laser treatment on a scar

creditcardking_2

Suewre wrote:

About 6 months ago I had a lump removed from my breast. The operation went well, and the lump was benign. But I now have a large, raised, very red scar. It is about 9cm in length, and about 3/4 cm wide. It is quite high on my breast, so in a swimming costume the whole thing is visible, and in a V necked jumper the end is visible. I saw the plastic surgeon at the hospital on Thursday and he said there was nothing he could do for it. It is a bit raised, and he said if he tried to cut it out, it would only reform in the same way (something about me obviously being genetically disposed to lumpy scars?).

He said the only thing that could help was laser treatment to reduce the redness. Only this is not available on the NHS. He has referred me to the Nuffield in Exeter, but he wasn't sure how much it would cost. He said about £175 for the consultation and initial treatment, and then it would be decided how many treatments I needed.

On the one hand, I would like my scar to be a lot less red. On the rare occasions that I do go out, there are some tops of mine that I don't feel I can wear. If I am wearing a top where a bit of the scar can be seen I catch people staring at it.

On the other hand, I am very much aware that I could have an awful lot more to be concerned about than the colour and size of a scar, and it could cost a lot of money just for my vanity. What if the lump comes back (they don't know why it formed in the first place) and they have to operate again? That would be money down the drain.

Anyone know a bit more about the costs involved? Or how many treatments it is likely to take?

DH says it is up to me. He says he doesn't notice the scar, he is just greatful everything went ok.

A friend of mine has Keloid skin, she had a cortisone injection into the scar and it really helped it.

Savvy_Sue

Suewre wrote:

I was given my result by the consultant surgeon over the phone. "Good morning Mrs ***, this is Mr ***, I have the results, they have decided it is a benign tumor. Goodbye"

Some doctors need to realise that what to them is routine is slightly more personal to those of us on the receiving end of their ministrations!

Suewre

I am glad I decided not to have the laser treatment. They sent me an appointment, along with a price list.

Initial consultation and a patch test is £169, then treatment is £299 for minor treatment (7 to 50 pulses) and £404 for intermediate treatment (51 to 150 pulses) and £536 for major treatment (151 to 300 pulses).

skintchick

I agree with others - it takes 12 months for the body to heal properly ater an operation, so give it a bit more time.

On the Red Cross make-up - all I'd say is that it is very thick and noticable, and will rub off on your clothes. I tried it once on my birthmark but decided it looked so awful I'd rather have the birthmark! Although it is on my hand and that's a difficult place for make-up to stay put on.

trace-j

Can't they do ultrasound on it, it increases the circulation in the area to help it heal better? I had that on some surgical scars on my feet and that made them settle down and less pronunced.