Advice, please

[TIM W.]

I haven't seen very much info on this one. I find it very uncomfortable when my shirt rubs on my incision and about 2 inches either side of it. Not really a painful feeling. Just kind of annoying! Has anyone else had this sort of feeling? Any tips you care to share?

 

[Georgia]

Oh, yes, it hurt!!!

Oh, yes, it hurt!!!

Hi, Tim. Mostly everything rubbed and hurt. Started out wearing a silk undershirt under everything (real fine and non-irritating, and solved the cold-from-coumadin problem to boot). The sore spot seemed to get smaller and smaller until I could cover it with a couple of bandaids (surgeon's PA said that was OK).

Good luck. BTW - I got some "Skin Vit. E" oil and it helped (after all scabs off).

 

[Mark Wagner]

After the scab is off, keep the vitamin E. on that scar. I think if you keep at it, it will reduce the size of the final scar. What I couldn't stand was my shirt catching the stiches. Ouch!
Take care. ... Mark

 

[hkitch]

itchy/irritating

itchy/irritating

hi,
I had my open heart surgery september of last year. I coudn't wear a zip up sweater or shirts with snaps because it would make it itchy and uncomfortable. Even now, it's a still a little irritated at the very top of the scar. but it's so much better now than last year.
It just takes a lot of time for all the aches, discomfort, itchiness, etc to go away. I think it's sometimes hard to realize just how much your body goes though when having open heart surgery.

I haven't actually done too much to help the scar heal. I guess i should have but i'm wondering if it's too late.

 

[Georgia]

No, it's not too late to improve the scar. I have two kids who scar badly; the dermatologist told me it's always worthwhile to use Vit. E - can't hurt, often helps. The Vitamin E for Skin Oil is great - it really seems to take a lot of the tugging and pulling out of the scar - must be the moisturizing.

I'm wondering about the new Bandaids being sold - you use them for 21 days - I was looking them over today, altho I don't have a problem with how my incision's healing, I am curious. Seems they might be worth a try. Has anyone tried them?