Question:
I'm 8 mos post op, should my scar still be itching and thick?
I've seen pictures of others who's scars can barely be seen at six months, I'm 8 mos out today and the top six inches of my scar is still very thick and itches everyday! Is this normal? What can/should I do? — sweetiewee (posted on October 21, 2003)
October 21, 2003
I am not sure what to tell you.. sounds like it has turned to a keloid. My
scar is only 4 inches long and the first three inches have turned white and
the last inch or so is a very light pink color. I had my gallbladder
removed 15 years ago and it is a little darker still than my RNY scar from
almost 9 mo ago. The size of your scar depends on your surgeon, but the
keloid is more of a genetic thing I think. Try some Mederma scar cream. I
haven't used it myself, but you can get it in a grocery store. Good luck.
— SarahC
October 21, 2003
I'm six and a half months out and mine is still thick and itchy. In fact,
the past few days I have noticed the top of my scar has become kind of raw.
Yesterday when I came home from the gym and took my sports bra off there
was some blood. I put a bandaid on it to keep my bra from rubbing it any
more raw.I'm hoping that in time the scar will become less thick and fade
some.
— Barbara C.
October 21, 2003
<b>I really don't know. But I had open and Im now 10 months. I tell
ya, my scar itch also. not all the time but when it do It's very annoying.
and it's sore too. All I do is put lotions and creams on it. But when the
time come for reconstruction I sure hope they correct the scar, cause it's
awful. Glad I don't itch everyday.</b>
— Naes Wls J.
October 21, 2003
I'm pre-op, but when I had my gall bladder out years ago the surgeon
recommended rubbing vitamin E oil (you can take apart the capsules if you
want) over the scar. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN INCISION. The
Vitamin E oil moisturized the scar and aided in the healing. I don't
remember having any itching with the scar.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 21, 2003
I'm with Sarah, sounds like a keloid. There are over the counter and
perscription scar creams available which sometimes reduce the scaring. Last
resort is plastic surgery. My son had one removed years ago on his shoulder
and the ins paid because it was a deep keloid. Talk to your Doc.
— M B.
October 22, 2003
Yes, some folks just form keloid scars. Scar revision laser work can be
done by a good plastic surgeon or dermatologist, and is often covered by
insurance if related to surgery. (Open RNY 10-25-03 226 at start)
— Deborah M.
October 22, 2003
Some of us keloid, some don't. I do. Every time. You can get injections in
the scar (no, not bad at all) to make it lie flat and take the pull out of
it. I had gotten my TT one all flat (still wide, but flat) and faded it
with Scargo. Then I had to be revised. Sigh. I called my derma and said we
had to start all over again. She sighed and we scheduled the first
injection for 5 weeks post-op to try to prevent it from thickening up. Mine
are painful, along with ugly. Anyway, we were RIGHT ON TOP OF IT, and
wouldn't you know, my internal stitches didn't dissolve, so had to go back
in at 9 weeks (office procedure) and fix it. Not a big deal, but started
the clock over AGAIN on 2 tiny segments. Between the shots & Scargo,
the bottom one vanished, but the top part is a slight pucker. BUT it is
flat and the Scargo helps fade it. I used Mederma, but it kinda burned
& made it redder, in my case. So, in getting to do this over & over
again, I have my method down pat. I use Vite E oil on the scar for the
first 4 weeks, then start the Scargo, then start the shots at 5 weeks.
Parts of the scar vanished as good scars do, so the method works very well
for some. Hopefully you have a good dermatologist who will work with you.
Mine takes it as her personal assignment to beat them down flat. Besides,
she LOVES watching our progress!
— vitalady
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