Post op scars

[Alice90]

I know in the grand scheme of things a few little scars on your stomach is nothing, but I would really like to feel better about them, does anyone have any advice on how to reduce them? I've been using bio oil for a while now and just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions.

[Impatient]

How old are the scars? Mine are barely there at all these days. You'd have to look hard to see them. The older the scars the less noticeable they become on the whole.

I treat my scars as battle wounds they are part of what I have been through and I am proud of them in my own little way. They're just part of me.

My hair colour has changed over the years, my teeth have yellowed and my skin has picked up a few wrinkles here and there and I hve a few battle scars. I've got pierced holes in my ears that weren't there in my teens and these little changes to my appearance tell part of the story of my life.

the only scar that i ever gave extra attention too, was my large laparotomy hole wound. I did put arnica gel on it for several days after the dressings came off, but not to reduce the scar so much as to sooth the bruising as it went through all the colours of the rainbow. It is hardly noticeable now.

If scars are discoloured then you can ask at the pharmacist for camouflage creams (usually used for strawberry birthmarks and that sort of discolouration). They come in different skin tones.

If the scars are lumpy you might want to speak to a skin doctor about having them lasered flat again, but that's really a bit drastic in my personal opinion, if they are not actually causing you pain or catching on clothes.

the best advice for any scars is keep them out of the sun and sunbeds. Cover them up with decent protection if you're catching rays. The skin of scars is much more sensitive to sunlight and tanning and will be much more noticeable to other people as well as yourself with additional sun damage to them.

Apart from that love your scars they're part of you and your life. Ignore them and you'll get used to them. I don't even think about mine these days. I've got so many from operations and accidents I've had over the years. Everyone has them if they have lived a half decent life.

Acne scars, Chicken Pox scars, cuts to hands and fingers, knees shins and feet, operations, piercings, tattoos, cosmetic surgery, insect bites that have gone septic, vaccines, innoculations, etc etc. The list goes on and on. As everyone goes through life they accumulate little reminders of what their body has been through to get this far.

[jojo777]

I agree with Impatient, i feel that my scars are part of my personal fight, "every scar makes me who I am today"...and I like them on me.

They can barely be seen though, they are so small and one of them is hidden under the underwear.

Ask your pharmacist for advice on a cream x

[Lillil]

Hey,

I understand the above but also know where you are coming from.

Scars do not finish healing until 1 year after the first incision so to get the best appearance the most important factor is firm massage 2-3times a say with a vitamin e cream is sufficient for up to a year.

This is important to help keep the scars healthy, which is good to do for us ladies who are likely to have many ops.

Scars can be revised if they become unsightly and they are effecting your state of mind, but in people needing numerous ops it is likely that would be done at each op they will get tidied up any way.

I feel a bit funny about my scars too. It shocks me when i see them. Not because they are big or unsightly but it makes me realise in real evidence what ive been through rather than just thinking it in my mind.

I think as time goes on, I will accept them more as Im learning (with a grudge!) to accept the new me with endo.

Wish you wellxxx

[Hidden]

I have strange skin which doesn't heal properly, (everything goes keloid), so in the past when I had other operations I used bio oil, vitamin e etc. This time I was advised to just leave it alone (and don't use the sun bed!!!!). That's what I did. To be honest, though it settled down after a year, it was probably a good two years for me because it takes me so long to heal. But the scar didn't go keloid, and all you can see is a very very thin line. I think it's beautiful. Wear it with pride!

[Karenjroe]

I was told to Apply cocoa butter or bio oil, massage in large circle. My scar for my surgery was straight up also had 2 bikini line for the op so I am busy massaging away its only been 12 weeks