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Ideas for TKR scar protection in summer sun (other than pants)?

Posted , 7 users are following.

pattiecake
pattiecake

I had LTKR 3 weeks ago. My doctor told me to really protect the scar in the sun but had little to offer for suggestions. He said a high SPF product is fine on a daily basis but not sufficient if you are in the sun for a long period of time. I was looking at Hy-Tape which is zinc oxide based surgical tape but thought it might be irritating to pull it off a new scar. Any ideas?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • barb31990
    barb31990 pattiecake

    Posted

    Purchase the below from Amazon and it will make removal pain free 

    PYB16400 - Pdi Inc. Adhesive Tape Remover Pad, 1-1/4 x 2-3/5 - this helps remove tape without pain

    • pattiecake
      pattiecake barb31990

      Posted

      Thank you! I will do that. Do you think it’s ok to completely cover the scar with tape if it’s a month old? I don’t heed to do it all the time. Only when I’m outdoors for most of the day. 
    • barb31990
      barb31990 pattiecake

      Posted

      Not a. Bad idea if being in the sun for long periods of time 
  • jenny61596
    jenny61596 pattiecake

    Posted

    Well are you going to be lying in sun? I live in tropics and have never worried about scar except maybe put suntan cream on my legs if I was going to anyway , but must say I don’t bother putting it on my legs , seems strange thing to say unless you sunbake all the time
  • pam92068
    pam92068 pattiecake

    Posted

    I used SPF 50 waterproof for kids the first year.  I am now 2 yr TKR.......worked for me.

     

    • pattiecake
      pattiecake pam92068

      Posted

      Thank you. My doctor made it sound like sunscreen wasn’t sufficient if you’re in the sun for a few hours even with reaplication. I think he is overly cautious. He also told me I can go in a pool for 3 months. I have read that 6 weeks seems to be more the norm. Thanks for the help!
    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 pattiecake

      Posted

      I went in my pool as soon as skin had healed , 6 wks about , was your glued ? 
    • pattiecake
      pattiecake jenny61596

      Posted

      No, it was press fit not glued. Robotic assisted surgery so I have @ 7 inch scar up the knee and a two inch scar beneath and above the main one. 
  • lorri_3432
    lorri_3432 pattiecake

    Posted

    I don’t like the sun so it won’t matter to me 😄

    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 lorri_3432

      Posted

      My scar is small and not very noticeable, just treat it like rest of leg, don’t think of putting sunscreen on it
  • carri98750
    carri98750 pattiecake

    Posted

    I don't trust any sunscreen. It has chemicals in it. The thought of putting it on a new traumatized scar, freaks me out. Just wear pants that will cover your scar. Or you can do like they did in the old days: put zinc oxide ointment on it. The white stuff, not the clear stuff. I think zinc is also good for healing. 

    • pattiecake
      pattiecake carri98750

      Posted

      I agree. I don’t care how it looks. I just want to make sure it’s protected and I don’t do anything to irritate it while trying to protect it. Thanks
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