Silicone Strips????

I will be 7 weeks Post Op Lower Body Lift this Monday (tomorrow). I tried scar gaurd (the type you apply with a "paint brush for nails). I had no luck, it would peel with  just bushing up against clothes.

I am using silicone strips right now. They are still on after 2 days. But, they do seem to flip over , and i have to reposition the ones on my backside  .

So how thick or thin should strips be, they are soooo  $$$$$! Has anyone used the silicone belt?  please share what is working for   you.

Thanks in advance,
Carmen
prek3

I bought some silicone sheets at cvs... Tried em for a day, but am too chicken to use them for real yet- read you need to have 100% healed scars first, and I wanna take no chances. Anyway, I bought ones that were smaller (read cheaper) and cut each one into three. They end up about 3/4 of an inch thick which is still way thicker than my scars. Can't think of a reason they need to be bigger. Mine stuck perfectly without flipping over though..

Tom used the silicone belt and recommended it.

I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm going to try this tape for my arms, thighs and tummy. It was recommended by Dr. Oliver. I've copied his post from my bookmark.


For those interested, the single most cost-effective treatment for incision scar treatment I've found is a soft silicone tape called Mepitac. It's non-sticky but adheres great and is super non irritating. Best of all it's really cheap compared to traditional silicone sheeting

a 3 meter roll (almost 9 feet long) can be picked up for $13.

http://www.healthykin.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=2988&SE Name=molnlycke-mepitac-soft-silicone-tape


This tape is great for arm lift and thigh lift incisions. It can be removed and will restick to bath or shower.

I have used the Mepitac tape. It sticks real well and is easy to re-apply. I would recommend it for those who want to use the tape. It is also very reasonably priced.

I have been using Mederma, as this is what my surgeon recommended. I find this the best product of all. My scars are barely visible.

Marianne

My silicone strips are 1" by 6" long.  They are reusable and you can rinse them off, let dry and reapply.  They are hard to keep on the incision with undies moving up and down and on arms that are rubbing against your body.

I use them on brachioplasty incisions from below elbow up to armpit.  I use the "legs" of a toddler pair of tights (cut off panty and toe).  I slide these over my arms and use a self-sticking type ACE bandage at the top of my arms to keep the "tights" from rolling down.

On belly (from fleur de lis abdominoplasty) I use the strips on the horizontal and vertical incisions.  I cover the strips with a 4X4 inch dressing (open it so it is 8" long) and use paper tape to secure.  Then when I change clothes or pull undies up and down the silicone strips stay on.  You could also have a compression garmet with open crotch that would keep them on.

I have no advise to offer how to keep them on your bumm (except a one piece compression garment with the split crotch).  Sorry.

Someone mentioned using paper tape on incisions - but I am very careful with paper tape - it sometimes takes my skin off when I pull the tape off - not good.

I use a brand called Cicacare.  Here in Canada, a 5x7" sheet is about $95.  So SUPER expensive.  If anyone knows where to buy it cheaper (or a similar product) in the US, please let me know!  I'll drive over and pick some up!

I cut it into strips - about .5cm on either side of the scar (so about 1cm total width).  Mine are wash and re-wear, they seem to last at least a month or more.  When they get cloudy and start to rip apart, I change them.  Otherwise I just wash them daily when I shower.

I was told to start using them as soon as my scars had stopped "weeping" any fluid.  I could put them over scabs.  So I've been using them since about 8 days out.  I did have bad keloid scars on my arms from my intial surgery - so this is a revision, and he is being very "hard core" about treatment.  I wear them 23 hours a day (just off for showering).

For my arms, I have custom fit compression garments (like burn victims wear).  The combination of compression and silicone is supposed to be the most effective at preventing keloid scars.  He told me I should be wearing these until the scars are no longer red.  But that I could start to go down to 8-10 hours a day (I'm almost a month out).  Right now...I'm sticking with 23hours a day - I don't want to take any chances.

For my belly - I use Micropore tape over the sheets.  You can buy it in a bunch of widths.  I use the 1" tape for the long lines, and the 2" tape (just one square) over my belly button.  I find that tape doesn't bother my sensitive skin, as long as I'm careful when removing it.  If I pull it too fast, it can "burn" my skin, and then I get a rash for sure.  If I had a mild compression top (like a Flexees cami or something), I could probably wear that overtop instead...but I didn't want to buy one just for this!

The good news is, my arm scars seem to be healing MUCH better than the last time.  I think/hope! 

The cvs ones are also reusable, and I got them on sale for $14.99... For a box of 28. They are 1.5x3 inches, so I cut each in three, and use 8 across. You could not cut them at all and it would still be plenty for a TT.

Glad you're healing well!

Are they thick or thin?  The ones I use are pretty thick (not like a bandaid, thicker...).  He didn't want me using the thinner ones...Do they have a backing or just pure silicone?

Also - did you have to order them, or just over the counter?  What was the brand name?

I'm heading to Buffalo on the weekend, and I'll grab a box if they will work!  Thanks for the info!

They are a little thicker than a band aid.. Sort of like a burn pad, if you have ever used those. They have a backing to them that is cloth-like.

I just bought them over the counter.. They are the store brand..

Honestly, I am just using cocoa butter, vitamin e oil, and scar cream for my lbl scar. It's so low it will never show if I wear anything low rise. I am using a piece of silicone strip on my belly button and it stays in place with my support wear I wear during the day. I do want a perty belly button!! 

Laura