Question about wiring the breastbone

[Lynlw]

Perhaps the closing job is a factor, but I think there are inherent traits of the patient at play, too. After my surgery, all the nurses and others who inspected my incision remarked on how great a job Dr. David does with the the incision. It was very straight and very evenly sewn up. However, I am just prone to scaring and forming keloids so mine has healed as a very straight, but dark, and somewhat thick, noticable scar. I doubt it will fade enough to blend in to my normal skin tone. And if I live to be 200, I'd never grow enough chest hair to hide it.

Oh well, so since it's impossible to hide, I show it off as a badge of honour

I agree it probably has more to do with the patient than, if they used glue or strips, which did yours use? I'm guessing glue since they could see the incision while you were in. Or maybe stitches. (see i should be a detective lol)

 

[Cooker]

Maybe that is why the barber shop thought you were a senior? What color is all that chest hair?

Salt and pepper????.mostly salt these days Just because there is frost on the playing field don't mean there's no grip on the tires

 

[Bina]

I also have a few bumps in the middle section of the scar from wires.....I HATE touching it....too gross. The actual incision line is getting white and better looking.....Maybe I need to grow some monkey fur

 

[Cooker]

What about the geographical location of your scar??mine is left of center??but then again so am I. I really though it would be in the center. I guess it is surgeons choice.

 

[WayneGM]

I agree it probably has more to do with the patient than, if they used glue or strips, which did yours use? I'm guessing glue since they could see the incision while you were in. Or maybe stitches. (see i should be a detective lol)

They used dissolving stitches. Really really fine ones.

 

[Bina]

I wonder why only cooker has an "off center" scar????
And I would never want staples again, I would beg for regular stitches.

 

[WayneGM]

What about the geographical location of your scar??mine is left of center??but then again so am I. I really though it would be in the center. I guess it is surgeons choice.

Mine is almost dead centre. If anything, it may be a fraction to the right.

 

[Cooker]

I wonder why only cooker has an "off center" scar????
And I would never want staples again, I would beg for regular stitches.

Now let me say this about that Staples!!! Dr Frankenstein I presume I expected staples but I was glued

 

[Bina]

I had those freako staples for 9 days....until some evil nurse had the time to try and rip them out cuz now they were a bit stuck!
And there were LOTS of them.

 

[Cooker]

I had those freako staples for 9 days....until some evil nurse had the time to try and rip them out cuz now they were a bit stuck!
And there were LOTS of them.

Ask for a refund

 

[sonavogel]

It would also be interesting to add to the mix how many regularly applied vitamin E oil and that other concoction (forget the name) to the incision stitches or glue or whatever as it was healing, versus those who did not. Whether that might have had an effect on the smoothness and paleness of the resulting scar. No?

 

[WayneGM]

I tried vitamin E and broke out in a rash. The itch was worse than the scar!

 

[Bina]

Nope. No vitamin E oil....yukky.
the first winter my skin got dry and itchy, especially around the drain tube site.
I used a hypo allergenic moisture cream around there.
And my daughter (nurse) got me something called "normal" gel.
It can go directly on the scar, will seal it, and is completely neutral. Great stuff!

 

[Cooker]

Nope. No vitamin E oil....yukky.
the first winter my skin got dry and itchy, especially around the drain tube site.
I used a hypo allergenic moisture cream around there.
And my daughter (nurse) got me something called "normal" gel.
It can go directly on the scar, will seal it, and is completely neutral. Great stuff!

Or I could get you some salve from the local Root Doctor

 

[Kathleen]

Never in my 28 years of having the first scar would the sight of my scar peeking out not allow me to buy clothing that I like. It is all part of the package that is me. Horrid, never, gloom and doom, never.
Kathleen

I don't know why some scars are worse than others. My surgeon did a beautiful job on mine and it was very thin and clean early on. But, for my dark hair and dark eyes, my skin is pretty light and I tend to freckle and I tend to get thick shiny scars with a bit of the keloid look, though not as bad as many keloid scars I have seen on others.

I was just trying on clothes yesterday and came home with nothing but disappointment because I just can't wear anything, hardly, aside from high-necked items... without that horrid pink scar peeking out and scaring people. I'm in a bit of a gloom over it.

I think I might try to get a tan and maybe that will help it to fade or at least blend somewhat. It'll probably just freckle and be more horrid looking.

 

[Susan BAV]

Never in my 28 years of having the first scar would the sight of my scar peeking out not allow me to buy clothing that I like. It is all part of the package that is me. Horrid, never, gloom and doom, never.
Kathleen

Thank you for the encouragement, Kathleen. Occasionally when I've been speaking with old friends or new, when my scar has shown, I've caught flashing looks of pure horror in peoples' faces as we speak. Other members have mentioned similar experiences. I feel uncomfortable for their discomfort. My first heart surgery, which was also 28 years ago, was through the back so that was fairly easy to conceal, except during bathing suit season.

 

[Lynlw]

Thank you for the encouragement, Kathleen. Occasionally when I've been speaking with old friends or new, when my scar has shown, I've caught flashing looks of pure horror in peoples' faces as we speak. Other members have mentioned similar experiences. I feel uncomfortable for their discomfort. My first heart surgery, which was also 28 years ago, was through the back so that was fairly easy to conceal, except during bathing suit season.

Susan, Have you ever thought to try any of the concealors? If you'd like to hide your scar for certain tops? I am makeup impaired and just now figured out how to hide my dark eye circles,BUt I know there are some make up artists here, maybe if you are interested they would share tips on what kind of prodicts would work best and how to pick the right shade. I'm not talking for everyday but I'm sure sometimes it would be nice to go out and wear a shirt with lower neckline and not just have to deal wih looks or questions. (heck maybe it will just make your cleavage look better

 

[hensylee]

Put some eye shadow on it. It will darken and appear to be a shadow.

For the rest of you, put some light eye shadow below the apples of your cheeks and the blush on the apples. It will bring out your cheeks and make your face thinner.

Plenty of tricks with makeup.

 

[hensylee]

What about the geographical location of your scar??mine is left of center??but then again so am I. I really though it would be in the center. I guess it is surgeons choice.

we already know you are a bit off center, but I don't think they can off-center the ladies' sternums.

Are your ribs off-center? Are they not joined together dead center? How can your scar be off-center? Splain please.

 

[Susan BAV]

Susan, Have you ever thought to try any of the concealors? If you'd like to hide your scar for certain tops? I am makeup impaired and just now figured out how to hide my dark eye circles,BUt I know there are some make up artists here, maybe if you are interested they would share tips on what kind of prodicts would work best and how to pick the right shade. I'm not talking for everyday but I'm sure sometimes it would be nice to go out and wear a shirt with lower neckline and not just have to deal wih looks or questions. (heck maybe it will just make your cleavage look better

I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to foundations and concealer and such. Clueless. If I tried any coverup makeup, I'd probably just look like I fell into a vat of pancake batter . Now that would be discreet .