Can someone give advice on Scar Prevention?

[use-to-be-cute 0]

I was banded on Friday. I hope this doesn't sound vain but I am wondering if anyone has advice on limiting the scarring from the surgery? Right now it doesn't look pretty down there. (Thank goodness my surgeon used Super Glue instead of staples or stitches). Has anyone used Vitamin E or Neosporin on the surgical cuts? If so, when did you start using it? Do you have obvious scars?

[Derby 2]

I've been using shea butter. I bought it at Whole Foods. I've had two friends have surgeries and use she butter to lessen their scars. It works!

[Me3 0]

Congratulations on your banding! :wub:

My surgeon is also a wound care specialists that works with people with exceptionally difficult incision and wound healing. He was very adamate with me that i do NOTHING to the area until the scabs had completly come off... about 4 weeks post op.

At that point after he said all was healed I actually had an intrernal stitch poke through which was painless but had to be snipped. Had to wait another 2 weeks. Then the only thing that he recoomended was taking a Vitamin e capsule and snipping the tip and massaging the scar. It only softens the skin and makes the appearance better.

Long term he says that it will take about a year for the scars to heal to that opaque barely there white.

He told me that mederma and the other topicals were a waste of moiney and time. Personally, I believe him

Best of luck and many hugs!

Heather

[Knaroz 31]

Yeah I have heard a lot of people praise Vit E capsules. The big thing is like was said above wait a minimum of 4 weeks as any "wetness" you apply to the area (IE neosporin, creams, etc) will harbor germs and can make your scars much worse in the long term.

[Jachut 487]

You really dont need to do anything much, they are not major scars. Five years down the track I have a pink line over my port adn I cant even find the other scars.

[StormRoyale 2]

My husband (who's a physician) said that it doesn't matter what you rub on your scars... it's the rubbing of the scars themselves that causes your body to send more cells to the area, increasing the healing efficiency and in turn... lessening the appearance of the scar.

I probably look like an idiot walking around rubbing my belly all the time, but hey... whatever works!:wub:

[BetsyB 9]

It's CRUCIAL that you NOT put anything at all on fresh incisions. When you see your doctor for your first postop visit, you can discuss scar prevention; mine didn't want me using anything like Mederma for six months after surgery.

Now I'm six months out, and the scars are almost a non-issue---I won't be buying any Mederma. (It works---it's just not something I need; only the port incision is particularly noticeable--and it's fading fast.)

[malinda1229 1]

I have had several surgeries, all have formed keliods, a raised bump on the skin...my surgon used GLUE TOO and guess what I have just a little line right now (surgey date was July 15) on 4 of the 5 incisions. The large one where the port is I still have glue on but they all look great. I have hearb mederma works but I dont think I'll even need it. I LOVE THE GLUE!!

[sandradee0124 0]

You definitely don't want to use anything until the dermabond has flaked off completely, and you have approval from your surgeon to move forward.

My PA recommended A&D ointment and it works great! I just use it at night so I don't smell like a diaper rash baby at work lol. In the morning I use Vitamin E from Burts Bees and I love it.

I'm 9 weeks out and the four little ones are not noticeable at all. The port scar isn't bad.

It doesn't really matter anyways because I'm not showing anybody my belly, its just me. LOL.

Good luck!:wub:

[ElfiePoo 109]

Cool...my area of expertise :wub:.

First, do not put anything on your incision until it is healed. That means wait until even the scabs are gone.

Second, Vitamin E in capsules...generally measured in IU's...are of no real benefit. The carrier in the capsule is merely glycerin with Vitamin E molecules attached and this is what you are rubbing into your skin. The type of Vitamin E used in these capsules is meant to be taken internally. The Vitamin E does not become useable until it goes through the digestion process, at which time the Vitamin E is cleaved off and is now in useable form. So the only benefit you're getting is from the carrier or glycerin.

If you want to lessen scarring, you want Rose Hip Seed Oil. Studies have proven that rose hip seed oil rejuvenates skin cells. Some of the women in the study (all had mastectomies) didn't even have to have plastic surgery to deal with the scarring afterward because the rose hip seed oil worked so well.

Rainbowmeadow.com has it and it's listed under nutrients. If you really want Vitamin E though, you can also get the right Vitamin E...also listed under nutrients. You might also try a health food store or drugstore.

.

[missdee 0]

Hello from down under,

I have worked extensively with burns and scars as a therapist. Adhesive silicone sheeting can work wonders with scars. That being said, it does require a build up of wearing time due to sensitivity to the product and the wound needs to be completely healed.

I have used it for all three surgeries (original band and two port revisions) and you could barely tell I've had any surgery.

I hope this helps :thumbup:

Miss Dee

www.wonderwomansequel.blogspot.com

[KS_sxychoc 0]

My husband (who's a physician) said that it doesn't matter what you rub on your scars... it's the rubbing of the scars themselves that causes your body to send more cells to the area, increasing the healing efficiency and in turn... lessening the appearance of the scar.

I probably look like an idiot walking around rubbing my belly all the time, but hey... whatever works!:blushing:

Totally agree....

I had 7 previous operations and the best thing for all my scars was just to rub them. I agree, not really using anything special. Mainly something to lubricate them, but I also do the rubbing thing out in public.

But these will be my best so far because the are so minimal compared to my sports injuries.

[tinksmom 0]

My scars are smooth but still quite dark 4 months out but I have very light skin. Even a small kitchen burn takes forever to fade. I got inexpensive Vitamin e cream to rub in and it seemed to smooth them out. However, I also recently had carpal tunnel surgery with a nasty scar, swelling underneath and a lot of tenderness. Finally was sent to PT and was given a silicone sheet to wear with a molded pad to keep contact. I can't believe the difference. I'm going to get the silicone at the drug store for my band incisions to get rid of the redness.

[ElfiePoo 109]

My husband (who's a physician) said that it doesn't matter what you rub on your scars... it's the rubbing of the scars themselves that causes your body to send more cells to the area, increasing the healing efficiency and in turn... lessening the appearance of the scar.

I probably look like an idiot walking around rubbing my belly all the time, but hey... whatever works!:blushing:

Storm,

Have your husband do some research on rose hip seed oil. The ones I read were published in JAMA. Sorry but I don't have the year or volume. No rubbing necessary. Just the application of the oil.

[use-to-be-cute 0]

Where do I buy the silicone sheets? I never heard of them before. Are they available in the US? Is there a brand name?