When did you start your scar treatment?

I'm thinking of what type of scar treatment I should use on my arms and thighs.  I know some love the silicon strips and others like scar gels.  When did you start using your scar treatment and for how long?  I plan to email my dr and see when he wants me to start but thought I would ask you guys.

Thanks!
Melissa

Hi Melissa,

I started mine at 6 weeks.  Dr. recommended Mepiform silicone tape or ScarGuard M.D.  The Mepiform tape is very expensive.  The cheapest I found it was through Amazon.  It is still shipped directly from the manufacturer (whose price on their own website is more than what they charge through Amazon).  I am also using the ScarGuard.  I travel a lot and find it easier when out of town, but it has to be applied twice a day and flakes off inside my clothing.  It works well on my belly button though.   I am a bit frustrated with the tape on my back for my LBL scar. It gets rolled up from my clothing brushing up and down against it when it sit and stand.  So, I don't use it (waste it) on my back during the day.  I know there are less expensive silicone tapes and pads.  I think one of the ladies on here had great results with CVS's house brand.

Terri

I was thinking of trying the CVS strips with this go round.  I know some of the stips are very expensive.

Thanks!

I'm using the CVS strips.  I order them online since I do not have a CVS in town.  The shipping is free and I have found them to be working fairly well.  I started at 6 weeks post op - I wear them for 4 days at a time (removing for showers only) - then I open new ones.  I use 3 on each arm and I'm using a Vit E cream on my TT scars.  (it's kind of an experiment to see which works better) - then on the back of my arms/arm pit area, I'm using just Nevia (sp?) skin firming lotion (actually these scars look the best) --

The arms scars where the CVS strips are - are lighter and flatter now.  I'm going to continue using them.  The garments I wear (the ones you bought - Marena) help keep the strips in place too!

I had an Anchor TT and brachioplasty on 11/23/2009.  My plastic surgeon started scar treatment in January and suggested Kelocote silicon gel.  It is pretty expensive and very sticky until it dries which takes a little while.  It worked very well on my stoma*****isions but not so well on my arms.  I just had kenalog injections into the scar line on both arms in February and have to go back and have it done again in April.  They are a little "ropy" looking and still pretty red- especially by the antecubital area.  The inections were a little uncomfortable and I am not looking forward to having them again but will tolerate them if it helps with the scarring.

Good luck!
Kathy

Let me know how the injections work for you.  I have heard of a couple of people doing them but never heard back to see how the results came out.  I'm curious if there really is a noticeable improvement.  I hope so!

Aloha- My PS rec'd Kelocote gel but said from looking at my other older scars, the new scars would heal fine without anything. If you look at older scars on your body ( I have some doozies from orthopedic procedures 30 years ago), and they are flat and pale, chances are your new scars will also heal like that, provided you don't do anything silly like tan with them and expose them to the sun. I did try a few sample vials of Kelocote startiing when there were no more crusts ( about 2 weeks for me) but didn;t see much of a difference so I honestly haven't been using anything. You might be able to contact the manufacturer for some samples of the gel and the sheets. Good luck, congrats! XoLori

Avon makes a lotion that has A.C,E vitamins in it ,,,They are the only ones who make it ..I used it for TT, ARMS,,Legs ..THe key is as soon as you can,  start massaging the scars with 3 fingers in a circular motion with this lotion ,,,Do it twice a day and EVERYDAY ,,, Best scar fixer in the world. The red ropey look will lie flat but it takes a little while .   I first b ought that expensive scar treatment strips ,creams etc  
My DR siad dont waste your money ,,,Get a lotion with E C AND A and massage everyday twice .
He was correct .
When you massage the scars , try to do it for about 3-5 minutes twice a day with the lotion ,,The massage is what  encourages the scars to lie flat , the lotion keep it smooth and encourages healing with the E.
Shirl
BY the way, the large bottle only cost about $6.00

I thought I already wrote this response but its not there . . .  maybe on another thread.

Dr. S said to get the cheapest silicone you can find.  I went onto ebay.com and found TOP CARE --- 168 strips (same size as CVS --- like 1.5 x 2.5ish) for $49.99 . . .   I bought CVS first and got like 7 strips for $28 . . .  These are the same thing.  Been using for 3 weeks on arms and 2 weeks everywhere else.  Arms look really good.  I also bought paper tape of ebay --- 10 rolls for 10.95 . . . in certain places the strips curl on me (thighs).  Both the CVS and the new one's curl.  Think its just where I bend more.  The paper tape keeps it in place and doesn't leave residue on my body.