012 - 11:51 AM.

[*Inspired*]

I agree with my myskin2012. I wouldn't waste more time or money with your current derm. If he could help you, you wouldn't be here right now or using topicals to treat deep scars. He also wouldn't charge you a consultation fee when you're already under his care.

[FruitBiscuits]

I agree with my myskin2012. I wouldn't waste more time or money with your current derm. If he could help you, you wouldn't be here right now or using topicals to treat deep scars. He also wouldn't charge you a consultation fee when you're already under his care.

yeah, TokyoGirl has a good point...! If he could help you, you wouldn't be here right now~...seems like he has nothing to offer you but charging you $150 for his expensive lunch...lol

Edited by myskin2012, 12 June 2012 - 12:07 PM.

[readytosmileagain]

i know thats exactly what i thought - hi, im your patient, ive been going to you since 2009 - YES I KNOW I HAVENT BEEN THERE IN THE LAST YEAR but we couldnt do much after the accutane anyway so i just let it ride... now im to the point where i want to talk again about my options and you are going to charge me 150? to talk to a patient you supposedly care "Very much" about... i hope if i do go, they wont end up charging me the 150 but im still torn with going at all. sigh. I immediately started to cry when i hung up the phone.. i just am in a position right now where i feel so lost... i thought if I called them, they would get me in right away and be super concerned but that wasnt the case... and the worst part, when you try to find another physician you have to wait months.

[mr. matt]

Subcision/Suction is a great place to start. Look up Mr.Matt. Hes a subcision veteran. I think you are hot so thats a plus.

Readytosmileagain:

Hey, your scars look a lot like the way mine used to and I used to get very depressed looking at myself in the mirror - especially under harsh lighting.

Based upon your comments, it sounds as if your dermatologist got into the medical profession for all of the wrong reasons. Doctors are here to help us.

When I told my dermatologist about how my scarring was affecting my outlook, he agreed to perform subcision on my scars and I believe that I was his first or second patient that he did the procedure on. He listened as I told him how it made me feel on the inside and I how I really did not looking at my reflection in the mirror (hence, the title of my thread is 'Man in the Mirror'.

Despite your scars, you are a very attractive woman. Your husband is blessed!

I agree with the other folks on your thread - go find a doctor who is compassionate and, above all else, skilled and who doesn't promoise your the moon, the stars, and the entire universe.

Please take a look at my before and after photos - there is hope!

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php/gallery/album/10702-final-update-photos-pre-and-post-subcision/

I'm not a doctor, but I believe that subcision may be your best option. You will probably need multiple treatments ( I've had four) and I would encourage you to look at dermarolling. If you've been on Accutane in the past 12 months, you need to consult with a physician before you do any dermarolling, peels, etc.

If you look at my 'before' photos, you can see that my face was a mess. In fact, when my dermatologist was performing a laser treatment on my face about two years ago, he said to someone observing in the treatment room, 'You should have seen this guy when he first came to see me'.

It's been over three years since my first subcision treatment and the photos show remarkable progress. I had some very deep scarring especially on my right cheek. My left cheek looked as if someone had taken one of the 'melon' baller devices and carved out deep craters across my cheek. I was ashamed of my appearance.

You appear to be quite young and I'm confident that you can see some type of improvement. Keep searching for that one doctor who can make a world of difference for you.

All the best to you....

Matt

[readytosmileagain]

Matt, I so appreciate your post - im 30 almost 31 and about 10 months away from hopefully starting a family sooo im kind of on a time crunch in my mind to get these treatments done but seeing your process i really hope my skin can look like yours some day... i cant believe how great of a job your derm did... im to a point right now where i dont want to do anything and im really a fun girl and absolutely hate that i feel so insecure all the time... i feel like i lost my entire 20s and now, 8 months married, trying to enjoy this life that we live and the constant feeling that I absolutely HATE hate looking at anyone in the eye is really starting to get in the way of everything and I know my husband is tired of Me feeling this way... he cant even talk to me about it - all he does is get pissed off/frustrated at me for letting it get me so down all the time but i cant help it... i dont know what to do to change it besides try to do something about it - hes just afraid that what i end up doing will make my skin worse... but what im seeing is as i age, with these scars, my skin will look worse and worse so either way im screwed...

Edited by readytosmileagain, 12 June 2012 - 12:54 PM.

[Natalie5511]

You look beautiful scars and all!!!
I hope u can find something that helps
A BIG hug from Australia!!!

i love how your always so nice and supportive of people its really nice!

[readytosmileagain]

Ditto - that comment made my day

[allrighty]

Its a big big rip off what the derms charge....How bout trying undiluted tea tree oil on ur scars and something light like a manuka honey and raw brown sugar face scrub once a week?

[mr. matt]

Matt, I so appreciate your post - im 30 almost 31 and about 10 months away from hopefully starting a family sooo im kind of on a time crunch in my mind to get these treatments done but seeing your process i really hope my skin can look like yours some day... i cant believe how great of a job your derm did... im to a point right now where i dont want to do anything and im really a fun girl and absolutely hate that i feel so insecure all the time... i feel like i lost my entire 20s and now, 8 months married, trying to enjoy this life that we live and the constant feeling that I absolutely HATE hate looking at anyone in the eye is really starting to get in the way of everything and I know my husband is tired of Me feeling this way... he cant even talk to me about it - all he does is get pissed off/frustrated at me for letting it get me so down all the time but i cant help it... i dont know what to do to change it besides try to do something about it - hes just afraid that what i end up doing will make my skin worse... but what im seeing is as i age, with these scars, my skin will look worse and worse so either way im screwed...

Your husband sounds like he is your biggest fan and loves you scars and all. My wife is the same way - she has a complexion like Christy Brinkley and has never fully understood why my scars bothered me when my scars didn't bother her. Now, after all of these years, I think she has a better understanding of why they bothered me so much.

You sound very motivated to find a solution and I'm confident that you will.

Matt