Surgical Marking Pen is not going away! Need Advice!

AngelLaura92
on 8/1/10 12:18 am, edited 8/1/10 1:54 am

During my 1 month visit with my surgeon, I showed him my incision marks. I have a total of 6 scares and 3 of them he must of used some sort of marking pen that can still be seen. It's been 6 weeks since my surgery and they have not gone away.

My surgeon said that with some patients, the ink does not fade away and for it to be removed I would have to go to a Tattoo Laser Removal place.

Has this happened to any of you? If so, did you remove it with the tattoo laser removal? If you have not had laser removal, did you marks stay permanently or did they fade after a few months. How was the laser removal? Feeling? Cost?

I'm really worried because they are very noticeable. Please give me some advice.

View Picture of my 3 scares with Pen markings:

WildHeart101
on 8/1/10 12:36 am - Lexington, KY

RNY on 07/13/10

That sounds crazy! The pens the hospital I work at comes right off. One of my jobs is to bath patients and it comes right off with the first washing.....

Sounds like that hospital needs to use a different kind of marking pen.....

Cindy

*number on ticker includes 14.5 lbs lost prior to surgery

Dave Chambers
on 8/1/10 12:40 am - Mira Loma, CA

RNY on 05/10/06

Check your surgeon's link. There appear to be a number of OH people there. Why not PM a few of those members? I've never hears of surgical pen markings not being removeable. Have you tried to remove it yourself with things like nail polish remover? Or Goof Off or a similar product. Maybe your surgeon was joking with you? At any rate, he should have given you some guidance in removal, besides mentioning laser removal. DAVE

Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.

hedrider
on 8/1/10 12:41 am - Midlothian, TX

RNY on 03/29/10

I've never heard that and I work in an OR. What have you used to try to remove it?

Heather
Since 2008 my team has raised over $42,000 to fight breast cancer.

Carebearny1999
on 8/1/10 1:11 am - Rochester, NY

RNY on 09/28/10

I've never heard of that as well! When I had my knee surgery I had to mark my own leg and the marks I made (Silly me already half-doped on meds made a smiley face) removed instantly with an alcohol prep pad. And I worked in a school too--even sharpie can be removed with alcohol and some elbow grease...

AngelLaura92
on 8/1/10 1:56 am

RNY on 06/14/10

I just posted a picture. Tell me what you guys think. Any nurses or doctors on here ever seen this before?

ronib
on 8/1/10 2:43 am - Grand Junction, CO

RNY on 07/21/10

I am wondering if the ink did get into the skin.... via surgery. thats basically what a tattoo is, ink under skin. He may be right. Be patient, if it still looks that way in a year then worry about it, but he could be right. Hope it fades:)

In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired. ~Author Unknown