incision scar

I am 8 weeks out and find that my incision site has changed quite a bit since surgery. It is raised and very red and a little sore at this point. It looks like a worm! I wonder if this is normal? I have some Mederma and just started using it today.... anyone else have luck with this product? I need to get rid of the worm so I can wear my thong bikini in April when I go to Puerto Rico. .....just kidding. Terri

Terri -- I'd call your doctor's office to make sure you don't have a small infection or something. It could just be that it's healing too, what do I know?? And I think we could put up a collection for a pay-out if you DO wear a thong bikini on your vacation... Kathy F.

Terri- My incision is raised and red and I am four and a half months out. I attribute this to the fact that I am pulling up all my big pants since they are so hugs..up over my scar--so my pants don't drag on the floor. Doc checked it today and says it looks fine. Joanie

Terry, I hate to be the bearer of possibly bad news but it sounds like it could be a keloid. Most of my scar has turned keloid and looks gross and raised and I am a year and a half out. I have other scars that did not do this but I have heard from several Dr.s that it is common to get them along the stomach when you are cut vertically. I was also told that the best thing to do to reduce the appearance of them is to use the plastic like scar strips sold in the pharmacy. If it is this, it will improve over time but will never fad like a normal scar. Best of luck. Heather

Unfortunately mine is the same way. This is called a hypertrophic scar in most cases unless it's gone full keloid. The skin cells tend to reproduce too quickly and the scar becomes raised. I had another scar on my arm do the same thing and the plastic surgeon injected it with cortisone. This one on my stomach is a good 4 inches and I even have bumps on either side where the stiches were, so mine looks like a zipper! I haven't had the plastic surgeon look at this one yet (I'm 8 months out) - cause I can't imagine enough cortisone in the world to take down this thing! Of course this doesn't help the redness - he gave me a steroid cream for that on my arm (didn't do much I'm afraid) Anyways, the way I look at it - I'd rather have the scar then the 120+ lbs I've shed since the surgery! Good luck!!!! Hugs, Carla