Post Surgery Scar Therapy

[lieb2101]

I tried searching the site to find information but I didn't have much luck so I'll start a new thread so this info is all in one place. Sorry if this has already been done in the past.

I've been trying to find out some good information on what and when something can be done about minimizing my scar. I'm 3 weeks post surgery and my scabs are almost gone. I've repeatedly asked my doctor, nurses, and physician's assistants about scar therapy and if they have any suggestions. NO ONE seems to have an opinion or really care about what it looks like as long as it stays closed and infection free. I know that's important and it's my primary priority but I'd like to do what I can to improve its cosmetic appearance as well.

What methods/products have you successfully used for cosmetic scar therapy?
At what point did you begin treating your scar after surgery?
Are there any treatments that I should avoid or be wary of?
Are there any risks I should know about?
Should I just forget about it and let my body do it's best?

I'm sure others will have similar questions. I'm just happy that this is one of my bigger questions at this point with everything else in consideration.

Thanks!
-Brian

 

[AgilityDog]

Personally, I've used Mederma. But my friend's sister, who had cosmetic surgery, says her surgeon recommended the following:
http://http://wound.smith-nephew.com/us/Standard.asp?NodeId=3023
I've not tried it. Except for one little keloid patch, my main scar is pretty gorgeous at 16 months out. The pacemaker scar got wide from the stretching of the bionic content .

 

[Ross]

Obviously your never going to hide it, but make it look lighter, don't know what term I'm looking for here. Anyway, Vitamin E applied to it, either of the creams mentioned. There is more I'm sure.

 

[MikeHeim]

I'm hoping you get some good replies as I am also very interested in the answer. My scar is about 5.5" and 90% of it is almost invisible (or at least gets lost in my red fur). There are, however, three red raised bumps (about a 1/2" each) that I would like to get rid of. I remember someone mentioning that cortizone shots helped that specific issue, and I've been meaning to ask about it during my last several Cardio appointments. For some reason I always seem to forget.

 

[Adrienne]

I used vitamin E at about the 5th week. I'm not sure it did anything. I then used silicon strips last year for a few months. I'm not sure that did anything either.

 

[Cooker]

I just grew hair over mine

 

[Bina]

After mine healed it got very itchy and made me crazy.
My nurse daughter got me a small tube of "NormL" gel from the hospital and it was a huge help.
Be very careful of anything with fragrance or anything greasy.

 

[Philip B]

Scar

Scar

I agree with Cooker. Once the hair grows back on your chest, you won't even notice your scar.

On a more serious note, I did use Mederma while the hair was growing back. The cream did lighten my scars. The "bullet holes" lightened substantially.

-Philip

 

[MrP]

Your scar will heal remarkably well over time without any treatment. At 3 weeks post-op, you should not worry at all about the cosmetics. Please know your scar will improve significantly over time. I was advised not to use creams or try to treat the scar within the first several months...maybe even first year...to avoid infection. I'll go back and look at my discharge notes and update this info if I find anything useful.
All my best,
MrP

 

[Susan BAV]

If you are eventually cleared by your doctors to use Vitamin E on your scar, be sure and get a natural Vitamin E caplet with d-alpha (and not dl-alpha, which is synthetic) and puncture the caplet and apply gently; you can store the opened caplet in a baggy in your fridge until you've used all of the stuff. It can stain your clothing so be careful but I've read that it can even help an old scar. That's what works best, in my experience.

I used what I described--just a regular bottle of oral Vitamin E (d-alpha) liquid caplets--for years on my sons when they were young, including their horrendous cases of childhood chicken pox and poison oak, and they hardly have any visible scars.

I figure there is nothing I can do to help my most recent heart surgery scar--and I really haven't tried anything because it is just one of several scars--so I generally wear a shirt with a higher neckline.

 

[Freddie]

Once my scabs started to itch, the doc told me to use Vitamin E ointment. Yes its a bit greasy, but it softened the scabs and reduced the itch. Just wear an old t-shirt under your clothing if you are willing to give this a try. I like to think that the 'E' has lighten the scar - but all takes time.

Good Luck

 

[Debbie]

scar

scar

I have this question too. I got a scar cream to put on it, but not sure when I should use it. Could more people post about cream, I'm also 3 weeks post-op. My scar is dry and itchy, was not sure what to put on it, I used alittle vaseline, what do you guys think, good idea or not?? Thanks Debbie

 

[Freddie]

Hey Debbie, not sure if the Vaseline will help with the itch - it might. It will soften up the scabs (in time) and therefor might stop the pulling sensation coming from the scabs.

Good Luck

(I just use Vitamin E ointment)

 

[Debbie]

scar

scar

Another question, can i put sunscreen on my chest and on my scar?? I've been out walking everyday and already getting lots of sun ( I live in So. Cal ) I'm 3 weeks post-op and no more scabs. Debbie

 

[MikeHeim]

Another question, can i put sunscreen on my chest and on my scar?? I've been out walking everyday and already getting lots of sun ( I live in So. Cal ) I'm 3 weeks post-op and no more scabs. Debbie

Debbie-
Part of my discharge instructions was that I should not allow ANY direct sunlight on my scar for at least six months. Apparently the sunlight can hinder the healing process and permanently darken the scar.

Mike

 

[Rebecca]

This summer I had a lumpectomy. At my two week check up with the surgeon I asked if I could use vitamin e or mederma. My surgeon told me that mederma worked better. During radiation therapy twice my doctor complements me on how well my scar had healed up. At my six month follow up visit for a mammogram the technician had to turn the lights up and I had to point to my scar so she could mark it on my chart. I vote for mederma.

 

[Susan BAV]

...Part of my discharge instructions was that I should not allow ANY direct sunlight on my scar for at least six months. Apparently the sunlight can hinder the healing process and permanently darken the scar...

I'm sure this is true about the darkening. Interestingly, when I had my first heart surgery, a doctor recommended I find a way to get a little sunshine on that scar, to promote healing; the darkening wasn't mentioned.

Does anyone know if some sunshine can hinder or promote healing? Or maybe the answer is in a limited moderation of sun exposure?

 

[Debbie]

sun

sun

I just posted my scar pic and if you look at it the part that has gotten sun you can barely see it. I want to put sunscreen on because I'm outside alot and usually put sunscreen on everyday. I don't have any shirts that can cover up the scar and don't plan on buying any either. I don't like any clothing near my neck or chest. I think I need to call the doc. on this one because I need to wear sunscreen. Debbie

 

[JAJ99]

I recently purchased BioOil (I bought it at Walgreens). I've used it for about one week now and either it's my imagination or wishful thinking, but it does seem to be working. It's made specifically for scars. It contains vitamin E along with other ingredients. It's also not nearly as greasy as Vitamin E oil.

 

[TinaK]

My original scar is circa 1980...from that experience I would recommend that if you are in the sun to put 50 block screen on for the first 6 months or cover it up in the sun. My first scar actually expanded becauseI got it sunburned 3 months after surgery (I was 13...knew no better!) My new scar will not see the sun ever without sunscreen
I guess us ladies are out of luck on the growing of chest hair!