scar minimizing/incision creams
I'm finally going in for my brachio on Wed! ***eek! so flippin' scared!***
Please tell me what sorts of creams/oils/other you guys have found to help with healing to minimize the appearance of scars. Internal herbal supplements?
I get that no one can give me medical advice blah blah... but I just want to know what others have found that works for them :)
Please tell me what sorts of creams/oils/other you guys have found to help with healing to minimize the appearance of scars. Internal herbal supplements?
I get that no one can give me medical advice blah blah... but I just want to know what others have found that works for them :)
Extended Brachio: 12/21/11
SW/HW: 238 10/2008 ~ Didn't have WLS but wish I had.
Got down to 106 but gained back to 144 (did not take my dad's death well).
CW: 123 ~ Goal: reach/maintain 115
I used micropore tape on my TT scar - which is virtually flat. It's still pretty pink - but I am really fair an only about 2 months out.
I looked into maderma and vitamin e oil - but i read that it's all really a myth and can be hit or miss. I to think the micropore tape helped a lot though.
I looked into maderma and vitamin e oil - but i read that it's all really a myth and can be hit or miss. I to think the micropore tape helped a lot though.
Kristie
leeleeo
on 12/16/11 10:19 pm - Culpeper, VA
on 12/16/11 10:19 pm - Culpeper, VA
My PS said to use antibiotic ointment until all of the scabs are gone. Until they fall off I should keep them moist and try not to let them get crusty. After that she said to massage vitamin E oil on the scar. The massaging is just as important as the vitamin E.
I don't know how well any of this works since I'm still on the antibiotic ointment stage but that's what my doc told me on Thursday. :)
I don't know how well any of this works since I'm still on the antibiotic ointment stage but that's what my doc told me on Thursday. :)
-=lee=-
At goal!
lost 155 lbs, go me!
At goal!
lost 155 lbs, go me!
There's not much science to suggest that anything fancy really adds much to healing beyond taping the incision early. Paper tape (eg. 1" Micropore Medical Tape) is about the cheapest way to go, and would be typically applied for 2-3 weeks after surgery.
I'm getting to be a fan of using silicone tape after I take off the paper tape we use at the end of a case (usually 1 week after surgery). There's some really good cheap silicone tape called Mepitac that comes in a 9 foot roll for only $20 off the internet or Amazon.com. This can be removed to shower and it will restick without irritating. GOOD STUFF!
I'm getting to be a fan of using silicone tape after I take off the paper tape we use at the end of a case (usually 1 week after surgery). There's some really good cheap silicone tape called Mepitac that comes in a 9 foot roll for only $20 off the internet or Amazon.com. This can be removed to shower and it will restick without irritating. GOOD STUFF!
on the web at Plastic Surgery Specialists
blogging on all things plastic surgery at Plastic Surgery 101
blogging on all things plastic surgery at Plastic Surgery 101
My surgeon also does not really believe much helps. He told me to use cocoa butter after the incisions had healed. I still do and I'm almost six months out now.
Laura
Laura
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I've had my brachio scars revised due to keloid scars (just how I heal). I can tell you that I've tried just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for scars - right down to having them cut out and redone to try again.
My scars the second time round are EXACTLY the same as they were the first time. Even with constant silicone scar sheets, and massage, and vitamin E oil AND compression with sleeves (like burn victims wear) for three months.
Honestly? I think it's just about how you heal. Some parts of my scar are flat and almost non-existent, some are raised and ropey.
My scars the second time round are EXACTLY the same as they were the first time. Even with constant silicone scar sheets, and massage, and vitamin E oil AND compression with sleeves (like burn victims wear) for three months.
Honestly? I think it's just about how you heal. Some parts of my scar are flat and almost non-existent, some are raised and ropey.
Proud Member of the Cambridge Crew! 
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
Thanks much for the ideas... I talked to my surgeon at my pre-op after I posted this question and he seemed to think it's the massaging people do when applying the creams that helps, rather than the creams themselves.
I had major surgery on my lower abdomen (not weight loss related) and that scar (11" long) healed such that I can feel it but it's the same color as my skin and very thin... I know arms don't heal as well, but I hope it's a sign that I heal well. :/
Anyway... 47 hours left until they peel my arms like bananas...
I had major surgery on my lower abdomen (not weight loss related) and that scar (11" long) healed such that I can feel it but it's the same color as my skin and very thin... I know arms don't heal as well, but I hope it's a sign that I heal well. :/
Anyway... 47 hours left until they peel my arms like bananas...
Extended Brachio: 12/21/11
SW/HW: 238 10/2008 ~ Didn't have WLS but wish I had.
Got down to 106 but gained back to 144 (did not take my dad's death well).
CW: 123 ~ Goal: reach/maintain 115
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