I'm So Vain - Scar Healing Products

[danb1983]

Hi again,

Thank you all sooooo much for the warm welcomes, I feel at home already

But now down to a serious question.... or arguably a vain, irrelevant, and narcissistic question:

I am not really overly self conscious, I even like to stand out... But I never really tell people about the surgery I had when I was 2 years old.. I find that people don't understand, look at me funny, feel sorry for me, or think that I might die if I over exert myself... Having a visable, nasty, red scar right down my chest is going to mean I can't really get away with not telling people..

Is there any gel / cream or whatever I can use to help heal my scar at a faster rate, and to make it look less obvious in the long term... I realise that it is still going to be obviously visable, but I want to do anything I can to help...

I read about "Mederma" in "The Patientes guide to heart surgery"... Has anyone used this or can recommend any alternatives?

http://www.mederma.com :
"works for old and new scars resulting from surgery, injury, burns, acne and stretch marks. And it's from the #1 doctor- and pharmacist-recommended brand for scars."

Thanks,
Dan

 

[geebee]

Vitamin E oil.

 

[Dina]

My herbal also mentions Calendula and Gotu Kola. I'm not sure if the
Gotu Kola is meant to use locally or systemically,but the Calendula is
used topically.

 

[Jkm7]

Don't put anything on your scar until you are sure it is fully healed. You don't want an infection.

 

[Ross]

Don't put anything on your scar until you are sure it is fully healed. You don't want an infection.

Heed this first and foremost. Once healed, the two best things are Vitamin E oil and Mederma. Nothing is going to make it go away outside of plastic surgery, which means scaring another part of your body somewhere else.

Most of us consider it a badge of honor, winning it in the battle of our lives.

Oh yeah, must have pics and you must join TOOTS too!

 

[Dina]

Don't put anything on your scar until you are sure it is fully healed. You don't want an infection.

I second this and want to add that the first and best thing you can do
to reduce scarring is to prevent infection in the incision.
Dina

 

[danb1983]

Okay, point taken, I will make sure it has healed over.

There is no way I would consider plastic surgery to hide it completely, but I do want to take the edge off it sooner rather than later. I don't want people to look at me like I might implode if the nudge into me thats all

I will be taking pictures at various stages of healing too,

What is TOOTS?

 

[Ross]

TOOTS=The Order Of The Tawdry Shirts.

Sport your best Disco style shirt open and strike up a John Travolta pose for us showing your scar. We have shirts being circulated as well as a running TOOTS bible of all those that have worn the shirt before you.

See the first post here:

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20070

 

[danb1983]

Okay, I'm in, I've got plenty of aweful shirts , or do I have to wait for someone to post me one?

 

[Squashplayer]

I like my scar - believe it or not

I like my scar - believe it or not

Well, my wife likes my scar (3+ years old and getting smoother), and guys in the gym (those who don't know me well) don't know whether to comment or pretend they don't see it, which gives me a chance for a smug, private smile and probably about 2-3 sympathy points per squash match. Those who do know me make lame jokes about my pretty chest and about my having circulation above the shoulders for the first time in years. In short, I'm probably as vain as you, but I rather like my scar. Maybe it's my age that gives perspective, but it does feel like a badge of honor (to quote Ross), and I've never touched it with anything cosmetic. Probably not much help to say this, but I would suggest re-thinking (but not abandoning!) your vanity. And thanks for your posting. You've brought us a smile. Good luck!

 

[WayneGM]

Okay, I'm in, I've got plenty of aweful shirts , or do I have to wait for someone to post me one?

No need to wait. There's lots of variations posted.

As for healing products, everyone is different. I've tried vitamine E, all sorts of lotions, creams, and patches. Nothing has worked. I even went to a skin specialist to see what he could do. NOTHING! So, I have a very dark red, keliod, scar. So now that I've accepted that, I wear it as a badge of honour. It's a great conversation piece. I jokingly tell people I got it in a knife fight...and you should see the other guy Nobody believes me, but it's fun to tell. The way I figure it, it's a small price to pay for a fixed heart.

 

[danb1983]

Okay, if I'm honest I don't like the idea of taking a girl home and taking my top off to reveal a nasty scar.. I imagine it to be quite a passion killer...

Even with past girlfriends once they notice my scar they have even asked me if I'm alright to have ***! And this is from a scar which is barely noticable from when I was 2 years old!!.. I'm sure this situation will be intensified with a fresh scar, and I would just like some way to make it look a little neater / not as "angry"....

I dont care what people think of me in soooo many situations, I enjoy standing out, I have strange opinions, and want to live a different life to the norm....

But I do care about some things: being young, fun, lively, and up for anything, and having women in my life. I don't want people asking me if I'm okay all the time, I don't want people treating me different, looking at me differently, and I certainly don't want girls not sleeping with me cos theyre worried ill have a heart attack. Making the scar a little less "intense" won't cure this I know... but it's a start, and all I can do physically...

Damn, this is an issue in my head, and one I will have to work on I guess, it's strange how writing things down can make you realise things about yourself just writing this I realise it is lame, and won't change anything at all barely... I do care about my appearance is the bottom line, I don't want to stand out in a negative way to attract PITY from my peers...

 

[WayneGM]

Damn, this is an issue in my head, and one I will have to work on I guess, it's strange how writing things down can make you realise things about yourself just writing this I realise it is lame, and won't change anything at all barely... I do care about my appearance is the bottom line, I don't want to stand out in a negative way to attract PITY from my peers...

To be honest, I've found some people quite in awe I've survived heart surgery,and show off the scar to prove it. I think it turns them on My advice...be yourself.

 

[danb1983]

Youre right, it is a small price to pay,

At best it won't be an issue at all, just all in my head, at worst it will be a challenge to overcome, it won't stop me trying and I will find solutions, but I'm still gonna give the mederma a go

 

[Jkm7]

Everyone heals differently and at a different rate.
My scar of four years was reopened for my second OHS end of Februrary. Here it is less than 9 months and it is faded and not at all red and angry. It is noticeable, for sure, but not to freak anyone. I wear low cut dresses and tops and swimsuits and no one yet has seemed to be grossed.
You well could be one of the luckies whose scar heals with no keloid and fades quickly. Closely follow your surgeons instructions for the best chance for the best healing.

The less you make of it, the less the ladies you associate with will make of it.
If they ask, give them an honest answer and let it be.
I don't think they'll freak quite as much as you expect.

 

[Bigheartedgal]

Now I haven't had my open heart surgery yet - scheduled for Nov 24th to get my mitral valve replaced and maze done. However, I am opting for minimally invasive for two reason the lessor recovery time and less scars. This summer I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and I figured with one more scar on my chest I might give Frankenstein a run for his money...

Now I have been using vitamin E oil - it comes in a roll on and I purchased it at GNC when my incisions healed - in addition I am also using maderma. I figured I would use both to help my odds of minimizing scars. My scar is still pretty red but it is early and I know it will fade over time. However, I am of the opinion that I need to like my body scars and all and so I'm working on that. Now that being said - if the person you are with is truly a decent, caring individual and I know I'm sounding sappy - if they really do love you - scars will not be a worry one bit. If my husband had one - I absolutely know I wouldn't care and I know he doesn't think less of me with my breast scars. And the one I'm to get with my port access will be just another reminder of my journey this year and and the gift of life and being present I have been blessed with.

So to some degree I'm being vain too - so I completely understand where you are coming from, so do what you can with the Vitamin E oil and maderma and then don't sweat it - it will be what it is, regardless. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[lisou]

Appearance or life, I chose life and proud of my scar. So be proud of that scar not much we can do about it. Mine went keloid surgeon says nothing will help unless it gets unbearable then I could go for injections but will just relieve not cure it.

 

[ponygirlmom]

On another thread a bunch of us all agreed that the sun really helps. However, I think we were all the "tough-skin" types. In your pic you look really pale, so if you turn into Lobster Man at the beach this may not be the best tip for you.

 

[terodac]

Mederma

Mederma

I have used and love the Mederma! Almost two years 11/27 surgery date! and you have to really look to see mine. Some people don't even notice it until I say something about it. It burned at first, I waited about 6 or 7 months before I started using it. I can't believe it looks as good as it does after I saw it after surgery I was like I will never be able to wear low cut shirts. My daughter told me one day you should be proud of it mama not ashamed of it! Words from a baby! what can I say!! They also make one with sun block in it now. Walmart sells it cheaper than anyone else! Good Luck! Besides you are way to cute to worry about anything! Everything is going to be just fine! Trust God!

 

[Guest]

it's strange how writing things down can make you realise things about yourself

Yes.

just writing this I realise it is lame,

No.

It is NOT lame. I find myself thinking similar thoughts as you ... the only difference being, perhaps, is that I've never had ***, let alone a real girlfriend. So, my "concerns" about the scar issue and the "will you die if we do this?" queries are probably a bit more than yours....

*sighs*

I better shut up now.



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