Shark bite Ivor Lewis

[Cavalier3]

I’m just a year post IL surgery and on the whole I’m doing really well. Just a shout out to anyone who’s had the shark bite cut across your front. I know it was clamped open for a good number of hours and the cut itself has caused some damage. Mine is still very swollen and tender in my lower abdomen too. Will this feel any better as time goes on. I’m not complaining, I’m happy to be alive xxxx

[ccfc]

Hi, My cut eased over time. Mine is around my back and side. I smiled when I read you describing it as a shark bite because when I had the op, which will be ten years in November, I joked to my then seven year old granddaughter that I had been bitten by a shark but I managed to fight it off. Good luck and best wishes, James.

[Cavalier3 in reply to ccfc]

Hi James, yes it’s quite gruesome and shocking when you first see it. I have the one from the middle of my back to under my armpit too but that one has settled down lovely. It’s the one on my front that is bothering me. Its good to hear that in 10 years they will ease more over time. Thank you abs take care. Sue x

[Sue125nd]

It all gets better as time goes by. My scar (nearly 5 years on) is now very faint - not that I look at it much!!! Pain eases - I struggled a bit for the first year to 18 months and then have barely looked back since. Good luck and it will get easier.

[Cavalier3]

Thank you Sue.. it’s around my stomach that bothers me most. Clothes/waistbands are very uncomfortable. It’s good to hear it will get better in time. Thank you and take care xxxxxx

[Janashlin]

Same as the others but oh how I love to hear comments from people who are 5-10-15 years on. Gives us all hope for a future!

PS. Look up facia and how you can help your facia heal. That has really helped me, stretching and Pilates.

[Cavalier3 in reply to Janashlin]

Thank you 😊 Yes I do love to hear from our 5-10 years.. I think we have a 20+ on the group too! I’ve just looked that up and that’s fascinating already. I will look for a Pilates class, would Yoga be as good? Thank you for your help

[Janashlin in reply to Cavalier3]

I find the reformer Pilates best for me and I also have the Ashley Black Fascia Ball that I use to stretch and roll my side / back. Still a work in progress but much better than it used to be. Best of luck

[HONORIUS]

I underwent an Ivor Lewis in 2015. I can only imagine that Simon Dwerryhouse, my brilliant surgeon at Gloucester Royal must spend his weekends practising petit-point as the scar is now infinitesimal. I still get rib pain from time to time, especially after (occasional) bouts of coughing. And yes, in tune with other members, very much still here to tell the the tale.

[Cavalier3 in reply to HONORIUS]

Thank you… my back scar is brilliant it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s my abdominal scar or where it was clamped open that bothers me. Being here to talk about it is all that matters. I’m very grateful to be alive xx

[Kentishred]

I'm two years on from my Ivor Lewis and I still get some discomfort in my ribs but that's all I do yoga and find that helps keep my scar tissue stretched though it was more than 18 months before stopped pulling. Really happy to be well.Keep stretching it certainly helps.

[Cavalier3 in reply to Kentishred]

Thank you.. I’ve been looking at yoga and Pilates and a friend has said she will come with me so I’m going to give it a try. X

[Molly14]

Hi Sue - I’m 6 and half years since my shark bite surgery - i had a terrible time with my abdominal scar as I had a second emergency 3 months after and they went in through the original scar which had healed beautifully - so the scar is still swollen and gets a bit sore - I turn my underwear waist band down - were joggers in the evening as they are elastic waist and when I wear jeans I always leave the top button open. I think the clamps took a huge toll on my body as I am tall but have a very fine frame and no real fat - I still get a lot of numbness, ache, discomfort and pain - I don’t think this will ever go away now but I’ve learned to live with it and I’m very active dog walking and horse riding - all the best x

[Molly14]

Oh forgot best tip - I always wear a vest as that protects from any rubbing 🤗

[Cavalier3 in reply to Molly14]

Hi Molly, I thought I had replied but it seems to have disappeared! Your experience sounds very like mine and where I am up to. I was 50 when I was diagnosed and weighed 10stone. I managed to get up to 10.8. I’m 5ft 8 and now about 9stone. I was cut under my rib cage from one side to the other in an upside V shape. It’s numb, painful, swollen and so uncomfortable I struggle with waistbands and fold them down too. I was hoping it may get better in time but a permanent adjustment to my wardrobe is ok! I can’t wear normal bras anymore so wear vest tops and soft bralette type ones. I walk lots, I have 2 dogs so they keep me busy. Trying to get myself for enough to get up Snowdon later this year. Sue

[Molly14 in reply to Cavalier3]

Yeah sue we are much the same - I was 48 when diagnosed completely out the blue as I was so fit and healthy! You’re lucky with your weight as I still struggle putting it on and I’m only just over 7 stone - my consultant puts it down to me being so active and burning off more than putting in but I’m the ‘on the go’ type of person - I’m active all day - it keeps me sane. Dogs are just the best medication and I hope you manage Snowdon xx

[Cavalier3 in reply to Molly14]

Mine was out of the blue too.. I lost one of my dogs and got heartburn that wouldn’t go away with over the counter meds. My GP referral was because my grandma died from oesophageal cancer. Just be be on the safe side she said!!! I did have upper back pain that I had been to see a physio and chiropractor with that was my cancer but I would never have linked it. Thank goodness we are here to tell the tale Molly and for many more years to come. Xxxx

[liz_crisp]

I have a v shaped scar on my abdomen that healed well with no infection and only caused a problem later with some adhesions which were sorted out when I had my Gall bladder removed. The incision on my back causes a lot of pain it got infected and took along time to heal. Having chemo after the op seemed to delay it healing too. as the day goes on it requires strong pain killers and heat to make it settle down in the evening if I have been sitting in an office chair or moving my arms much.