Your scar--try to hide it or not?

[Lynlw]

I just posted a similar thread as I am pretty vain and often wear v-necks. Great advice from others. But here is the advice I got from my sister-in-law who is a dermatologist:

The best treatment for the scar initially will be silicone sheets. These are adhesive sheets that you wear over the scar almost 24 hours a day. You can start them as soon as the sutures/staples are removed and you wear them for a minimum of 3 months.
Laser is more helpful for the redness but time alone will diminish the color and I don't think the laser is as effective as people were hoping.

Also, if you have the surgery this spring, we need to make sure to really protect the scar from the sun. We should get you a sun protective swim shirt if you are planning to relax by the pool, etc.

Hope this helps.
Cheryl

Do you know when you can start wearing them if you are glued and don't have staples or stitches to remove?

 

[halleyg]

I tried the adhesive sheets but they didn't do anything for me, plus they made me itchy and it gets to be tedious to apply over a 3 month period. The laser treatments did work wonderfully for me. I had three done 6 weeks apart for each with no down time and minimal discomfort for the few minutes it took to do them. So, the sheets may work for you, or you may prefer that.. they were recommended to me by my surgeon sister-in-law and I had a prescription for them. You can start using them right away if you choose.

 

[TXGal]

Well being that my first scar was at the age of 18 and the second at age 20, I was very self conscious.. I remember when I was 18 and graduated high school, all my friends wanted to go to South Padre Island and I flipped out trying to find a bathing suit. I was also told to not expose the scar to the sun for a certain amount of time. So yes, when I was 18, that summer I wore a triangular shaped top bathing suit.. but after a year I was over it.. then ended up having another 2 surgeries when I was 20 and I again was a little self conscious.. I also had a keloid at the top of my scar after my 3rd surgery that I had removed (it wasn't that big) because it was raised a little.. but after about a year after my last surgery, the scar had healed and was minimal.. now I wear tops like tank tops that show some of the top of the scar and don't even think twice.. I haven't worn a bathing suit to hide it since 2002.

 

[ccummins]

I totally agree. I am going to start with the sheets but if they don't work I am totally going to make my sister-in-law give the lasers a shot! I'll let you guys know how it goes. I am up for badge of honor ... just not a BIG badge

I tried the adhesive sheets but they didn't do anything for me, plus they made me itchy and it gets to be tedious to apply over a 3 month period. The laser treatments did work wonderfully for me. I had three done 6 weeks apart for each with no down time and minimal discomfort for the few minutes it took to do them. So, the sheets may work for you, or you may prefer that.. they were recommended to me by my surgeon sister-in-law and I had a prescription for them. You can start using them right away if you choose.

 

[aussigal]

Welcome to our wonderful forum...

Now, your scar...
I have always worn mine proudly and I certainly earnt the right to do that...I believe we all have so dont worry about it...they fade to much the same colour as stretch marks after a year or so. I got sun on mine when it was about 6 months old and that helped the red line fade.

Like Karlynn's scar mine looks a lot like extra cleavage...lol...

 

[Philip B]

Scar Issue?

Scar Issue?

Quit shaving your chest and no one will even know it's there...just kidding

-Philip

 

[abbanabba]

I figure if someone with their own insecurities can see me out and about showing my scar and not being bothered by it, then perhaps they will feel a little more confident in themselves as well. Perhaps if more people were content to show their flaws, there wouldn't be so much pressure for us all to look so "perfect" all the time.

It seems so silly to me that we worry so much about what complete strangers might think of us... yet they won't spare a second thought for us once we're out of their sight (OK, they may make a passing comment to another stranger - but is that really going to affect our lives?). And for those who really do know and care about us, I'm sure our little "imperfections" don't bother them in the slightest.

But that's just my 2c.


A : )

 

[ccummins]

Do you know when you can start wearing them if you are glued and don't have staples or stitches to remove?

Here is my sister-in-law dermatologist response:

Typically glue is only used in locations that are under minimal tension such as a minor injury on the face. I could not imagine glue would ever be used after OHS. Also, usually low tension wounds are injuries that would heal well and would be less likely to require silicone sheeting. If, for example, glue was used in place of sutures for a wound on the face, I would imagine the silicone sheets could be started one week later. However, I would recommend they check with their physician to be certain.

 

[Lynlw]

Here is my sister-in-law dermatologist response:

Typically glue is only used in locations that are under minimal tension such as a minor injury on the face. I could not imagine glue would ever be used after OHS. Also, usually low tension wounds are injuries that would heal well and would be less likely to require silicone sheeting. If, for example, glue was used in place of sutures for a wound on the face, I would imagine the silicone sheets could be started one week later. However, I would recommend they check with their physician to be certain.

Thanks for asking, A couple of Justin's OHSs were glued ( his earlier ones had steri strips and one of the pictures in Witz scar htread in the toots photo showed his incision glued. Well technically the outer layer was glued and there were disolving stitches under it. Thinking about the toots pics, i think alot were glued, because I don't remember seeing the marks stitches and staples can make.

 

[Eva]

I tried the adhesive sheets but they didn't do anything for me, .....

I bought some of those sheets made by E-Sil which one wears only 12 hours, and then use drops for 12 hrs. I did not like the sheets, hough instruction say they are washable, I threw them away after a few time. But, Frankly, I am starting to see a big difference now after I finished the bottle that comes in the same package...the keloid part is less keloid and flatter, the reddish color is now pinkish and somehow blending with my skin! I am starting now the Mederma which I bought before my surgery to have it handy when needed. It makes me itchy, but may be working too. It is a gel form of silicone!! ?

 

[Philip B]

Glue

Glue

I'm not sure I'm following the discussion here very well, but...

my surgeon used glue to stick my skin back together rather than stitching or stapling. My scar is much less noticable than some I've seen that have a strong likeness to a zipper.

I can understand why some folks have concerns about their chest scars. My wife and I visited some friends in Tucson about a year ago. During a visit to a public swimming pool, no less than ten people asked me about my chest scar. Other people do notice. I simply used the questions as a basis to converse about CHD, but despite my normal upbeat attitude, the questions bothered me. I also understand the curiosity thing, but I've never asked anyone about their scars. I guess I figured asking would embarass them.

-Philip

 

[Curtsmum]

Here is my sister-in-law dermatologist response:

Typically glue is only used in locations that are under minimal tension such as a minor injury on the face. I could not imagine glue would ever be used after OHS. Also, usually low tension wounds are injuries that would heal well and would be less likely to require silicone sheeting. If, for example, glue was used in place of sutures for a wound on the face, I would imagine the silicone sheets could be started one week later. However, I would recommend they check with their physician to be certain.

Curts was glued with disolving stitches too.
Guess it all boils down to if you are comftable with people staring and asking questions.

 

[ChouDoufu]

if you are comftable with people staring and asking questions.

it all comes down to culture and upbringing and tradition. in western
countries you're generally taught not to stare, not to point, not to
ask sensitive questions.

other places, which shall remain nameless, do not have the same degree
of politeness. invite newly-made friends to your house, and the first
question is how much did you pay, or how much is the rent? new car,
new dress, etc....how much? one of the first questions i hear when
meet someone for the first time....how much do you make?

best of all, had dinner with a woman (50-ish) and her daughter (25-ish)
and some other family members. mom asks, what do you think of my
daughter? want to marry her? and the cousin asks "have you ever had
sex with a woman?" i was so tempted to say "no, not yet, i'm still
practicing with sheep."

have gotten so used to hearing people yell out "foreigner" as i'm out
walking, don't really hear it any more. the pointing and staring is
just background now.

although......out walking and some hunchback midget stops and stares
and points at me! like who's the circus freak here, honey-bunny?

anyway. i'm done. scars? with any luck it'll scare small children.

 

[klynnc]

I'm 11 days post op and have been out everyday since I got home and have changed clothes several times due to this dilemma - to show or hide????
Yesterday I gave in and wore a shirt that showed more than half of the scar. I live in a very warm climate place and have too many clothes that show the scar, so I figured better just get used to it now! I know the scar will get better and better. My only concern is my 5 year old - he has told me twice that the scar makes him very sad and he doesn't like it. Yesterday he told me I don't look "normal" with it I told him I am not normal and that we should be happy for it b/c the op saved my life and the scar is a small price to pay.....He's thinking about that But seriously, I don't want to embarass him or make him feel bad, so that is my only real concern. Otherwise, I say wear it with pride and just keep it protected with sunblock.
I do have a question for you experienced scar wearers though: They said no lotions or creams, but what about a topical product for scars? I have read about Mederma - anyone tried this?

 

[Jkm7]

Here is my sister-in-law dermatologist response:

Typically glue is only used in locations that are under minimal tension such as a minor injury on the face. I could not imagine glue would ever be used after OHS. Also, usually low tension wounds are injuries that would heal well and would be less likely to require silicone sheeting. If, for example, glue was used in place of sutures for a wound on the face, I would imagine the silicone sheets could be started one week later. However, I would recommend they check with their physician to be certain.

I had two OHS at Mass General in four years and both times the surgeon glued my wound closed. Makes for a very neat, hardly noticeable scar. No staples and no stitches that had to be removed.


Funny your sister-in-law never had a patient 'closed' that way.



Klynnc: I was instructed to not put anything on my wound until it was fully healed so as to not risk infection.

Once it is healed, some people try mederma or Vitamin E. I didn't use anything and my scar (opened twice) looks very good IMO

 

[hensylee]

this is a subject that has come up here in VR for a bunch of years. The end result is that no creams, etc seem to help the scar and that the decisions to show or not is the choice of each individual. I have worn mine from day one not worrying about whether it shows or not. In fact I gained a bit of cleavage - never had any before! So my choice was to wear those v-neck things.

 

[kpearse]

Welcome, I wear my scar with pride. I lived through a nightmare, and I don't care what people think. I did get some stares while I was in Vegas, made me smile.

 

[LeakyValve]

In a bizarre twist to this thread, I wish I had MORE of a scar to show. The mini-incision that Dr. Massimiano made just under my right pectoral muscle isn't even visible unless I raise my hand. "Raise your hand if you're Sure!"

 

[pamela]

I wear my 14 inch long scar as a mark of my second and third chance at living. Without my life-saving valve replacements, I would be (perhaps) unscarred by a sternotomy but definitely in congestive heart failure -- or dead.

I have something permanent that is more valuable to me than any jewel or material thing, I have my scar and my scar means that I'm alive.

Take Heart and I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day.
Pamela.

 

[catwoman]

At first, I was uncomfortable in a swim suit. I felt that everyone's eyes were on my scar (we're talking friends, not strangers).

I was also uncomfortable when sharing a hotel room with friends. I changed clothes in the bathroom because I didn't want my friends to see the incision. After a couple of years I came out with my incision.