Keloid Scarring After Liposuction?

Question

I'm a white female in my 20's and considering geting liposuction. I've been told I have keloid scaring after I had my ears pierced. I'm wanting to know if I'll get these scars from a liposuction procedure? If so, will they be big?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Keloid scarring is more prone in earlobes, chest and upper outer arms. However, as you have a tendency towards Keloids, you do have a greater chance of having a liposuction insertion scar develop a hypertrophic scar, or a keloid. This may only develop two months after surgery and surgical revision may not make it better, it even could make it worse. Cortisone injections, repeated every several weeks, may be necessary to thin the scars and this can cause lightening of color and a depression in the contour underneath the scar. If a keloid forms, it may not respond to any treatment and may persist indefinitely. This is a risk that you need to discuss thoroughly with your physician.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Keloid scars can occur after any type of skin injury. I would heed your personal history of keloids and treat the scars aggressively after your liposuction. Liposuction is still a viable option for you.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

The scars from liposuciton are very small and put in areas that are usually hidden.  It is not a real indication.  You may have keloid on your ears but different areas of your body may heal just fine.
Your doctor will keep an eye on these areas and can inject the scars if there is any indication of the scars becoming thick.
Good luck.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Even if you do get keloids from earlobe piercings, it is unlikely that you would develop keloids in the tiny liposuction scars. Any scarring can be prevented or treated with cortisone creams or injections starting about 2 weeks after the liposuction procedure so don't worry. Get your liposuction done now.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Keloids are common in ear lobes, but not in liposuction scars. It can happen but the scars are hidden and are quite small. Discuss this with the surgeon before surgery.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

A keloid is excessive scaring that extends beyond the edge of the wound. A hypertrophic scar is a rope scar that does not extend beyond the confined of the actual wound when healed. Keloids are harder to deal with than hypertrophic scars. For you, it is advisable that you bring this concern to the attention of your cosmetic surgery practitioner so they can assess how you ears healed and also look at any other scars on your body to provide solid guidence regarding how you might heal from liposuction. The problem should be manageable but it should be specifically addressed during your consultation with your liposuction surgeon.

Scott Tucker, MD · Answer

Keloids on earlobes are realatively common. It would be extremely unlikely to get keloids at liposuction incisions. It is possible, just not probable.
Good luck with your surgery.
Dr T

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you truly have ear keloid scars, then it is always possible that the liposuction incisons can become a keloid. This is very uncommon but possible.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

Keloid scarring in the ears with piercing is not uncommon and usually does not have an association with keloid scarring elsewhere. Any injury to the skin can heal with abnormal scarring. During the healing phase your surgeon should monitor your scarring and can do things to help reduce the risk of poor scarring.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

The incisions for the liposuction are very small and they heal well. Discuss your concern with your doctor and let him examine your earlobe. he will be able to advise better.

Keloid Scarring After Liposuction?

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