10 weeks after surgery, is it normal for skin to feel tight at top of scar? Does anyone use Bio-oil on scar?

[Singathome]

Had AVR with elongation of aorta on 20 February 2020. Because of Covid-19, no follow up with hospital or cardiac rehab classes.

[gilreid1]

Hi. You should have been advised how to look after your scar. Bio oil is fine but I preferred E45 lotion less greasy. Gentle massage with two fingers. I was doing this around five weeks after operation about twice a day after shower in the morning and before bed at night.

[Singathome in reply to gilreid1]

I’ve asked my cardiac rehab nurse on phone about bio-oil but she wasn’t sure. Have used on scar in past and found excellent. Also wondering about massage to stop adhesions, says 3 months post op on internet. Thought that might be causing tightness. Any ideas?

[gilreid1]

Shocked a rehab nurse had not heard of this.

You can call a BHF nurse on 03003303311. They will advise you. And I would never take DR Google’s advice on anything

[Singathome in reply to gilreid1]

Actually that advice was from britishskinfoundation.org. Thanks for your thoughts.

[080311]

Hi Singathome

I had AVR and bypass 3 1/2 years ago, I didn’t have any tightness from my scar though left hand side of my chest was numb due to them harvesting my artery for the bypass. I did use argon oil from about 3 months after my shower, my scar was a bit bumpy but that evened out eventually and now it’s still visible but quite faint. Where they joined my sternum looks fine though when I feel it one side seems higher than the other! Told it’s just how I was joined together!

Hope you continue to make good progress,

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[Singathome in reply to 080311]

Thanks for that. Am going to start bio/oil today after shower. All seems fully healed now, so should be ok. Recommendation from British skin foundation was not to massage immature scars until about 3 months, so at 10+ weeks probably near enough?

You stay safe and well.

[kefalonia1]

Hi, l had two AVR's 5 weeks apart because the first one failed so my reopened scar was quite big. That was just over 3 years ago, l found that a good quality coconut oil gently rubbed into my scar worked really well and was a lot cheaper in the long run. l wish you well with your recovery both physically and mentally. Take care, Sue.

[Singathome in reply to kefalonia1]

That’s so helpful, thanks. 2 AVR’s in 5 weeks! Wow. Well done you for coping. Will try the coconut oil and see how I get on with it. Hope you are coping with lockdown as well! It’s not easy.

[kefalonia1 in reply to Singathome]

Hi, thanks yes it was hard but l coped much better with the physical recovery despite spending three months in hospital but the mental side of recovery was horrendous because of reoccurring vivid flashbacks and nightmares this continued for two years but they have stopped now. As for the lockdown its not a problem for me because l live in the country in a place l call Crematorium village, its full of nosey embittered senile old people. There are some nice people who we like but luckily my Husband is home with me at the moment so l have got him decorating while l lay on the sun lounger drinking wine and eating chocolate, (can't complain). lf we don't stop snacking and need to go to hospital( heaven forbid) they will have to remove the window to get us out we are getting so fat!!! Hee, hee.

[Singathome in reply to kefalonia1]

Think mental side of lockdown is the hardest to bear. Glad you are finally over your problems. Sounds like fun in Crematorium village.

[Hidden]

My cabg scar still feels tight at 12 weeks post op so I started using bio oil three days ago. Too early to tell if its working yet but it does wonders at matting up my chest hair!

[Singathome in reply to Hidden]

Don’t think that is something I can look forward to - or not as the case may be! Hope you continue to imply.

[seven-oh]

I've been using bio oil for 6 months, most of my scar is barely visible except for one raised bit near the sternum. Yes it does feel tight and itchy, I'm assured it will all settle down. I had my op last July.

[Singathome]

Thanks for that. Reassuring to know that this will get better with time and bio oil! Helps to share experiences.