`Shark` scar.

[Mick]

About 18 months down the line from the op, although its not too much of a problem. I find that if I lean over for a long time the scar tend to give me a bit of discomfort. Also at other time it feels as though the skin around the scar has tightened. Twisting and stretching (not too active) helps ease the problem a little.

Are there any creams that can be rubbed into the skin/scar to help ease the tightening.

2 weeks ago came back from a Cub Camp (camping), great weekend without too many problems. Still getting on with life, with the odd ups and downs, best regards to all who are further on than me and to those who have just had the op, life does get better, take one day and one step at a time.

Mick.

[Hidden]

The gentle stretching might be the best thing. You might notice it more when you are being extra active.

Well done for picking up the good things in life again!

[gutlesswonder]

Not sure which Op you had --left side presumably you can reach it yourself but if right/rear you will have to enlist help.

Try massage [gentle at first increasing according to what you can tolerate] with this emollient cream -

CETRABEN --available at Boots £10 for 500 gms pump dispenser. It is non-perfumed, not too greasy and has a pleasant softening action.

It will improve the normalisation of scar tissue but do remember that much of what you experience is in inter-costal (between the ribs) tissue too deep to be reached by anything on the external surface.

Time and gentle exercise will do wonders - at about 5 yrs post-op I was back doing press-ups and pull-ups .

[Mick in reply to gutlesswonder]

Thanks for the reply, my op was on the right side, with keyhole surgery at the front.

Gave up on press-ups and pull ups when I left the Army in `86, but still did some training/execises until 2009 when I retired at 55, now prefer taking life easy, ie a gentle stroll or a bit of gardening.

Seems like the answer to most of the problems are time, patience and gentle exercise.

[gutlesswonder]

A cautionary tale -----

I was 47 at the time of my Ivor Lewis in 1991,relatively young, fit and able to get back in shape within a few years.

When I had a second rendezvous with the Big C eighteen years later in 2009, aged 65 it was only because I was so fit that the medics were able to offer me a repeat of the same right-side Thoracotomy procedure.

On that occasion I came home minus a lung and a couple of ribs - which has indeed put paid to the pull-ups etc.

So now I am relying on ballroom dancing to do the biz, in the event of a third go-round !