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Scar questions

Posted , 13 users are following.

samantha_2158
samantha_2158

Morning fellow hippies!

Just had some questions re my scar. I am three weeks out from TLHR posterior. I have a 5" scar with internal dissolvable stitches. At my two week check up last week the OS said all looked good and said I don't need dressing on any more.

I am finding that it rubs my clothes and pulls. It seems to separate a tiny bit at the top but no leaking or bleeding. It is sore to touch but not hot and inflamed.

I have resorted to putting a lint and micropore dressing in in the day under clothes. Will this stop it healing?

The physio told me to rub it hard each day which I have been doing to desensitise the scar.

Is this all normal? How long does it usually take to stop hurting?! I am loathe to start rubbing any creams in it until it is completely sealed. Parts of it are but not all of it.

Otherwise all going well and walking well in house with no crutch and out and avout with one. Very stiff and a bit sore morning first thing and evening but no pain in the day (apart from scar rubbing!!)

Any info would be great.

Thank you!!

Sam

TLHR 20/2/17

3 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • hippy28
    hippy28 samantha_2158

    Posted

    Hi Samantha,

    I had my dressing taken off by the nurse at 2 weeks. It was all healed by then. Like you my scar is about 5". I had dissolvable stitches under the skin and glue. On top.

    I didn't touch the scar at this point but always wore (and still wear) baggy clothes. It was still sore when clothes rubbed

    When i went for my 6 weeks review I asked if it was normal for the scar to still be sore and tender to touch.

    I was told that the nerves had been cut during the op and took time to heal. So I was advised to massage the scar every day with moisturizer and this would desensitize the nerves. It hurt to start with. Now 4 weeks later it's really worked and I only occasionally get any pain from it.

    Healing is a slow process, you just have to be patient.

  • samantha_2158
    samantha_2158

    Posted

    Thank you Nicky and Hippy - am going to get it checked by the nurse today just for my peace of mind. It's not oozing but it is so sore and a tiny bit open at the top in a couple of places which I'm sure is normal but just want to check!!

    Yes it's annoying as pain apart from first thing in the morning and achy at the end of the day is all very low but this really hurts and seems to rub when I walk even with loose trousers!!

    Still everything else going well so I'm grateful for that!

    Thanks again everyone, great information.

    Sam

  • samantha_2158
    samantha_2158

    Posted

    Update: nurse checked my scar today and said healing beautifully!! Told me to start rubbing with E45 moisturiser pressing quite hard (as you have advised above) as it is sealed all along. She told me the residual swelling under the scar is what makes it tight and uncomfortable along with the nerves.

    Thanks again for advice/ideas.

    Sam

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK samantha_2158

      Posted

      I remember reading on the NHS website about E45 moisturiser.  It said that the E45 is usually washed off, and can cause problems if rubbed in and left on.  Not sure if it was for the same product that you have though. I will try to find the article again.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Sorry, it wasn't E45, it was aqueous moisturiser that they do not reccomend.  Looks like E45 is recommended by NHS.  from the website:-

      "Although Vitamin E cream is sometimes recommended for the self-management of scars, there is no medical evidence to suggest that it has an effect.

      However, the massaging of a moisturiser such as E45 into the scar will keep it from becoming dry and help make it supple.

      Scars may be sensitive to the sun. Sunscreen can be used to protect them."

       

    • samantha_2158
      samantha_2158 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks for that Graham, it's good to know as so much confusing info about what to rub into it!!! Both my physio be the nurse today (and your research!) recommended E45 so I'm going to go with that and see how it goes.

      Sam smile

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK samantha_2158

      Posted

      Hope the E45 helps - I think the main thing is how you massage it, not what you massage it with.  So across the scar, and over time you can start to use quite a bit of pressure to get down to the deeper scar tissue.  Best to take note of 'proper' medical websites such as the NHS, reputable hospitals etc.

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