Scar healing well,,, what about other recent op folks?

[KoalaEm]

So the surgeon keeps commenting to me about how well the scar is healing... and let me admit it looks better than I ever hoped given it's only a month... but get this.
HIS recommendation was to leave it uncovered and do NOTHING at all with the scar.  
Now (me being me) I asked the advice of a plastic surgeon ignored the thyroid surgeon and instead cover the scar with micropore tape and massage it regularly with pure vitamin E oil like the plastic surgeon recommended I do.
I crack up every time the thyroid surgeon comments about about how well it is healing because I am thinking 'If only you knew!'

What do /did other people do with their scars? and how are your scars healing?

I have even been game to go out with just a small amount of foundation (with SPF 15) on the scar once- and it was so good not one person stared at the scar- it looks more like a wrinkle.
Em

[rixxii]

I have a thyroid scar for over 5 years. I did two surgeries one when I was 14 and I did another one when I was 17. Since there were 2 incision done on it my scar was very red and hypertropic, which it makes it look worse. My doctor also told me the same thing don't put anything on it just leave it to nature. I was so stupid I should never listen to him, he screwed me big time. Now I really regret what I could have done to prevent it from expanding. So if you're going to get a thyroid surgery do put tape on it. I wouldn't really recommend vitamin e or the oil kind because i USED it for 3 years doesn't work. Don't waste money, I would recommend IPL after 3 months of surgery then if it still doesn;t work then try steroid. Steroid injection  is painful but it does flatten the scar but don't get mixed up it doesn't change the color and doesn't shrink it only works with people with hypertrophic scar. That what happened to me and I'm 19 right now so I'm like a freak, and its a burden always following me. Don't make the wrong mistake.

[Avee3]

I've also been using Aveeno on the scar and it does look better the past few days.  I read some med articles that said silicone (found in many scar ointments) and pressure, like that from tape, can help scars tremendously.  So, I am going to look for the Scarguard that Em mentioned and the tape. We'll see what happens but I do think that keeping it moisturized helps.

My incision area still feels weird.  I find myself not wanting anything to touch my neck.  Even the seatbelt was bothering me the other day.  Oh - and mine only itches on one side too!  Very odd!

Best,

Avee

[pep88]

My surgery was September 13th.  I can barely see my scar.  I'm not sure if that is a testiment to my healing power or my surgeron's skill.  I will say that my endo, after seeing my scar on Monday, said that there are only about 3 doctors in my area who "should" do TT's and mine was the best of them.  So I guess the latter...

I used vitamin E oil and nothing else on my scar.  I was allergic to the tape so I barely had that on for a few days.  My mother used to say when I was little, that if I took the bandage off and let the air at the wound, it would heal faster.  (She is the smartest woman I know, and also a Nurse Practitioner.)  I do find it itchy at times, but it just reminds me to put some of that great vit. E oil on it.

It seems I barely think about the incision any more unless I touch it, (cause it still "feels weird")  And I used to "feel" everything moving when I swallowed, but even that sensation has gone away for the most part.  I used to wear necklaces that hit right at that spot so I could avoid "those stares" and conversations.  I don't do that anymore and if anyone asks, I say:  ""I'm cancer free and a member of the "Double Smile Club"". :-)

[she68]

I had a tt sept 12/07  friends/coworkers say my scar looks great even a little smaller . i tried using  
vitamine E oil but it seemed to make it redder, so a client rec i use AVEENO . i relly like it , it has no fragrance in it and it seems to be helping . i do find its really itchy on the left side only ? !

[DarlaLOU]

Thanks for the comments, sorry if it was hard to find the link.. weird?! Anyway, yes, mine is still raised, and sometimes it feels so tight still. I also still have a bit of a lump in my throat all the time but it has decreased so much vs what I was dealing with I am thankful for that.  :O) I have several issues with this scar but overall I am pretty ok with it and think if it has healed this well in just a few months that within a year it should (hopefully) look great.
Darla

[ChitChatNine]

Mine was nasty as I had an infection but healing so nicely now that I rarely use Dermablend ... I don't even really think about it much either.  Being it is winter I wear alot of turtlenecks as I like to keep warm and non-exposure to the outside elements seems to promote even further healing but I couldn't stand anything on the scar area at all for about 4 mos post op .. that was the worst part of the surgery for me .. the cold air hitting the incisional area last year!

I am post op almost a year .. Jan. 7th will be one year anniv. and Feb. will be one year from when they went in to remove a 1cm lump above the area that turne out to be an infectious cyst that burst and spread its content and then formed scar tissue and was not malignent .. whew .. was that a scare as it took 12 days for final biopsy on that thing .. it appeared 24hrs after surgery as a pea sized bumpt that grew and grew and grew .. apparently I had an internal cyst under the skin that burst during surgery and spread the contents .. nobody, inc. me, knew it was there and the neck back in that awkward postion caused it to rupture.

C~

[Avee3]

Glad to hear your scar healed well.  I also read that the glue was helpful for scar healing.  When my glue was on, my scar looked really good...very thin and flat.  About one week after the glue came off I started to notice that it was slightly raised but I didn't think anything about it until I saw my surgeon and he said there was a slight "ridge" that would go down.  Now, I'm paranoid.  Oh well... I guess they are there to remind us of life's battles!  

[Avee3]

I was able to view your picture and it does look good.  Is your scar raised?  If you rub a finger over it can you feel a ridge?  I wonder if I'm being too picky about my scar...it's only been 4 weeks but I want to intervene before (if) it gets hypertrophic.

[Avee3]

It's been four weeks so I think I can start using Vit E now.  I put lotion on it for the very first time this evening.  I guess I've been afraid to even touch it....

How often did you use the tape?  Did you wear it all day or just at certain times?  Also, when did you first start using the tape?  I think the tape helps because compression will prevent a scar from becoming hypertrophic (so I read).

My scar is not very raised but it's not smooth....I can feel a ridge.  This just happened within the past 2 weeks.  I looked at some pictures of hypertrophic scars online and mine doesn't look that bad (yet) but I don't want it too either.  The fact that the surgeon commented on "the ridge" makes me believe this is a possibility.

Thanks Em!      

[KoalaEm]

The link kind of worked... it took me to their homepage and I typed Darlalou into search to find your album!  then found the image.
Your scar looks great!  It is so fine and thin.  What a great result.
Em

[DarlaLOU]

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=102_5405.jpg

You can see where mine is at this point... well, was, as it has been a few weeks ago that I took that photo. Anyway, at 12 weeks I felt like mine was healing up pretty well. I have taken photos all along to sort of document it. I am still somewhat self consious but overall don't have too much of a problem. My close friend says (all the time) that I draw more attention to it myself by putting my hand up to my throat all the time - etc...etc... I don't do it consiously so that then freaks me out and I worry about doing it and then I get more worked up. LOL Mine is still pretty red/purple but is barely raised and aside from strangers I don't think most people even notice anymore. I did buy some pressed powder to put over it when I go out, but I don't think it makes much of a difference honestly.
Anyway, after I had my bandages off the Dr said to use Bacitracin ointment on it a few times a day then Vit E salve. I found Vit E sticks at WalMart for .97 cents and they worked great. Now I just use a facial lotion like Oil of Olay everyday.
Darla

[KoalaEm]

Do you use a sunscreen on your scar? Glad it worked better for you this time.

I know keeping them sunfree is meant to help them heal best.
Em

[KoalaEm]

Firstly.
((((CELEBRATING GOOD RESULTS)))))
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
The scar- my Plastic surgeon said to press along the scar after about a month using a vitamin E oil- you press just hard enough that the skin goes lighter- so it's reasonably firm.
Those hypertrophic scars can ease in time, I hope your does.  
The tape is a simple paper based tape that breathes.  Many people also swear by 'scarguard'- and from what I have read you can buy it cheapest at wallmart.  But I can't say for sure as I am not American- just what I have read.

Happy Holidays!
Em

[whittie918]

I know this is an old post and not specifically targeted at me but I'll give my two cents anyway.  I scar with keloids.  The glue I think helped my scar look much better than it would with stitches or staples.  Yea, I scared a bit still but its TONS better than it would have been.  In past surgeries and injuries I would be purple and swollen for two years.  Now its a tiny bit raised, a tiny bit red but looks otherwise fantastic.

[Avee3]

Hi Em!

I haven't been around in a few weeks...holidays and all.  Just to update since my last posting I finally did get my pathology results and it was benign.  Thyroid function is still normal.  Yeah!

As far as the scar.....I'm a little worried frankly.  It looked good while the glue was still on and right after all the glue peeled off.  Now, it's starting to look like a hypertrophic scar....it's slightly raised... almost like it has a little ridge. The surgeon says it will go down but, frankly, I'm worried.  I was also told to do nothing and I was of the opinoin that touching it might make it worse.  I think I was wrong.  Where did you get the tape and how did you use it?  I might give it a try.

Best,

Avee

[KoalaEm]

Me too! I wore mine covered with a scarf so my special needs kiddies wouldn't freak.
Except for some adorable twins who ASKED to see the scar!
Em

[wandy07]

I just started putting ScarRemover on my scar (1 month post op).  The scar is still tender, red, kinda ugly.  The surgeon used dissolvable stitches so I could go on to be with my family at Thanksgiving.  I have heard that Vitamin E oil is good, but the drug store was out, so I bought the Scar Remover.  I keep the scar covered most of the time because I work with a special needs child who would be really upset if she saw it.  She just knows that I had a sore neck! :)   I love this forum!  Thanks for all the info!  wandy 07

[utahmomma]

I left my scar(s) alone both times until about the 4-week mark then I slathered it in Aloe Vera and chapstick (with SPF).  My scar is pretty much invisible.  My surgeon told me to keep it moist after the 1-month mark because cracking could make it more visible.  I was also told to massage the Aloe in gently to help break down the scar tissue

[Thypatient]

Sixteen months later, the redness of my scar has faded a lot  When my scar was more obvious I met up with people who saw it and mentioned having gone through the same thing.  Glancing at their necks I hardly would have guessed there was anything going on.  So I think, regardless, time heals.

This might sound out there - but the ancient indians saw the element 'air' as a natural healer.  My yoga teacher says this too, even despise the average amount of pollutants.

I take a multi-vitamin.  Also take a small dose of vitamin E, orally.

Best wishes.



  

[alec1572]

My surgeon also said the same thing - dont put any topical ointment or anything. So i obeyed. She also made me remove the gauze a week after the operation. I guess 2 weeks post-op, the scar is dry and "has grown smaller" (it seems) but it is still reddish and really attracts stares from people.

What should i do to lessen the redness?