Scar???

[kaybee352000]

Forgive me for posting like this, im new here and had my surgery to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical one about 8 weeks ago, and so far im feeling a lot better. My one problem is my scar, the bottom half of it is very raised and when i try and wear any clothes over it, they rub and it gets quite sore, its also very itchy any one have any ideas what it could be, and or do i need to get it checked?

Thanks for reading

Kymm xxx

 

[netmiff]

Hi and welcome :

we have a saying around here - "if in doubt, get it checked out", so I think you probably should let someone have a lookat it, whether surgeon, cardio or you PCP. It could just be healing, they can get itchy and uncomfortable, but if it is something else, the sooner caught and treated the better.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Hi Kymm

My rule of thumb after my surgery was if it didn't seem right, or something was bothering me, ASK! I don't know how many times I asked various people about a fairly large hematoma that developed. But it was bugging me, so I made sure that I asked the right people. They all agreed that it would go away after several weeks. And it did. Ask away!!

Fast Eddie

 

[Susan BAV]

Forgive me for posting like this, im new here and had my surgery to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical one about 8 weeks ago, and so far im feeling a lot better. My one problem is my scar, the bottom half of it is very raised and when i try and wear any clothes over it, they rub and it gets quite sore, its also very itchy any one have any ideas what it could be, and or do i need to get it checked?

Hi Kymm - Welcome to the site; glad you found it. If your sternum was wired, it could just be some irritation there. At 8 weeks, your experience sounds fairly normal to me. But be sure and double check with your cardio or surgeon to be sure. One small area on the lower part of my scar still sticks out a bit (a little poofy) and from some things I read here a few years ago, it may be some kind of hernia; I don't know if that's what you're describing but thought I'd mention it and if that sounds like what you're describing you should have it looked at. Also, scars can itch from many things, sometimes just from normal healing.

Here's a thread to click on for a little more info on a post-op hernia: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?p=133046&highlight=hernia#post133046

And another one in regard to "incisional hernia:"
http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20054&highlight=hernia

 

[Adrienne]

After only 8 weeks, the itchiness and irritation seems very normal. The bottom of my scar is also raised and was senstitive for a long time. Even now, the raised part is slightly sensitive if I pinch it.

 

[marky]

Welcome! and congrats on the successful surgery
As for the scar.. you got lots of good advice. If it is of concern, have it checked out! INFECTION in the incision is not cool
However, my scar had a very red raised area at the very bottom and that did take a bit longer to heal. Make sure that you arent' wearing a bra that rubs the area.
HTH

 

[WayneGM]

First of all, welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us.

I echo the "if in doubt, call" philosophy. That said, 8 weeks isn't a long time for your incision to heal so some tenderness is at this point is probably to be expected. It was a very big and deep cut.

I found seatbelts and certain clothing uncomfortable over my incision for well over a year. I'm 2 year out now and it's still itchy and tender some days, but nothing like those first few months post-op. best wishes and good luck with the healing process.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi just wanted to say welcome, i can't give you any help but hope things get easier for you soon, best wishes.

 

[jds]

Hello -

I'm 10 months post and my scar has subsided a lot. I had a full (rather than partial) sternotomy and there is a pink, slightly raised little comma down below my sternum. I can feel it more than see it. Also, I can feel a little lump down underneath the bottom. Probably an internal scar. Of course, since I'm 60, I have lumps all over the place.

I'm a guy with a hairy chest so it has mostly disappeared.

Good luck.

John

 

[Cooker]

Hi and welcome to the zoo .....the best advise given is still the best...when in doubt get it checked out....At eight weeks what you are discribing sounds pretty much par for the course....

 

[kaybee352000]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their answers i have been to the doctors and apparently my scar is keloid and that is the reason for the raised bit and the itchyness not a lot can be done so will just have to learn to live with it and hope it calms down.

Kymm xxx