Question:
Are there any good products/ideas to lessen the scar?

I'm getting the open RNY in less thasn a month, and I'm interested in any store products/prescribed/or home remedies to help heal the scar well and/or lessen it's appearance.    — Kelly C. (posted on May 16, 2002)

May 16, 2002
I am three weeks post op, staples and butterfly strips out and I am using pure vera aloe gel. It came in a tube at the drugstore. I am also using vitamin E capsules, but it takes about three capsules and is a bit messy. I also bought some aloe vera lotion pre-op but wanted to heal a bit more before I try it. Everytime I am at a drugstore or target/walmart I look at skin care products, lotions to see what is available and to experiment with different things as I find what I like best.
   — Beverly K.

May 16, 2002
There are two products that I have heard about, but have not tried the first is Mederma http://www.mederma.com/ and the second is Catrix http://www.lescarden.com/products/index.html. I can't give any personal testimony on these, so you may want to ask your surgeon.
   — Cheryl S.

May 17, 2002
I had carpal tunnel surgery done by a plastic surgeon. He told me to use cocoa butter lotion and rub in the same direction using my thumb. I followed his instructions on the 1st hand he did and you can barely see the scar. I didn't do as good a job on the 2nd hand and you can tell the difference. He said that cocoa butter lotion will make the scar skin stretch. It worked for me.
   — Traci B.

May 17, 2002
I used vitamin E Cream for some other scars that I have and it worked great!! Especially for lessoning of the keyloid formations and also it faded the redness alot.
   — Karen W.

May 17, 2002
I had knee surgery last September. I applied pur Vitamin E oil (in the bottle, not the capsules). There are 24,000 IU in the bottle. After you shower whiule your skin is still moist, rub a little of the oil into the scar(s). They will be barely visible.
   — Tappinma

May 17, 2002
Hi Kelly! I had seen commercials on TV for a product called Mederma. I went to Walmart to check it out and it was almost $15.00 for a little tube. My surgeon said Vitamin E oil would work fine so I just went with that. I got it at Walmart also and it was just under $4.00 a bottle. Best of luck to you!
   — Dona R.

May 17, 2002
Dona is right! When I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand in March 2001, I used the Vitamin E oil from Wal-Mart 2-3 times a day on my scar (after it was all closed up of course). My physical therapist couldn't believe how good my scar looked. She also said the massaging action of rubbing in the oil is good for the circulation and reduces the scar tissue. It's all the same premise as the "firming lotions" that are so popular today. It isn't just the added moisture that improves the appearance of the skin, it's the increased circulation of the massaging you do when applying. And you don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive Vitamin E creams. The brand of Vitamin E oil I purchased at Wal-Mart is Spring Valley, with 12,000 IU. Good luck to you! :)
   — Anna L.