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Scar advice...

Posted , 11 users are following.

sportsw4
sportsw4

Hi folks :-) Looking for a little scar advice... took my dressing off yesterday evening (17 days, posterior approach, dissolvable stitches and glue). A bit shocked at how long the scar was! It's also very lumpy and dented in several places (not the nice clean, smooth specimen I was hoping for 😂) Just curious as to whether that's fairly typical? Also interested in whether people showered straight away without any worries, and whether you started massaging/rubbing bio oil or similar into it straight away? Thanks in advance for any advice this fabulous group of hippies can provide ☺️

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • Skidget
    Skidget sportsw4

    Posted

    Hey, Sports,

    I've been quite interested in scar advice, too (I'm 5.5 weeks post op, lateral/posterior approach, just staples - out at 14 days). Lumpy, diimpled, dented...yep.  sounds about right. I'm told thus far that my surgeon was quite an artist and my scar looks "beautiful."  ha!  what a scream (I think it's so...icky! but I'm grateful to my surgeon for his experise). My surgeon asked me to wait a month before applying any topicals, so I've abided. I showered with the dressing on (covered with a plastic grocery bag and med tape) and since removing the dressing, I just avoid the stream of water beating against the scar (it's still pretty sensitive). No problems. As mentioned in Cels' post, I'm alternating Bio Oil with a sesame oil-based oil made by my BFF (it's infused with some beautiful healing herbs); so, two applications daily. I did find some amazing info online. Since we can't post weblinks, I'll tell you what to google so you can find the same info if you're interested:

    - scar tissue release therapy massage today (I had no idea the role scar tissue plays in pain management and healing!)

    - the genius of flexibility (this is about the role fascia plays...utterly fascinating!)

    I already have a scar tissue release therapy PT lined up, and my Bowen therapist covers the fascia aspect. So I feel pretty set.

    is this forum awesome, or what ?  I love these people!

     : )

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Skidget

      Posted

      Awesome indeed!! :-) Thanks so much for the response - really helpful. Think I'm going to take your surgeon's advice too and not use anything on the scar until 4 weeks are up. Makes sense to allow the scar time to do it's initial healing....

      Thanks for the googling advice too - haven't had a look yet, but will be doing so later.

      Thanks again and all the best for your continued recovery - and beautiful scar :-)

  • CelsB
    CelsB sportsw4

    Posted

    Hi again cheesygrin

    I had staples, but the appearance of my scar has changed from lumpy to scabby to a nice flat pink line.  I used E45 cream at 5 weeks on advice from my physio.

    You will know all this but might be useful if anyone else is wondering about their scar.  I didn't shower until about 3 weeks but that was because my shower is over the bath and I wasn't too sure I felt safe to attempt it.

    Cels xxx

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 CelsB

      Posted

      Thanks Cels - helpful advice as ever :-)
  • steve86482
    steve86482 sportsw4

    Posted

    Had the posterior approach. 14" scar and a real lot of staples. With time it will get better. I started showering once the surgeon removed all the staples and no more bandage dressing. Only thing on my mind was not to slip in the shower
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 steve86482

      Posted

      Thanks Steve - I think your scar may be even longer than mine! :-) Feel more confident about getting in the shower now, so thanks. All the best :-)
  • lynn66084
    lynn66084 sportsw4

    Posted

    Hi sports,

    Staples for me, quite a long scar too.  I'm 8 weeks tomorrow, have not been in the shower yet as it's over the bath, got another two weeks before I see my doc. I have just started using e45 to rub in.  Mine is dented in, sure it acts like a drainpipe when I get washed and the water runs down lol

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 lynn66084

      Posted

      LOL - I think mine will be acting like a drainpipe too then! :-) Good luck when you get to see the doc - 10 weeks is a long wait!! Hope the recovery conintues well :-) 
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 sportsw4

      Posted

      Lol

      I phoned to see if I stop precautions at 6 weeks but was told to keep doing them until I go for my check, I have been extremely good with them, stuck to 100% so will be gutted if he says I could of stopped then lol

    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 lynn66084

      Posted

      Better safe than sorry though - but admire your resolve!!!
  • khippie
    khippie sportsw4

    Posted

    I am 6 weeks tomorrow - the top part of scar is lumpy but the bottom half is really smooth and tidy !! I had dissolvable stitches and have showered since 2 days after op ,as told I could . Good luck witb your scAr :-D

    X

  • Loral
    Loral sportsw4

    Posted

    Mine is dented in, I think they didn't put me back toether correctly...lol
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Loral

      Posted

      Aw - I hope they did! And hope the scar evens out over time :-)
  • Snowgirl79
    Snowgirl79 sportsw4

    Posted

    I've heard the scars are not pretty...but frankincense oil is best for helping skin heal with little to no scar...I get my bandage off tomorrow and had the same thing as you dissolvable stitches and glue ...I'm scared to see..😁
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Snowgirl79

      Posted

      Let me know how it goes snowgirl :-) And thanks for the frankincense oil tip
    • Snowgirl79
      Snowgirl79 sportsw4

      Posted

      Oh!! But if basia says the doc told her to wait on creams and oils...I would wait tho!!
    • sportsw4
      sportsw4 Snowgirl79

      Posted

      I think I will... but slightly worried that if you leave it too long, it will be too late to impact it!
    • Snowgirl79
      Snowgirl79 sportsw4

      Posted

      I don't think so... Frankincense helps repair scars...My friend had surgery on his wrists and they glued him as well and I saw him after his bandages came off not pretty...but he showed me his wrists again before I left for sugery and it's a thin faint white line...and he didn't use anything..
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