6 hours ago, FredM said:

Check this topic, maybe it is interesting for you:

 

Hey! Thanks for this. However this post was hard to follow for some reason. I am going to use silicone gel/strips instead. Have you tried the collagen pads that the poster was talking about?

5 hours ago, LivingWithFaith said:

Lol at smiling in your sleep! But botox would definitely help and it usually wears off within 3 months, just enough time for your scar to mostly heal. I don't think it should make smiling too difficult as it would just be a small amount in a localized area, but I've never received botox before so take  what I say with a grain of salt. This will all be up to your doctor's discretion of course. A good one will know exactly what you need.

I would try to restrict moving the mouth too much for as long as the stitches are in. That was one of my mistakes. I don't think a week of restricted movement should cause any damage to your muscles. Just avoid really thick foods, don't smile excessively for at least a week until it's time to take out the stitches. But it should be fine either way. As long as you don't feel the stitches pulling as you move your jaw then they shouldn't be coming undone or anything.

But definitely try to relax though lol. The most difficult part here is finding a suitable doctor and then the next challenge is practicing good post op care. Those are the only two things you can control, but once you got that covered, everything should be smooth sailing and nothing more than a waiting game. But I trust everything will work out for you. I have a good feeling about this Good luck!

Sounds good. Thanks  I™ll keep you updated! 

Hello guys. I™m so excited that I can™t contain myself. So, as usual, I™m at the gym. On the treadmill. In fact, I™m typing on the treadmill as I write this post. So, I was looking at more scar revision doctors. I was using words such as œreconstructive surgery and œscar revision in my area. Found a few doctors but as usual the before and afters were questionable. Then, I decided to go on Instagram and typed in œscar revision in the search bar. I was surfing through the before and after and reading the doctors profiles. Then, I saw one of the most beautiful scar revision before and after and I looked on the doctors profile. This specific doctor does laser resurfacing IMMEDIATELY after doing stitch work. He even posts people™s scar update 7 days after with the scar almost completely gone. This is unbelievable. So I literally begged the universe for this doctor to be near me because you know that I hate planes/traveling. WELL, WELL, WELL. This doctor is not only in my state¦. But¦ only a few miles away from me. Guys, when I post this guys Instagram and website you will be stunned. Also, this is not a marketing promotion. I usually NEVER EVER post doctors that are near me because I™m extremely private but also usually never find one I truly believe will make a difference. Ok, this is the only doctor I would pay any amount of money to be treated based on the photos. This is coming from someone who absolutely hates spending more than fair market value for anything. Yes, the tables have surely turned. I didn™t get a chance to call his office yet because they closed an hour ago but once the clock turns 8am tomorrow, I™m calling and booking a consultation. I don™t even care if I have to pay for the consultation. I might excise more scars if I™m able with this doctor. If I get a consultation and appointment with this doctor, I™m canceling all my other consultations. The only thing that could ruin this for me is if the appointment is far away or if the doctor doesn™t want to treat me because he thinks my scars are œshallow. I™m, again, begging the universe that this doctor treats me and everything goes fine when I place the call tomorrow. Let™s have a prayer moment. Universe¦. Can you do me this one favor¦ I promise I will be a better world citizen than I already am, which is plenty, and I will volunteer for saving the planet projects or do things that are good for the planet without hesitation. Amen. 
 

Alright so, I™m about to upload pictures I took last night of my scars in the worst possible lighting, a hallway light in my residence. The first few will be my worst side (left) and the others will be with the large boxscar (right). 
 

I will also link the doctors website and Instagram below so that you can view this pictures. Tell me what you think of it please!!!! 

https://instagram.com/drmascaro?utm_medium=copy_link

http://www.miguelmascaromd.com/

*note: please do not take offense to my prayer sentence, it was only used as an emphasis for my excitement and a little humor. I like to clown around occasionally. 

Omg, GIRL, I think you may have found the one lol. I've come across this doctor's work recently and I agree he's talented.  He has great scar revision experience with ethnic skin, very dark skin (type 6) included. This picture in particular really impressed me:

Only a true expert can do seamless scar revision in the darkest of skin types with little to no complications considering how tricky our skin. If he can handle black skin, he can handle any. I definitely approve of this doctor. I'll pray to the universe as well everything goes well!

30 minutes ago, LivingWithFaith said:

Omg, GIRL, I think you may have found the one lol. I've come across this doctor's work recently and I agree he's talented.  He has great scar revision experience with ethnic skin, very dark skin (type 6) included. This picture in particular really impressed me:

Only a true expert can do seamless scar revision in the darkest of skin types with little to no complications considering how tricky our skin. If he can handle black skin, he can handle any. I definitely approve of this doctor. I'll pray to the universe as well everything goes well!

Ahhhhh!!!!!!!! So beautiful. Yes, I agree, I noticed the scar on black/dark skin usually leaves a lighter line or an indent slightly, but this doctor seems to have the magic touch. Usually, things are too good to be true for me so I'm waiting for the 'GOTCHA' moment. No 'GOTCHA' moments please *prays*

So I called the office. The office assistant was telling me they didnt have consultations until SEPTEMBER 2022. I said, what? Ok listen. I already know I want this doctor. All I have is simple scars and all I want is a scar excision on those scars. Is there anything you can do?. Then she says let me ask the doctor what if he even does those scars. She came back and said ok I can fit you in earliest October 20th @ 10am. I said I cant do that day because at that time Im not available. So I said anything after ____?She said yes inNovember. She said the consultation is $200. I got my card out and paid. Welp. So theres that. Im probably still going to see the other doctors just to see their opinions. It doesnt hurt to know, right?

I had my first consultation today for scar excision with a dermatologist who performed Co2 laser on me last monthand this is how it went.

• I came one hour early and still waited two whole hours for a consultation.
• she pickedthe scars she thought were worth excision. Shedidnt want to see my photos that I took on my phone. She said she will only do the six scars that she pointed out and when I suggested the one on my upper left cheek, she abruptly cut me off and said no! Only the ones I said.She was rude, cut me off when I would ask questions and then left. She only spent 3 minutes with me.Yet the 3 minutes felt like I was intruding on her time.
• She only does punch excisions, not scalpelexcision.
• She doesnt do dissolving sutures; stated dissolving sutures are only for deep scars and that it will leave a much deeper scar than regular sutures. she says she has stitches that are the high quality.
• She will do fraxel laser at a high setting on the excisionsthe day thestitchesare removed.
• She wont do Botox on my cheeks/jaw because my mouth will droop as if I had a stroke
• When she suggested to do more lasers and I said I had already done more than enough for right now she got upset and said Not with me. I wont take fault for anyone else that you went to but with us you didnt do multiple lasers suggesting that I went to incompetent people for lasers and that shes the only competent laser specialist.
• Price: She asked me if I had insurance (just got it) and said my insurance might cover the excisions.she only takes PPO insurance. I asked about the price without insurance and she said it would be $175 per scar. She only does 4 scars per session max. So it would be done one session and then another session.
• I will not be doing the procedurewith her unless she is my last resort. But even then, Im terribly turned off by her and the way she conducts business.
• I have another consultation with a plastic surgeon on the 31st of this month. Ill update on that day.

No please please please stay well away from this person...firstly they are not willing to do the scars that bother you the most and you want done

and she wants to do more lasers...definitely a easy money grabbing exercise

Also how come in your bottom 2-3 photos your scars look virtually non excistent or is that another side? if those are your results they are vastly improved from the above almost non existent congrats

21 minutes ago, pleasehelp321 said:

No please please please stay well away from this person...firstly they are not willing to do the scars that bother you the most and you want done

and she wants to do more lasers...definitely a easy money grabbing exercise

Also how come in your bottom 2-3 photos your scars look virtually non excistent or is that another side? if those are your results they are vastly improved from the above almost non existent congrats

The photos in the 2-3 bottom ismy right side which has one large boxscar and a few rolling scars. I want to excise that large boxscar on the right cheek. Yes, I agree with you. I also do not trust this doctor at a core level.

well bottom photos are excellent i dont see nothing....are the top photos your LHS? My LHS is by far worst and RHS albeit not good I can live with it sorta lol (photos in my threads)

Update: had a phone consultation with a plastic surgeon 8/30/2021 who I sent my photos of my scarring on their website two weeks ago. The phone consultationwas new for me.We discussed a lot of things and spoke for 15 minutes. Much different than the dermatologist I visited the other day. He actually gave me his time and gave me time to talk too. Its weird that Im celebrating the bare minimum required but compared to my last consultation, I am over the moon already. Haha.

He mentioned that hewould use scalpel excision on the scar because punch excisions is what dermatologists do which is not always the most pleasing result. He mentioned I would of course be trading a scar for another more pleasing scar.He also said he wants to do Dermabrasionbecause its the most resurfacing as you can get. He mentioned its what lasers aspire to be. I dont know much about dermabrasion. He said it sands down the skin much deeper than a laser would. Can anyone confirm or educate me on dermabrasion? So far I like the doctor. He said he still needs to see me in person and needs a consultation to see my scaring but Im glad we discussed all the elements of the procedure that Im looking for. I will let you know when my consultation for this doctor is. In other news,I have another consultation tomorrow at 3pm (in person) with an office that claimed I needed to pay $200 so lets see how that goes.

Please let me know about dermabrasion.

On 8/25/2021 at 10:18 PM, pleasehelp321 said:

well bottom photos are excellent i dont see nothing....are the top photos your LHS? My LHS is by far worst and RHS albeit not good I can live with it sorta lol (photos in my threads)

Yes, top photos are left hand side. Yes, I also have the same sentiments about my right side than my left just as you explained it. I will take a peek at your photos now that you mentioned it. Edit: yes I see your scarring now. I think Ive seen you comment a few times in other threads, so I am familiar with your photos. In conclusion I see what you mean about your left and right side.

3 hours ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:

Update: had a phone consultation with a plastic surgeon who I sent my photos to about two weeks ago. The phone consultationwas new for me.We discussed a lot of things and spoke for 15 minutes. Much different than the dermatologist I visited the other day. He actually gave me his time and gave me time to talk too. Its weird that Im celebrating the bare minimum required but compared to my last consultation, I am over the moon already. Haha.

He mentioned that hewould use scalpel excision on the scar because punch excisions is what dermatologists do which is not always the most pleasing result. He mentioned I would of course be trading a scar for another more pleasing scar.He also said he wants to do Dermabasion because its the most resurfacing as you can get. He mentioned its what lasers aspire to be. I dont know much about dermabasion. He said it sands down the skin much deeper than a laser would. Can anyone confirm or educate me on dermabasion? So far I like the doctor. He said he still needs to see me in person and needs a consultation to see my scaring but Im glad we discussed all the elements of the procedure that Im looking for. I will let you know when my consultation for this doctor is. In other news,I have another consultation tomorrow at 3pm (in person) with an office that claimed I needed to pay $200 so lets see how that goes.

Please let me know about dermabasion. I know Im probably spelling it wrong sorry!

Yes, top photos are left hand side. Yes, I also have the same sentiments about my right side than my left just as you explained it. I will take a peek at your photos now that you mentioned it. Edit: yes I see your scarring now. I think Ive seen you comment a few times in other threads, so I am familiar with your photos. In conclusion I see what you mean about your left and right side.

Yes, he is right about dermabrasion being more aggressive than laser but has more side effects which led to discovery of full ablativelaser with less side effects and to combat side effects even further fractional was added later currently being the safest of the three. The full ablative laser was introduced for this purpose to replicate the result from dermabrasion and it requires good skill from the doctor to maneuver the device. BuT its possible the doctor goes deeper and you end up with worse texture. Highly skill dependent. Maybe a patch test would be best bet and see how you heal

dr rullan procedure consist of abrasion on day of chemobrasion as per his article.

yes thats what happened with me i think the doctor went too deep on co2 laser and im left with bad texture issues....hard to find someone real good and competent with co2 laser in Australia or anywhere for that matter...

3 hours ago, pleasehelp321 said:

yes thats what happened with me i think the doctor went too deep on co2 laser and im left with bad texture issues....hard to find someone real good and competent with co2 laser in Australia or anywhere for that matter...

Dude not sure what your definition of bad is from the pictures it doesnt look bad. All people who had significant acne scars in the past will have slight wavy texture as the edges get softened it will obviously give a wavy appearance. Plus you are old. Why do you want to attain this perfection at this age. If I were you I would only be searching for procedures that can add volume to my face so that scars look less noticeable in that harsh light. And try and live life.

Okay getsmart121 yes I do realise I need volume...its just as i said before the fillers ive had 4-5 times in the past doesnt last longer than a month?

my current cosmetic doctor as stated before wants to do 2 ml of restylane that wouldnt even last 2-3 weeks from past experience and the cost is 1000 australian dollars? thats alot of money for something that doesnt last....there full of lies when they say lasts 6-12 months not for me anyway?

1 hour ago, pleasehelp321 said:

Okay getsmart121 yes I do realise I need volume...its just as i said before the fillers ive had 4-5 times in the past doesnt last longer than a month?

my current cosmetic doctor as stated before wants to do 2 ml of restylane that wouldnt even last 2-3 weeks from past experience and the cost is 1000 australian dollars? thats alot of money for something that doesnt last....there full of lies when they say lasts 6-12 months not for me anyway?

The reason fillers fade away as time goes on is because your body metabolizes it over time. For some reason your body is metabolizing it fast. You need to look at other option of adding volume like bellafil atleast. Seems if bellafil last you 2 years you would be happy?

Update on my third consultation so far. It was in person and the doctor looked at my scars and didnt think they were excessive enough to excise. He is a doctor who does morssurgery.I said he needed overhead lighting to see my scars and he agreed but still made the assessment that I didnt need excision. He said that since I did all those laser treatments prior that its a sign you need to let it go. Meaning that I should just give up on improving my scars. I looked at him smiling as if I was seeing three heads. When I mentioned my scars and I used the phrase box scar he said whatever that means and I realizedthat this doctor was just not for me. He lacked knowledge on scar revision and perhaps I should have taken that to account because morssurgery doctors are only experienced in that field. He said dont get mad but I think you should leave your scars alone and if you get excision, it might end up worse. While I can agree that there is the possibility an excision could end up worse, I still want to get the procedure for my right check and all I learned is that it wont be with him. Which is fine. The consultation maybe lasted ten minutes. It was mostly a lecture about how I should just accept it. I do accept my scars but that doesnt mean I will give up on any sort of improvement. He also said that he is surprised that with all the lasers my skin didnt get worse because cells can easily not regrow and just wait a few years for technology to advance, you might see a new method on tackling scars. While his view is great and dandy, its not a view I generally want to subscribe to because I am looking for lasting results. I am looking to move the needle. I dont want to wait for ifs or rely on the possibility for someone to invent some new scar device. No. Maybe Im impatent, and naive, or maybe Im right and I should do what I can to improve my scarring. He said he wouldnt charge me for the visit even though he could which I dont know what sort of ego boasting that was but anyways thats your update. Am I upset? Maybe a little but I dont know exactly why. I left and sat in traffic thinking about how people who want results such as someone who has excessive amounts of money or a celebrity would not accept that sort of philosophy. And what I mean by that is that he is a limited doctor, like most doctors. I am in search for that doctor that breaks the mold and goes outside the box to create high quality work in his patients. I want a doctor with drive and vision and able to set new standards in cosmetic surgery or scar revision or anything in the plastic surgery field. Just seeing someone give up or tell me ehhh, dont worry about it because thats the best its ganna get pisses me off becuase its not true. At least not for me. Im determined to keep going, Im determined to solve at least some my scarring. Whether it be excision and/or lasers.I refuse to believe this is the best it gets. And its not that Im not accepting my scars, its that Im not letting myself give up on the potential for more improvement. Yet, I also think Im quite obsessive about this lately and I dont know why but when somethingcomes in my head thats life-changing, its so hard to get it out. In this instance its excision, and man when I tell you I want that, I really do. Im more than curious.

57 minutes ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:

Update on my third consultation so far. It was in person and the doctor looked at my scars and didnt think they were excessive enough to excise. He is a doctor who does morssurgery.I said he needed overhead lighting to see my scars and he agreed but still made the assessment that I didnt need excision. He said that since I did all those laser treatments prior that its a sign you need to let it go. Meaning that I should just give up on improving my scars. I looked at him smiling as if I was seeing three heads. When I mentioned my scars and I used the phrase box scar he said whatever that means and I realizedthat this doctor was just not for me. He lacked knowledge on scar revision and perhaps I should have taken that to account because morssurgery doctors are only experienced in that field. He said dont get mad but I think you should leave your scars alone and if you get excision, it might end up worse. While I can agree that there is the possibility an excision could end up worse, I still want to get the procedure for my right check and all I learned is that it wont be with him. Which is fine. The consultation maybe lasted ten minutes. It was mostly a lecture about how I should just accept it. I do accept my scars but that doesnt mean I will give up on any sort of improvement. He also said that he is surprised that with all the lasers my skin didnt get worse because cells can easily not regrow and just wait a few years for technology to advance, you might see a new method on tackling scars. While his view is great and dandy, its not a view I generally want to subscribe to because I am looking for lasting results. I am looking to move the needle. I dont want to wait for ifs or rely on the possibility for someone to invent some new scar device. No. Maybe Im impatent, and naive, or maybe Im right and I should do what I can to improve my scarring. He said he wouldnt charge me for the visit even though he could which I dont know what sort of ego boasting that was but anyways thats your update. Am I upset? Maybe a little but I dont know exactly why. I left and sat in traffic thinking about how people who want results such as someone who has excessive amounts of money or a celebrity would not accept that sort of philosophy. And what I mean by that is that he is a limited doctor, like most doctors. I am in search for that doctor that breaks the mold and goes outside the box to create high quality work in his patients. I want a doctor with drive and vision and able to set new standards in cosmetic surgery or scar revision or anything in the plastic surgery field. Just seeing someone give up or tell me ehhh, dont worry about it because thats the best its ganna get pisses me off becuase its not true. At least not for me. Im determined to keep going, Im determined to solve at least some my scarring. Whether it be excision and/or lasers.I refuse to believe this is the best it gets. And its not that Im not accepting my scars, its that Im not letting myself give up on the potential for more improvement. Yet, I also think Im quite obsessive about this lately and I dont know why but when somethingcomes in my head thats life-changing, its so hard to get it out. In this instance its excision, and man when I tell you I want that, I really do. Im more than curious.

Do you mind me asking where about your from as I might have some recommendations for excision doctors.

As well as, how can you keep affording these 200 dollar consultations are you the rich celebrity?

yes getsmart121 correct only thing is ive spoken to many on forums and emails and bellafill is the same as all the others simply doesnt really last and they say it lasts so and so when it doesnt even last one year....also would try it but do you know someone who offers bellafill in australia?

it isnt bellafill even offered in asia or europe only place is america so if its that good how come noone but america offers it?

3 hours ago, Scarsmakemewanttodie said:

Do you mind me asking where about your from as I might have some recommendations for excision doctors.

As well as, how can you keep affording these 200 dollar consultations are you the rich celebrity?

Hey! I usually go to consultations that are free. I find this out when I schedule appointments. I only paid a $200 consultation for the one doctor in November because he seems highly experienced based on his videos and patient results on website, which is my first time ever paying for a consult.Usually consultations try to make me pay when scheduling appointments and I usually argue to waive them which they usually do. This particular office was trying to charge me $200 but I said I wasnt going to pay it. When I arrived today in person, I made sure to not leave my card info when I checked in which is a sign if they will charge you. The doctor saw me and said Im not going to charge you but I could but he actually cant. He cant charge me after he has seen me especially since he knew I wasnt going to get any treatments from him. I just argue (arguing doesnt mean I yell or disrespect, it just means that I will counter against any claim made). Ultimately if a doctors office wants to charge me for a consultation,I usually decline to go especially if they have average results or seem to not have much information on a procedure. The only exception was the recent payment I made for a specific doctor because I liked his results and he was booked up until September of 2022 and there was an opening made for me earlier so in my opinion it was necessary. In conclusion, Ive only paid for one consultation ever. And Ive had plenty of consultations with plenty of doctors, and they are usually free. Some doctors try to lump a consult payment with a treatment which is okay if you are sure you want the doctor to treat you but otherwise its to your discretion.

For right now, Im going to decline to give you my location because Im quite private. I hope you understand.

44 minutes ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:

Hey! I usually go to consultations that are free. I find this out when I schedule appointments. I only paid a $200 consultation for the one doctor in November because he seems highly experienced based on his videos and patient results on website, which is my first time ever paying for a consult. Usually consultations try to make me pay when scheduling appointments and I usually argue to waive them which they usually do. This particular office was trying to charge me $200 but I said I wasn™t going to pay it. When I arrived today in person, I made sure to not leave my card info when I checked in which is a sign if they will charge you. The doctor saw me and said œI™m not going to charge you but I could but he actually can™t. He can™t charge me after he has seen me especially since he knew I wasn™t going to get any treatments from him. I just argue (arguing doesn™t mean I yell or disrespect, it just means that I will counter against any claim made). Ultimately if a doctors office wants to charge me for a consultation, I usually decline to go especially if they have average results or seem to not have much information on a procedure. The only exception was the recent payment I made for a specific doctor because I liked his results and he was booked up until September of 2022 and there was an opening made for me earlier so in my opinion it was necessary. In conclusion, I™ve only paid for one consultation ever. And I™ve had plenty of consultations with plenty of doctors, and they are usually free. Some doctors try to lump a consult payment with a treatment which is okay if you are sure you want the doctor to treat you but otherwise it™s to your discretion. 
 

For right now, I™m going to decline to give you my location because I™m quite private. I hope you understand. 

Excellent strategy to manuaever consultation fees. If a doctor doesn™t provide enough before and after or shown expertise of their work on a procedure, there is a high chance you can argue about the consult charges and bypass this. You always learn a new thing. But if it is an acne scar expert, fine we know they have proven their work. So paying the, is fine since they would tell what would work for your scars.

On 8/18/2021 at 6:36 PM, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:

Hello guys. I™m so excited that I can™t contain myself. So, as usual, I™m at the gym. On the treadmill. In fact, I™m typing on the treadmill as I write this post. So, I was looking at more scar revision doctors. I was using words such as œreconstructive surgery and œscar revision in my area. Found a few doctors but as usual the before and afters were questionable. Then, I decided to go on Instagram and typed in œscar revision in the search bar. I was surfing through the before and after and reading the doctors profiles. Then, I saw one of the most beautiful scar revision before and after and I looked on the doctors profile. This specific doctor does laser resurfacing IMMEDIATELY after doing stitch work. He even posts people™s scar update 7 days after with the scar almost completely gone. This is unbelievable. So I literally begged the universe for this doctor to be near me because you know that I hate planes/traveling. WELL, WELL, WELL. This doctor is not only in my state¦. But¦ only a few miles away from me. Guys, when I post this guys Instagram and website you will be stunned. Also, this is not a marketing promotion. I usually NEVER EVER post doctors that are near me because I™m extremely private but also usually never find one I truly believe will make a difference. Ok, this is the only doctor I would pay any amount of money to be treated based on the photos. This is coming from someone who absolutely hates spending more than fair market value for anything. Yes, the tables have surely turned. I didn™t get a chance to call his office yet because they closed an hour ago but once the clock turns 8am tomorrow, I™m calling and booking a consultation. I don™t even care if I have to pay for the consultation. I might excise more scars if I™m able with this doctor. If I get a consultation and appointment with this doctor, I™m canceling all my other consultations. The only thing that could ruin this for me is if the appointment is far away or if the doctor doesn™t want to treat me because he thinks my scars are œshallow. I™m, again, begging the universe that this doctor treats me and everything goes fine when I place the call tomorrow. Let™s have a prayer moment. Universe¦. Can you do me this one favor¦ I promise I will be a better world citizen than I already am, which is plenty, and I will volunteer for saving the planet projects or do things that are good for the planet without hesitation. Amen. 
 

Alright so, I™m about to upload pictures I took last night of my scars in the worst possible lighting, a hallway light in my residence. The first few will be my worst side (left) and the others will be with the large boxscar (right). 
 

I will also link the doctors website and Instagram below so that you can view this pictures. Tell me what you think of it please!!!! 

https://instagram.com/drmascaro?utm_medium=copy_link

http://www.miguelmascaromd.com/

*note: please do not take offense to my prayer sentence, it was only used as an emphasis for my excitement and a little humor. I like to clown around occasionally. 

IMO opinion I would say stop looking for excision and look for addding volume techniques. When people see you they are not concerned about specific scar but how your skin looks overall. Your edges have softened. You can lift these areas up,with fillers. Have you done any fillers to date like bellafil, juvederm etc. all the veterans in this forum agree is that you get some filling and softening of scars but then do fillers. Which is must after everything is set and done.

On 8/31/2021 at 11:25 PM, getsmart121 said:

Excellent strategy to manuaever consultation fees. If a doctor doesnt provide enough before and after or shown expertise of their work on a procedure, there is a high chance you can argue about the consult charges and bypass this. You always learn a new thing. But if it is an acne scar expert, fine we know they have proven their work. So paying the, is fine since they would tell what would work for your scars.

IMO opinion I would say stop looking for excision and look for addding volume techniques. When people see you they are not concerned about specific scar but how your skin looks overall. Youredges have softened. You can liftthese areas up,with fillers. Have you doneany fillers to date like bellafil, juvederm etc. all the veterans in this forum agree is that you get some filling and softening of scars but then do fillers. Which is must after everything is set and done.

Thanks! Im not crazy over filler at the moment. I also dont like the idea of Bella fill. I would prefer to be with my scarring than to get Bella fill. I dont trust it. I know, strong viewpoint. I dont want to rely on fillers as of yet. I want to remove some of my scarring if Im able to through excision. Lets see what the future holds with these doctors. My last two consultations are in October and November. So I wont get definitive answers on whether my scars can be excised by these two doctors yet. Im anxious. 2021 has been a very testing year for me in this area of my life and other areas. Im having trouble sleeping as a result, my brain wont turn off. Im probably at the worst stage in my life mentally. Im just so tired. Anyways, thanks for listening.

On 8/31/2021 at 5:08 PM, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:

Update on my third consultation so far. It was in person and the doctor looked at my scars and didnt think they were excessive enough to excise. He is a doctor who does morssurgery.I said he needed overhead lighting to see my scars and he agreed but still made the assessment that I didnt need excision. He said that since I did all those laser treatments prior that its a sign you need to let it go. Meaning that I should just give up on improving my scars. I looked at him smiling as if I was seeing three heads. When I mentioned my scars and I used the phrase box scar he said whatever that means and I realizedthat this doctor was just not for me. He lacked knowledge on scar revision and perhaps I should have taken that to account because morssurgery doctors are only experienced in that field. He said dont get mad but I think you should leave your scars alone and if you get excision, it might end up worse. While I can agree that there is the possibility an excision could end up worse, I still want to get the procedure for my right check and all I learned is that it wont be with him. Which is fine. The consultation maybe lasted ten minutes. It was mostly a lecture about how I should just accept it. I do accept my scars but that doesnt mean I will give up on any sort of improvement. He also said that he is surprised that with all the lasers my skin didnt get worse because cells can easily not regrow and just wait a few years for technology to advance, you might see a new method on tackling scars. While his view is great and dandy, its not a view I generally want to subscribe to because I am looking for lasting results. I am looking to move the needle. I dont want to wait for ifs or rely on the possibility for someone to invent some new scar device. No. Maybe Im impatent, and naive, or maybe Im right and I should do what I can to improve my scarring. He said he wouldnt charge me for the visit even though he could which I dont know what sort of ego boasting that was but anyways thats your update. Am I upset? Maybe a little but I dont know exactly why. I left and sat in traffic thinking about how people who want results such as someone who has excessive amounts of money or a celebrity would not accept that sort of philosophy. And what I mean by that is that he is a limited doctor, like most doctors. I am in search for that doctor that breaks the mold and goes outside the box to create high quality work in his patients. I want a doctor with drive and vision and able to set new standards in cosmetic surgery or scar revision or anything in the plastic surgery field. Just seeing someone give up or tell me ehhh, dont worry about it because thats the best its ganna get pisses me off becuase its not true. At least not for me. Im determined to keep going, Im determined to solve at least some my scarring. Whether it be excision and/or lasers.I refuse to believe this is the best it gets. And its not that Im not accepting my scars, its that Im not letting myself give up on the potential for more improvement. Yet, I also think Im quite obsessive about this lately and I dont know why but when somethingcomes in my head thats life-changing, its so hard to get it out. In this instance its excision, and man when I tell you I want that, I really do. Im more than curious.

Yeah, this reaction is seen from people all over when it comes to those who wish to improve their looks. Whether it be scars or other surgeries, there are a lot of gatekeepers who will attempt to dissuade you from pushing the limits. Don't mind them.

A well researched person with the drive to get it done can achieve incredible results, and this is almost threatening to people. They don't like the idea of someone becoming beautiful through cosmetic surgery. No joke lol

Anyways, looking forward to see how that consult with the $200 doc goes. He is within a short drive of me and I have similar scars as you, so keep us posted!

On 9/9/2021 at 2:10 PM, keepcool said:

Yeah, this reaction is seen from people all over when it comes to those who wish to improve their looks. Whether it be scars or other surgeries, there are a lot of gatekeepers who will attempt to dissuade you from pushing the limits. Don't mind them.

 

A well researched person with the drive to get it done can achieve incredible results, and this is almost threatening to people. They don't like the idea of someone becoming beautiful through cosmetic surgery. No joke lol

 

Anyways, looking forward to see how that consult with the $200 doc goes. He is within a short drive of me and I have similar scars as you, so keep us posted!

Yes. I agree with you. When I get resistance, I now know it means doctors have limited capacity to give me meaningful results. I used to try to convince them, that they had to see it my way to understand. But recently I found it is a waste of time. You rob yourself of other opportunities, I think.

What is most important is thatI have to constantly educate myself. Just the other day I was looking at Dr. Mascaro interview with a plastic surgeon from New York who has a large following on YouTube. Well, the video was 45 minutes long and I listened to the entire thing. I learned Dr. Mascaro takes out dissolving suture because dissolving sutures cause inflammation, which causes indentation in a scar or less than optimal results. This is key information to me. I now know that if other doctors say the opposite, they are inexperienced. For example, the doctor I had my laser with said she doesnt do dissolving sutures because it leaves a deep scar. Well, its probably because she doesnt know that she needs to remove them because they cause inflammation. This is the types of information that sets things apart.

He also said he only uses scar gel for a month but that it is patient-specific, some patients react better to scar gel than others. He says if the scar turns red, discontinue use of scar gel. The video was about a lip Lift which I dont need or want, but my goal was to learn more about his suture methods and after care. Apparently he takes a lot of time with patients really getting to know them and listening to them. This gives me hope. But he also said he turns away patients if he thinks they dont need a treatment. If he says no to me I think it would crush my morale. I just want him to cut my major scars out and I feel he is the best doctor to do it. Then again,Maybe Im wrong. Maybe he is not the one to help me along this journey but either way I am determined to get my major scars out. Only time will tell.

I have to make sure to keep my weight low so that my scars show better my facial fat can disguise the scars at times. They are much more noticeable when I am leaner. I will probably just increase cardio and decrease calories but I have to be mindful not to do is to drastically that I lose muscle. TMI, but for anyone else who is reading this I hope this extra information is useful.

There is alot of uncertainty is along the way and I dread it all. I absolutely hate not knowing things or not knowing what to prepare for. This scar journey takes a lot out of me, sometimes I wonder how much left of me there is. The patience, the drive, the ability to be told no or told just do [insert low probability of returnprocedure]instead and still have a clear vision in mind its hard. Its so hard. But I know Im strong because I know majority of people would have just given up or let anger or sadness be the definition of themselves no. I cant let it be this way. Either you change your reality or reality changes you. I pick the former.

Update:

I had a consultation with a doctor that I talked to on the phone prior. I was placing a lot of hope that he would be my fall back plan in case the main doctor i want to do the scar excision said no. And guess what, THIS doctor said no to me. I was arguing with him about just removing two scars and he said no. I even showed him the pictures. Hes like, no, I think your pictures are worse but in person you look fine. Just dermabasion would work for you. So then I try to say to him well, I have a dermatologist I saw that said she would do punch excisions, I dont want punch, I want scalpel and still he did not bulge. I tried and tried and tried. He still refused. I even said if I do punch excision with another doctor and then come to you for dermabasion, would you be upset with me? I was trying to be cute and make it clear that I want these scars removed, and he STILL said no. Im so upset. I sound like a spoiled brat probably but it really irritates me when Im set on something and the only obstacle in my way is someone doing what I ask to be done, and after showing evidence and doing all the mental prep to convince them, they still say no. Im so mad, I cant even drive out of here yet because I feel defeated. Im going to Google more doctors. I will not take no for an answer. I am going to get the scars that are large removed, Im almost sick with determination of removing them that I will just remove them to prove to myself that I can. Ugh. I dont like to let my emotions get in the way of rational thought but one thing that really ticks me off is when someone doesnt bend for me. Like. At least take out one scar and lets see how it goes, I mean, damn, why is this so hard.

im sorry for ranting aimlessly, Im so worked up, I just need to vent.

my final consultation is with Mascaro in November and I already feel in my heart that he is going to refuse to do it. And even if he said yes, he said in a social media post that he wont be doing any surgery until April 2022. You see my dilemma? I have to find a plan B. Yes, I sound like Im in a mania. Im aware. Im fully aware that Im very emotional about this whole experience on trying to find a doctor to excise my scars. I do have that dermatologist who said she would punch a few but shes the worst. Her before and afters were awful and it takes 3 hours to see her (its not because she busy, shes incompetent). She is my last resort though. Im really stressed out.

Update:

I've seen a few more doctors who are willing to punch/excise my scars. Mostly dermatologists. I have one more derm to see this Thursday and then Dr. Mascaro sometime next week. I'm going to try to schedule one more appointment with a reconstructive plastic surgeon because my gut tells me there is something to explore there. I'm just having trouble with my schedule lately. I'm going to post photos I took last night of how my skin looks. I am at my ideal weight, and I'm very fit. This indicates that swelling or facial fat is at the very minimum. This is what my scars look like under my hallway light, presently. 

Currently I have two open options:

1. My derm who did the CO2 laser ultrapulse said she would "punch" four scars at a time that she thinks is "severe" and laser one month after. I don't like her so she is my last resort. 

2. A derm who is very near to me who is willing to do one scar each month with laser 5 days after and one month after. She was at first very hard to convince to punch or even excise my scars. She tried to convince me otherwise because she thinks if we took out all my scars, I would have lines everywhere which is probably true but I don't want every scar theoretically excised, just the larger ones that stand out. She said there was not a doctor in the world who would agree to do excise my scars based on her first impression of my skin. I showed her the photos below and I pleaded insistently with different hypotheticals to convince her that I am more than willing to at least explore the possibilities. She finally agreed and said one scar at a time, and she was willing to do the procedure this week. I wanted to wait until I saw Mascaro so I pushed it to Wednesday of next week. I don't want her to punch my large boxscar because I don't think punch is good for that scar, so that means I have to pick the next best scar. I think I have an idea of which one but any suggestions based on the pictures below would also help me. Does anyone think that punch of a linear boxscar has optimal results? My logical brain is saying that scalpel would be better. In addition, she wants to have the stitches in for 7 days instead of 5 days, why is that? Also she wants to do laser on my cheeks instead of spot treating the scar, wouldn't this be counterproductive for the next scar excision if all goes well? I feel like my cheeks swell for a three months after laser which gives the false illusion that my scars are less which is not great if I want my scars to appear for the purpose of excision. 

3. I had another derm who was willing to punch out a few scars but she didn't have laser in her office. I decided against going with her because of the convenience factor. 

I'm hoping Mascaro gives me at least some insight on scar revision for my scars and what is the best method to approach it with the goals I have in mind. I highly doubt he will agree to excise my scars based on my experience lately with seeing all sorts of doctors. I still have a few more left to see that I am having trouble either reaching or my schedule is in conflict with their operating hours. I'm also highly busy with my graduate program and other factors in my life that make this journey very complicated. But I am resilient. I will prove that. 

Let me know any comments you have or answers to my questions. 

Notes:

Photos may appear as if its copied & pasted repeatedly but its not the same photos, its actually me trying to show different angles in the way the light may show certain scars more than others and vice versa and it may appear as if they are all the same photos. I was wearing moisturizer, you will notice a white cream on my face. The first few photos are my left side, which is my worst side. The last four is my right side, with the famous large boxscar. I'm thinking of punch excising a scar on my left cheek marked in red with derm #2 next wednesday, good choice?

Right side