Nope1's Diary - Scar Tissue

[nope1]

5 months post-op

-no major changes

-I took poloraids again today, and in comparison to 4 months post-op, my chest looks a bit better, but I think its because I'm working out still.

-I think I am getting keloid scars across my nipple (my surgeon cut through the nipple not 3 o'clock - 9o'clock)...so its making my actual nipple really pointy and larger...not the whole areola, just the nipple...I am going in a few weeks to get a steroid injection into the scar tissue to dissolve it, so hopefully that works

-It still looks like I have puffy nips, and I'm starting to think its left over gland and not scar tissue.  I got an ultrasound done, but they told me they don't know if its gland or scar tissue, so that didn't help

-I am also seeing Dr. Fielding in Toronto on Jan 31 for the first time, for a revision, he did not do the original surgery.  I see my original surgeon earlier in January 2005 for the steroid injection, and for him to figure out what the hell he needs to do to correct it...but I'm gonna have Fielding do it if I need a revision or lipo

[nope1]

Update - 5 1/2 months post op

I went to my PS today to get steroid injections into the scar tissue, both underneath the skin and on the surface of the skin...he said I have developed hypertrophic/keloid scars and the steroid injections will dissolve the scar tissue.  He said there is scar tissue actually in the little bit of leftover gland and thats why its pushing out my nipples making them look puffy.  He said the tissue will dissolve gradually over the next 6 weeks, and if I need more injections, he will do it in 6 weeks.  I'm pretty optimistic this will help a lot.

[johnpaullino]

did the scar tissue go away with the shots
yet>?

[nope1]

6 months post-op

It's now been 2.5 weeks since I had the steroid/cortisone injections and they have worked quite well!  This is definately the best improvement I have seen throughout my entire process (well except for the surgery itself).  The injections have dissolved about half of the scar tissue I had underneath the skin, which I'm pretty happy about considering it's only been 2.5 weeks.  I am having my 2nd round of shots on Feb 15, 2005 which will be 6 weeks after the first ones.  I think the 2nd shots might completely dissolve the scar tissue, and I'm pretty excited    It looks like something is finally working.  I am also seeing Dr. Fielding in Toronto for the first time, to give an opinion of my original surgeon's work, and to discuss revision options (most likely just some lipo, since it was never done)  The keloids/hypertrophic scars I developed on the nipples have also reduced about the same as the scar tissue underneath the nipple (but maybe not quite as much)...but the outer scars should flatten on their own anyway.  They're not true keloids, it sounds worse than it looks...I will be posting pics once I have the final results along with some before pics.  

Anyway, after I get the lipo done (if I need it), and the next round of injections, I actually think my chest might look normal as early as April...I will continue to update every month  

[Chorlton]

Its good to hear.  Can we see some pics

[nope1]

Its good to hear.  Can we see some pics

I will when it's completely gone, i'm still too self conscious about it to even post it on here    :-/  sorry, but I will post them eventually!  

[Chorlton]

you have got nothing to be scared of.  Just take a pic with out showing your face.  But its up to you.

[noshirt]

it seems not much happened until the 6 month mark, its been going down quicker since then.  April would be great, just in time for a nice base tan for summer

[johnpaullino]

6 months post-op

It's now been 2.5 weeks since I had the steroid/cortisone injections and they have worked quite well!  This is definately the best improvement I have seen throughout my entire process (well except for the surgery itself).  The injections have dissolved about half of the scar tissue I had underneath the skin, which I'm pretty happy about considering it's only been 2.5 weeks.  I am having my 2nd round of shots on Feb 15, 2005 which will be 6 weeks after the first ones.  I think the 2nd shots might completely dissolve the scar tissue, and I'm pretty excited    It looks like something is finally working.  I am also seeing Dr. Fielding in Toronto for the first time, to give an opinion of my original surgeon's work, and to discuss revision options (most likely just some lipo, since it was never done)  The keloids/hypertrophic scars I developed on the nipples have also reduced about the same as the scar tissue underneath the nipple (but maybe not quite as much)...but the outer scars should flatten on their own anyway.  They're not true keloids, it sounds worse than it looks...I will be posting pics once I have the final results along with some before pics.  

Anyway, after I get the lipo done (if I need it), and the next round of injections, I actually think my chest might look normal as early as April...I will continue to update every month  

HOly DAMn thats awsome, is it really goin away? cuz i got some hard tissue under my left nipple/but my right side of my chest is perfect,just muscle and im 1.5 months post op . Will the shots really do it ? Where can i get some

[nope1]

HOly DAMn thats awsome, is it really goin away? cuz i got some hard tissue under my left nipple/but my right side of my chest is perfect,just muscle and im 1.5 months post op . Will the shots really do it ? Where can i get some

Yes, its really going away.  The shots work.  Your PS can give you the shots.  Its a very common procedure to dissolve scar tissue - atheletes do it all the time if they develop scar tissue in their joints after tearing muscle tissue or ligaments.

My PS injected it right in his office, kinda hurts while he's injecting, but who cares, it works.  Its only tender for a day or so.  You should wait at LEAST 4-5 months post-op before getting shots.  Your PS will tell you the same, and likely won't do the injections until then

[nope1]

6 months, 10 days post-op Update

I saw Dr. Fielding in Toronto today for a consultation for revision.   He basically told me that I do have some fat on my chest, but it looks like all the gland is gone.  He thinks the extra fat might be pushing my nipples out a bit, because although there is some scar tissue, it's not a lot.  He said if he was me, he wouldn't bother with lipo because it looks okay.  But he did admit there is a little more fat than there should be for my size (I'm pretty thin).  He said he thinks the outter scarring is NOT keloid, he said they are minor hypertrophic scars and he is confident they will go away on their own.  He actually said he wouldn't give me cortisone steroid injections even if I wanted them because he really thinks they look like they going away, and they will disappear on their own.  He said all I need is lipo, no excision, and that if I decide I want the lipo, then to just call his office and book it.  I plan to call tomorrow and book for the week of March 21, 2005.  I am still dieting and losing weight, so I want to wait until end of March for the lipo incase the dieting gets rid of the extra fat on its own.  I also have my 2nd series of injections with my original PS on Feb 15, 2005. So it looks like this might all be over with soon, if all goes as planned  

[mysterio]

interesting...

i think i'm going to call fielding and take your initiative. i'm in the same boat as you, but do not want to get the injections. his opinion always seems fair and balanced.

[johnpaullino]

hey nope1 how about them pics , so how does ur chest look? did the scar tissue leave?

[nope1]

hey nope1 how about them pics , so how does ur chest look? did the scar tissue leave?

no, I won't be putting up pics for a few months.  I have lipo with fielding booked Mar 21, 2005.  And also, I need to have more injections with my original PS Dr. Assad on Feb 15, 2005

[vaio]

nope1, post some of thoes poloroid pictures you took. They will help.