Scar

[Matt C]

I am 12 months out this month from AVR and this scar is horriable tried medorma (sp). Does this thing ever heal?? I stayed out of sun and still have but wanna go on vacation tjis spring compared to others mine looks like horriable.

 

[kfay]

I am 12 months out this month from AVR and this scar is horriable tried medorma (sp). Does this thing ever heal?? I stayed out of sun and still have but wanna go on vacation tjis spring compared to others mine looks like horriable.

Matt, unfortunately, some people don't scar very well. I didn't scar very well with my first surgery and after a year, went to see a plastic surgeon who injected it with steroids several times (that hurts!). They didn't help and eventually I had the scar cut out and had one low dose radiation treatment to retard the scar tissue growth. It worked like a charm. I was worried it would happen again after my second surgery, but it turned out perfect on it's own. So, bottom line is reach out to a Dr. at this point. I think they have had success now using lasers on scars so you don't have to have it cut out again.

Kim

 

[dwhist]

I am also 12 months out. My scar was big and red, but seems to be flattening out on about 1/3rd of it and that part is alot less red. I kept it out of the sun and did not put anything on it. Let us know if you go see a doc and what they think. I have appointment in March and will see what doc thinks then if not all healed. Not sure I want to get involved in shots.

 

[Guest]

Hmmm....guess I'm one of the lucky ones in terms of the scar. Mine healed rather well, I think, anyway. Then again, I've had 4 surgeries...LOL.

Have you talked with your surgeon or cardiologist about the scar?



Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics
CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"All that it takes is some time" __ OAR __ 'Shattered'

 

[TheGymGuy]

I am 12 months out this month from AVR and this scar is horriable tried medorma (sp). Does this thing ever heal?? I stayed out of sun and still have but wanna go on vacation tjis spring compared to others mine looks like horriable.

Put a picture up, it might not be as bad as you think.

 

[clay_from_nj]

Some may depend on how it's closed and how that technique relates to your own body. My scar from my ASD, at 10 years old (36 years ago) was a good half-inch wide and very noticeable. My new scar, six weeks out from AVR is already just a thin red line. 36 years ago, I was sutured, creamed and bandaged. This time, I was glued and never covered, and only treated by gentle washing. For me, at least, this seems to be the better way.

Clay in Colorado. ATS Open Pivot AP, St. Joseph's Hosipital, Dr. Mark Ammons, 9/21/12. (My first post here

 

[Jkm7]

My scar was opened twice for repeat OHS. The last surgery was about 4 1/2 years ago and is so faded there are portions where it is almost invisible. Both times, the skin was glued closed (full sternotomy) and I had steristrips covering for the first two weeks. Washed with soap and water and never put any cream or anything on it.

We are all different and our bodies heal in their own way.
It surprises me when I read some surgeons still close with staples. Were I having another surgery, I think I would make special request they not do that.