POSTED UNDER Reviews REVIEWS
Laser Treatment of Tummy Tuck Scar. Santa Monica, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 18 month post op from a full tummy tuck which...
I'm 18 month post op from a full tummy tuck which turned out well but my scar detracts from the awesome results. Despite trying every scar treatment under the sun, it is still very pigmented and a bit spread out. I did my real self research and found THE DOC to go to for scar treatment and had my consult today.
So I arrived at Dr. Karamanoukian's office at 11:50 for my 12:15 consult. Waiting room was packed so I thought I might be waiting a long time. I was given the usual new patient forms to fill out and was pleased to find that most of those waiting had emptied out rather quickly. I was called in by 12:30 by the doctor himself . He was very friendly and easy to talk to and gave me all the time I needed to go over each of my areas of concern. He explained his plan for treatment which would include two types of lasers (pulsed dye and CO2 fractional?). Then he told me it was probably going to take at least 15, yes 15, treatments to see good results. Wow that's a lot of trips to Santa Monica in LA traffic on my precious weekends. But, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Instead of a per treatment price, he gave me a one time price, for a set amount of time, in which I could cram in as many treatments as possible. Still going to be difficult to get out there 3 x per month, but I am determined. I asked if we could start treatments right then and there and he was a bit surprised that I didn't opt to take time to think about it. Believe me I have been thinking about it for over a year and have done my research. Also it helps that I'm not laser phobic as I've has laser hair removal treatments before. LET'S DO IT! So we moved on into the lasering room I singed the proper release and we were done in a flash (pun intended). Just the VBeam for this treatment. For the most part no pain. For a few seconds it felt like that stinging feeling when you are getting sandblasted at the beach, but nothing I couldnt handle.
...posting before pics here. Will wait a few treatments before I post updated pics.
So I arrived at Dr. Karamanoukian's office at 11:50 for my 12:15 consult. Waiting room was packed so I thought I might be waiting a long time. I was given the usual new patient forms to fill out and was pleased to find that most of those waiting had emptied out rather quickly. I was called in by 12:30 by the doctor himself . He was very friendly and easy to talk to and gave me all the time I needed to go over each of my areas of concern. He explained his plan for treatment which would include two types of lasers (pulsed dye and CO2 fractional?). Then he told me it was probably going to take at least 15, yes 15, treatments to see good results. Wow that's a lot of trips to Santa Monica in LA traffic on my precious weekends. But, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Instead of a per treatment price, he gave me a one time price, for a set amount of time, in which I could cram in as many treatments as possible. Still going to be difficult to get out there 3 x per month, but I am determined. I asked if we could start treatments right then and there and he was a bit surprised that I didn't opt to take time to think about it. Believe me I have been thinking about it for over a year and have done my research. Also it helps that I'm not laser phobic as I've has laser hair removal treatments before. LET'S DO IT! So we moved on into the lasering room I singed the proper release and we were done in a flash (pun intended). Just the VBeam for this treatment. For the most part no pain. For a few seconds it felt like that stinging feeling when you are getting sandblasted at the beach, but nothing I couldnt handle.
...posting before pics here. Will wait a few treatments before I post updated pics.
NicoleGW's provider
Replies (6)
UPDATED FROM NicoleGW
5 days post
5 days after 1st treatment
I see improvement. Motivated to continue with treatments. :)
Replies (8)
February 27, 2015
Wow!! I'm excited to see ur results as u get more treatments. My scar is somewhat thick on some areas. It's been 6 months for me post op. I'll see how it gets as time goes by. If not to my expectations I will definitely go to this dr. Thank u for sharing keep updating us. Can u please tell me how many treatments you are getting in the package u bought and how much please? So I can have an idea. More likely I will get the treatment.
March 25, 2015
I have 5 months of treatments. I can only get out to the office 3 times a month, so approximately 15 treatments. I paid the consultation and treatments all at once so paid a total of $1420.00. If you think you will have issues better to start treatment sooner rather than later. I previously got a price from a different laser center charging $300-$500 per treatment! So if I need 15 treatments that would have been upwards of $5000!
March 25, 2015
Thank u for answering my question and giving me your advise.
Oh wow that's a huge difference. I should make an appt with Dr. Raffy ASAP. Can I use u as a reference? Another question, what percentage rate did he give u for the appearance of your scar after treatment?
March 25, 2015
He hasn't given me any absolute guarantees. But in terms of improvement once all is said and done he has said I can expect the scar to look better than the best looking part of my scar now. ( I have sections of my scar that I've indicated I would like my whole scar to look like if that makes sense. Just know his initial consultation does cost. Also his pricing will probably vary based upon the type of lasering you need and how much of each kind and how long treatment will take. But he won't sugar coat it, it's a long process and patience is key.
March 26, 2015
Wow with that answer I would've definitely start the treatment ASAP just like u did. N I totally understand what u meant about the scar. Im motivated. Mine is not as think as yours. Mine is more right in the center that's thick/wide. Thank u u're a doll. Keep us updated. I really appreciate you responding my questions/concerns.
March 20, 2015
Can't wait to see more pics as you progress.
My biggest hesitation with getting a tummy tuck are the terrible scars. Almost look worse than stretch marks... :(
Feel like there may be hope.
March 25, 2015
Even if nothing could be done for the scars I would still have gotten the tuck done. I think dissolvable stitches do not agree with me and I may have not scarred as badly if traditional sutures were used... But can't go back to change that now.
UPDATED FROM NicoleGW
1 month post
CO2 laser
So far 3 pulsed Dye laser treatments in and 1 CO2 laser treatment. CO2 was done 3 days ago. Despite numbing cream and loss of sensitivity in some areas of my scar this treatment was not pleasant but tolerable for the possible benefits . Plus doctor let me yip and yelp as much as needed as I was the last patient in the office. The pain came and went quickly and he said I would be quite uncomfortable the next day, but I have not had any issues with pain since. So :)
Right now still healing. The laser burns thousands of tiny columns of skin which is why it looks dotted. This treatment is supposed to improve the texture of the scar.
Right now still healing. The laser burns thousands of tiny columns of skin which is why it looks dotted. This treatment is supposed to improve the texture of the scar.
Replies (1)
April 1, 2015
Thank you for posting your progress. I would really love a TT and am concerned about scars. So if this works for you, it gives me a lot of hope it could work for me too! Best of luck with the rest of your treatments!
Definitely keep posting the picture updates as you go through the treatments. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that this works well:)