Loop recorder scar stretching

Hi everyone,

I hope it's okay to post here, it's not about a pacemaker but is still a device!

I'm 22 and just over 3 months ago I had a loop recorder implanted to try to capture an irregular rhythm and I'm a bit concerned about the scar I have.

It started off quite thin but over the past few months has stretched quite a bit because of the tension underneath and is still very red.

I know it's silly to worry about but I'm concerned that the colour isn't going to improve if the scar is still being stretched. I don't really want it to stretch much more either if I can somehow avoid it.

I've attached a photo of the scar which you should be able to view here.

http://imgur.com/gBBkHHs

Does anyone else have experience with anything similar? I've been trying out silicone sheets on it but it doesn't seem to be helping really.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

8 Comments

I would check

by Theknotguy - 2015-09-27 04:09:50

You may have to go to another doctor or plastic surgeon to see if that needs to be addressed. In any case I would check with someone to see what's going on.

While I am not a doctor and don't know if this is normal or not, it doesn't look normal to me. But that's a lay person's opinion. It doesn't hurt to ask. And it would be better to ask and know for sure than to continue to wonder.

Hope you get some good answers.

Keloid

by 0300hours - 2015-09-27 08:09:02

I agree. Looks like keloid formation to me also.

Reply to knotguy

by mhibs - 2015-09-27 08:09:30

Hi Theknotguy, thanks for the reply!

I suppose I'll make an appointment with my GP about it sometime soon. I think it could just be because I'm young and slim, my skin is already tight over my chest, so having something under it has pulled the scar how it is. Maybe when the loop recorder is removed they could cut out the scar.

If anyone else has seen anything similar please feel free to post!

Thanks again!

Keloid

by gertrude - 2015-09-27 08:09:54

Looks like it could be a keloid scar. You could see a dermatologist. They usually inject them with steroids to make them shrink. They can keep growing if untreated.

Might still be...

by gertrude - 2015-09-28 07:09:31

If it's not raised (couldn't tell from the photo) it still may be what is known as a hypertrophic scar. Just a reaction from stress and stretching on a healing wound causes excessive scar tissue growth to appear. Still think your GP should refer you to dermatology for a consult. It's not an emergency matter but you are young and cosmetically, you want it to look the best it can. Good luck!

Keloids

by mhibs - 2015-09-28 12:09:41

Thanks for the input gertrude and 0300hours, can you still get keloid scars that aren't raised? Mine is flat at the moment but i'll definitely be seeing my GP and see what they think about it. I'm in the UK so they'd have to refer me to a dermatologist if needs be.

Thanks again for the help!

I think its normal!

by athlete735516 - 2015-10-08 02:10:38

I am 17 and I also have a loop recorder. I got mine almost two months ago and have the same thing. the skin is healed but i am left with a scar that is large and red. Mine looks to be about half as thick as yours but you have also had yours for longer. I think that it is normal that younger people with tighter skin would have larger scars because it is constantly being stretched.

Thanks for the reply!

by mhibs - 2015-10-11 08:10:39

Hi Athlete!

Thanks for the info about your loop recorder, I guess maybe it is just the tighter skin! I still haven't seen my doctor yet but am going to tomorrow so I'll update!

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