I'm back...

Hello.

It's been about a year since my surgery, and my scar is back :(

Super itchy. Super shiny. Super painful and annoying as ever.

When I graduated from college, I lost my health insurance and could no longer pay for my doctor visits.
Because I could not afford it, I stopped my scar treatments and follow-up appointments.

I came back to blogger, and was very inspired by my commenters.
There is so little research and information about keloids out there, but this also means that there are A LOT of people out there who want to know more about keloids! Because of the responses that I've gotten from sharing my story...I am inspired to keep sharing. We deserve it.

If there is a treatment that works, I want to share it. If there is a treatment that hasn't worked, I want to share it.

Thank you for sharing your story and for reading mine.

Healing Well

Morning Before Surgery:

One Week After Surgery:

Today:

Hey guys!
So, as you can tell from the picture, I am healing very well!
Because my skin is so acne prone, my doctor prescribed me clindamycin phosphate topical lotion so that I won't develop any black heads in my surgery scar. On my last visit, I had all my stitches removed and the doctor noticed that I had developed a black head in my scar. She was able to removed it, but she wanted me to apply the clindamycin lotion on my scar 2 times a day so that the healing process would be 100%. In my opinion, it looks great!

I am also starting to use Scarguard MD which is supposed to diminish the appearance of scars. You can learn about them here: http://www.scarguard.com/
They are not paying me to put their name out there or anything, and to be honest, I don't even know if it works. But I'll keep you updated, and if it works for me, then I'll definitely let you know.

One stitch removed

Post Surgery

I changed my bandages yesterday morning.

Notice that the smaller keloid is still there. This is because the Doctor didn't want to remove the scar on the same day because it is so close to the other keloid that was removed. Because my skin is being pulled together to heal, the Doctor didn't want to risk my stitches falling apart by pulling more skin in the opposite direction. Nonetheless, the smaller keloid will be treated once the cut from the first surgery is healed.

I can't wait until my chest is completely healed. I bought my first v-neck in 5 years today. I can't wait to rock it. I can't wait to wear lower cut shirts. I've been deprived of high collars and scarves for way too long.

It is late, and I am a bit sleepy.
Returning to work tomorrow so I better be heading to bed.

Goodnight reader.

Keloid Scar Removal Surgery

Hey guys,
So the last time I was on here, I told you all that I had an appointment with the Plastics Surgery Department. The Doctor took a look at my keloid, and I explained to her that I was being seen for the same keloids since 2010 and getting treated with steroid injections with no progress or results. She suggested that we try a different form of treatment, that is surgery. So, a week later I was booked to see her again for the removal of my scar.

I have to admit, I was super nervous. I've read about how other people have their scars removed and it comes back bigger. I don't really know what is going to happen, but I can only wait and see. The keloid was removed Friday morning, and it is now Sunday night. I am still recovering and the bandage has not yet been removed. I haven't seen what my chest looks like.


I'll be sure to keep you updated once the bandages are removed.

I'll be going back in one week to have my stitches removed (and to get a steroid injection so that my scar will not grow back). Then I'll go back again for a check up.

Anyway, here is a picture of my scar the morning before it was removed. Hopefully, the next picture will be of my keloid free chest (and bad ass surgery scar)!

Infected Keloid (Do not read if squeamish)

I live in California, and last week the weather was pretty extreme. We had 90-100 degree weather which aggravated my keloids on my chest. I had trouble sleeping at night, and my keloids were extra sensitive to the touch. I couldn't even put on my seatbelt correctly, because the belt hurt my scars so badly. By the end of the week, I think my biggest keloid scar was infected. It grew a blister like bump on top of the keloid. It was soft to the touch (not like that of a regular keloid). Keloids are often stiff and tough, but the new bump that grew atop of my keloid was soft and I don't know a better word to describe it---"squishy." It felt like a blister. I tried to release the pain by poking a clean (sanitized) needle through it, but nothing happened.

Monday night, I took a picture of my keloid before I went to sleep.

Pretty nasty, right?
It felt pretty nasty too.

Anyway, I set an appointment to see a Dermatologist for the next day (Tuesday) after I took this picture.

The first place I called said they didn't have any appointments until November 6th. It was so bothersome. I was so stressed out. I called different hospitals to see someone the next day. Luckily, someone cancelled their appointment and I was able to see someone at Oakland Kaiser. It wasn't my regular Dermatologist, but I was glad someone was taking a look at it.

The next day when I was getting ready for my Dermatology appointment, I noticed that my white shirt had a small stain where my keloid was located. Then, I noticed that my keloid was wet. I think what happened was that my keloid released the "infected" blood when I was asleep. Basically, it bursted on its own.

Anyway, my doctor referred me to the Plastics Surgery Department. I have an appointment to see them next week.


Until next time!

Aug 1, 2012