3 weeks post-op. My scars are awful, crooked and thick. what can you do to reduce them?

check out the scar stages sticky -- everyone is different. I used mederma and it worked well for me, the scars are still noticable, but nothing like they used to me.

I don't know how to look at stickies. However, I do know a little bit about scars. At three weeks, your scars are still very immature. On average, scars mature in approximately, 6 - 12 months. Massage, Massage, Massage is the best treatment. When you rub the scar you desensitize the scar and you breakdown the scar tissue (collagen). Mederma is a good product to use when massaging. Also, you should prevent sun exposure because this allows darker pigments to "set" in your scar and often they will not fade. Anybody want to instruct which tab contains "stickies"?

I rubbeb mine with vitamin E oil. It helped with the itching and kept them soft and supple. they are no longer raised. Just ever so slightly pinkish purple around the edges, but fading more every day. I'm 5 months out.

For Sticky - under the general lap band forum at the very top of the page there are discussion threads that are labeled as STICKY - which means they never move, always stay at the top of the general lap band forum section. One sticky is before and afters (my fav) but another one is called Scar Stages - Share Yours! This is more than you ever wanted to know about scars....

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/scar-stages-share-yours-6117/index29.html

This link contains my post about scars. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using Kelo-Cote. Available at SkinStore.com, or you can also get it on ebay. I would also recommend you see a dermatologist that can inject a *tiny* needle with some steroid to reduce the raised appearance of the scars. Visit a dermatologist ASAP, and have regular visits every 3 months for your first year post-op. You have a precious window to get a handle on your scars. After they mature, it's much more difficult to deal with them to reduce their appearance.

I also used Arnica Montana which promotes healing. Available at GNC. I used it before surgery and for the 4 months post-op.

Now is the time to get proactive and deal with the scars!! Don't wait!!!

I have used mederma, but not for these scars. I am using cocoa butter w/ vitamin e. My scars are barely visible except for the port scar.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/scar-stages-share-yours-6117/index29.html

This link contains my post about scars. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using Kelo-Cote. Available at SkinStore.com, or you can also get it on ebay. I would also recommend you see a dermatologist that can inject a *tiny* needle with some steroid to reduce the raised appearance of the scars. Visit a dermatologist ASAP, and have regular visits every 3 months for your first year post-op. You have a precious window to get a handle on your scars. After they mature, it's much more difficult to deal with them to reduce their appearance.

I also used Arnica Montana which promotes healing. Available at GNC. I used it before surgery and for the 4 months post-op.

Now is the time to get proactive and deal with the scars!! Don't wait!!!

I was completely inspired by your post in the scar sticky and bought the Kelo-Cote on eBay (way cheaper than Skinstore!). I've been doing the Arnica, but didn't start it until the day before the surgery.

How many times a day were you applying it? I'm doing it twice right now, because it tends to rub off under my shirt. I can't do the underwire bra thing; in fact, I've not even attempted it. So, for now, I'm doing wildly unsupportive jogbras. Better than nothing and they will at least keep me from being arrested whenever I leave the house. :biggrin:

-m