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Jonah - my excision was in the middle of my forehead
YW - I saw Dr. Phillip just north of Toronto. I went there because it was the closest surgeon to where I live.
Where do you live? You probably don't need to travel all the way to north of Toronto. Just find a plastic surgeon who practices near you. Excision is a pretty straighforward procedure.
I had my excision done yesterday!!!!!!! It wasn't that bad. I had 16 holes done. I get my stitches out next wedsday. I am nervous still, because it is hard to tell what they are going to look like when the stitches are out. If all goes well, then I will probably get it done again and then have some kind of skin resurfacing. I mentioned to my derm about TCA cross method and she said that they have done that on a few people, but she wasnt really crazy about it.
Question for Maya: How long did you wait before you had the second set of excision done and have you had any skin resurfacing done, if so what do you think is best???
This stuff is getting expensive. $750 for just 16 holes.
Lila and Brown Sugar,
Good luck with your excisions. Please keep us posted on your progress. I personally would love to know how the scar on your nose turns out. I am still looking to do something about a scar on my nose and real think that excision is the best option. I already had it done once but i think it failed because the Dr. removed the stitches too early (after 4 days), which caused the scar to open.
Eddy.
Lila, No I could not tell that the scar was opening up either when the stitches were still in or even once they were removed. I only found out after the stitches and the steri strip was removed. I only had my first look at the scar about 3 weeks after the surgery.
I have two appointments with different Dr. tomorrow. I have to do something - the scar bothers me way to much. What I also did was send an e-mail to all plastic surgeons in my area explaining my problem and asking them to respond if they felt they could help. I got a list from our local Plastic Surgeons association and many Dr. included an e-amail address on the list. I'll see if this approach will put me on to a Dr. that is more specialized in treating the type of scar that I have.
I saw from note to Maya that you seem a little worried. Hang in there - It has only been a few days. It is normal that the area is red. Not sure what you mean by approximated? Do you mean that the scar is not closed tightly? Whatever you do don't pic or pull an any of the scars. If you are that worried, I would suggest that you call your surgeon. Sometimes a quick telephone call can put you at ease.
I'll be checking the board throughout the afternoon, so if you have more questions/concerns post them - i'll check in every once in a while.
Eddy.
Eddy.
Lila - First few days, there was a lot of puffiness and redness around the stitches.. after (I think) day 3 or so, the puffiness went down and the scar looked smaller/tighter (I could tell this was happening because at first the stitches were stretched over the scar, then the stitches looked a little looser from day 3 and the scars flatter). Also, by day 3, the congelaed blood around the stitched wasily washed off.
I had 2 excisions where the scar reopened/stitch was not tight enough - It was obvious, the scars hung out of the stitch. Dr Chu said that this happened because the punch had not been large enough, so they were redone. No problem.
The strange thing is, the ones that looked worse when I had the stitches in, actually turned out better. So please, please don't worry too much right now, as it looks very different when 1. the stitches come out and 2. A month after that time.
Like Eddy, I'll check in on you.
Thank you both of you. Maya how long were your stitches in? Edy, by aproximated, I mean, instead of stitch looking like a straight line, it looks like a line opening. Right now I am feeling like if I do have some that need redone, then I should not have to pay again for the ones that need re done. These little scares although bothersome, they are expensive. Did you have to pay to have it redone Maya?
I almost think I should go to another doctor. I remember that fella on the message board going on about how plastic surgeons are better and how you must have a double stitch instead of a single one, and I keep thinking about that.
Oh well, maybe I am just looking at them too much. I dont mess with them, the only time I touch them is when I have to wash my face, which is twice a day. Then I put hydrogen peroxide on them with a q tip then polysporin. Is this what you two had to do?
Well I have to go pick up my little fella from preschool.
Thank you again both of you.
Lila
Lila,
As Maya said, when I had my first procedure, the one scar that look worse at the beginning healed beautifully(better that the rest). If they all healed like that one, I would the happiest camper!!! I know its hard (I've been there), but what you see now is not a real indication of the final result.
As for my excision, the Dr. told me to leave it alone. I did not treat it with any medication what so ever. Not sure if that was good or bad, but I was just following the Dr. orders. She felt that creams could expand the scar. Kind of ironic, give that the scar opened up.
Where are the scars that are of concern to you (forehead, cheaks, nose,etc....)
Hang in there!!!
Eddy.
Lila - the first set of excisions, the stitches were in for nearly 6 days (Dr Chu said to leave them for 5-7 days) bu because I had prominent cuts/marks from where the stitches dug in (they have almost dissapeared now though) that I should only leave the stitches in for 4 days next time (which worked better for me). I think it depends how each individuals face heals.
I did nothing the first time round and second time I applied Manuka 18UMF gel (which is an antbacterial ointment) becasue I didn't have neosporin.
It depends on how your doc views it if a scar re-opens. I didn't pay for either treatments so I can't advise you on that.
Sickofscars,
You may want to try a peel, dermabrasion, or laser. How long did you keep your stitches? I had mine for 4 days and thought it wasn't long enough. Maya had hers for 6-7 days and they left cut marks and will take stitches out after 4 days the next time. I guess its a delicate balance between the scar opening up or leaving cut marks.
Maria,
Thanks for your feedback. I did have punchgraft - that's what started all of this about 5 years ago. In hind sight I should of left everything alone.
Eddy.
Gumby
subcision is a needle with a cutting device that goes under the scars - it's objective is to cut the threads holding the scar down - mainly effective for rolling type or more shallow scars (orange peel)
Punch excision - a punch tool is use to cut a hole surrounding your ice pick/boxcar and then is sewn up
Punch graft - same as above but (I think) a skin graft is taken from another part of your body (normally behind the ear) and sewn onto your old scar area.