How do I get my still growing keloid scar removed and how much $?

[PairoDocs]

My scar, which has become increasingly itchy, continues its slow but steady growth, not so much in width as in height, with the bizarre exception of the top part that's actually indented a little bit. It's less vanity and more just simple discomfort. Two of my chest tube scars also continue to grow while the third is flat and nearly invisible (originally the most 'open' and weeping of my chest tubes at the start). I was sewed together with stainless steel wire and my internal muscles were stitched with 'dissolving' sutures and my surface skin was glued. The skin healing was virtually seamless for the first four weeks--no lingering scabs, tenderness, or numb spots. I was looking forward to a hair-line scar that my chest hair would easily cover--no such luck.

Lately, though, I am developing numb spots and feeling that I'm touching the right side of my incision when I'm really on its left.

I was just wondering what people have done about removing scars, and how successful the procedure has been, and if I should have my sternum wires removed as well. My sternum is perfectly aligned and full physical strength again. I can also move my keloid a small amount side to side, so the sternum doesn't seem to be part of the scar, though it could still be attached somewhat--just not stiffly so.

What were the costs? Was there some sort of medical necessity based on discomfort that would allow insurance to remove it. I did have another small keloid removed because it affected one of my sciatic nerves, and insurance covered that. Keloid did not return in that case--I insisted on no use of dissolving sutures--doctor reluctantly complied with my request, but was pleased when the results were so good--just a small hairless dent in my skin now where the keloid had been and total resolution of the sciatic nerve problem--still good to this day 15 years later.

BTW my heart's doing great. I spent all day today at about 7000 feet lugging lots of rocks around at a rock and gem club field trip.

Thanks, Chris

 

[Nancy]

I don't have much information, but wanted to mention that my daughter is a keloid healer. She had a small cyst removed from her back, and the resulting scar was worse than the cyst. It then became infected. So she went to a plastic surgeon to see about reduction of the scar. He wouldn't touch it until the infection was gone. She has not gone back yet for a scar reduction consult.

So, my guess is that plastic surgery is where you need to be. And then I don't know if insurance companies would consider that a medical problem or a cosmetic one.

 

[kfay]

Chris, after my first OHS when I was 17, my scar turned into a terrible keloid. I started going to a plastic surgeon about 6 months post op. He had me do the whole vitamin E thing and then started injecting it with steroids which were unbelievably painful. Neither of these things helped at all. So, about one and a half years post op, he cut the scar back out and I had one, very low dose radiation treatment to help retard scar tissue growth. It was tremendously successful for me. You could hardly see that I had a scar. It was all covered by insurance.

I have a good friend who is a radiology oncologist and he told me radiation is very effective in treating keloids although you may run into Dr.'s who don't know that. My Dr's. at the Mayo didn't even know it. He was all set to take care of it for me this time, but, touch wood, I haven't needed it yet. Laser removal may also be an option for you but I don't know anyone who has had that and how effective it is.

Good luck with this. I know they can be bothersome as well as unsightly.

Kim

 

[geckley]

I keloid really bad. My first wraps all the way around my back from my left arm pit. My sternum scar is huge 3 years out and it itches. I consider mine a badge of courage and I tell my little nieces and nephews that I was attacked by a shark. It amazes them that I survived such a huge attack. As for the itching it gets unbearable and I coat it with lotion. My coarc scar hasn't bothered me for years. Eventually it flattens out and sinks. almost turns skin color. I have been told that mine will just comeback if I try to remove it. So I grin and bear it. I've been told its hereditary and my son keloids worse than me.

 

[Dina]

I'm not sure if what I have is keloid ,but my incision (which was glued) is now raised and itchy sometimes. Its pink/white in color,but not too large.
I have read about the steroid injections,and have begun to use hydrocort.
cream locally on the scar, as an experiment(doc doesnt know).I just started a few days ago so if I get any results, I will let you know so that you can ASK your doctor (since I don't know if this is really safe).
My best-Dina