Hi,
So I had my heart valve replacement surgery just over 6 weeks ago. My arms and chest ache at times but generally I'm ok. Ive read on paperwork it says about not putting cream on scar after surgery. Did anybody put bio oil or something like on after a while to help with healing.
Thanks
Tammy x
Hi, I didn’t put any cream on my scar until about the 6month mark I did try the bio oil but I found it stained my clothes so ended up using e45 scream. But not to promote healing but to just moisturise it.
Same for me, didn't get on with Bio oil on my scar sadly, even the smallest amount felt like a bit of an oil slick on my chest. I just left my scar alone as much as I could and it healed fine.
I had CABG surgery at the beginning of September, and started moisturising the chest scar with Bio oil about a month ago. I think gently massaging the Bio oil in each morning has helped the appearance of the scar and the top/bottom scar lumpiness.
How long afterCABg did the pain in the chest q shoulders last. I'm 7weeks out Of surgery. Some mornings I'm very stiff an painful. I sleep well . .no painkillers any more. Haven't seen my GP. Have a good day x x
I am now five months post surgery, things are gradually improving, but I still have post-surgery chest pain first thing in the morning when I sit up from lying down or if I cough or bend forwards. I also have a constant feeling of tightness/pressure in my chest, not sure if this is normal or not. Consultant assured me a while back that this is normal after surgery, but seems to be dragging on a bit, think I will have to get it checked out if I can given virus situation.The shoulder pain which I think was due to how the surgeons have us lying during the surgery gradually went away, probably by 8-12 weeks from what I can remember.
I encourage you to not put any cream on your scar at first until it heals and there is no chance of getting an infection. The first time I had surgery (many years ago) I didn't listen to the surgeon and put cream on my scar and I ended up with a bad infection. Keep your hands away from your scar. Six months after my OHS I started using bio oil and my scar, now almost 3 years old, has healed beautifully.
Hi Tammy,
I didn't use anything and it has healed fine. You can see it, but it has faded a lot. I suspect, if we ever get a summer, that a bit of a tan will cover it nicely. Although I am half Scottish so it takes a month for me just to turn white from my normal blue colour.
Peter
Morning Tammy,
I didn’t use anything on my scar for the first 5-6 months then bio oil really just to moisture the skin remember I am 4 years on there is only one little bit that is still visible, and that is very faint.
Hope your doing well,
Best wishes Pauline
Hi Tammy,
I asked the same question the other day and the consensus was that you shouldn't use anything until it's fully healed. I believe that was good advice. Good luck!
Strange you read not to use anything on scar. I was opposite after six weeks was encouraged to lightly massage scar with E45 or bio oil. I used E45 lotion found it less greasy. Also informed this would help the nerve ends healing. Check with your rehab nurse. Give them a call I am sure it will be fine and will help the healing process
Gil
I used bio oil following surgery for Brest cancer and thought it had worked really well.
I decided to do the same for my heart surgery scar but quite frankly, when the time came, I forgot. I did, however, find that I would fairly frequently gently rub the scar partly because I was intrigued to see if I could feel the wires. It healed really well and just over two years later the scar is barely visible.
One of the cardiac nurses I spoke to asked me if I rub the scar. She said gentle rubbing improves blood flow and aids healing. No need for expensive oils just have a little stroke now and then.
Hi, I’ve only just had my op, a week ago, and so there’s no way I could consider touching it yet! However have had surgery in the past. Massaging bio oil, or great cream like E45 is great as it improves elasticity. Be careful in the sun with any scar -use sun block to reduce damage to the scar.
I would use bio oil to reduce scarring but not until at least a year later; certainly never why it's still healing. I once used it on a 20 year old very hard raised scar from a biopsy and although it's still visible it is now completely flat and soft
Thank you all for your feedback, think I will leave it for a while and speak to cardiac nurse x
Found Johnson's baby oil helped with the scarring and the itchiness
I used Johnson's baby talc and have found it brilliant for the itchiness and scarring 😊😊
Yep Tammy. Once it had fully healed (and it was probably around the point you are now though possibly more like 8-10 weeks, timings are a bit hazy) I found using bio oil really helpful (and soothing) on my scar.
It's hard to gauge but I do think it made a difference to how visible it is; I barely notice it, now, although it was very neat even from day one. Unlike the 1970s tramlines I have on my back from when as a child I had my aortic coarctation repaired, which the team at St Thomas's described as "ooh that was aggressive" (I think they were trying to be diplomatic). It all sounds like you're doing well? How's it all going? Nic x
I wouldn’t use anything until it’s healed. I use Rosehip oil or Nuxe (because I use these as part of my skincare regimen anyway). The action of massage helps the scarring by promoting blood flow and anything moisturising to help the skins elasticity. My dermatologist recommended Vaseline in the past.
Post Op meeting with Surgeon 
Post-op heart flutters
palpitations 2 weeks post op
post Op
Post op
