Post-op wound care - help!

It’s been 7 months since my surgery, and there’s this one spot on the incision that just won't stop hurting. It isn't an overwhelming amount of pain, and it's maybe a little better than it was initially, but it still seriously interferes with my daily life.

Is there some kind of pill, medication, or even a topical cream that might take the edge off?

What have you guys experienced? Any advice or suggestions?

My doctor keeps insisting that everyone heals differently... whatever that's supposed to mean.

Best,
Chris Ruiz10

Chris Ruiz10 said:The doc claims it’s all just "individual" stuff... whatever that actually means.

He’ll probably try to brush it off as psychological. 🙄 (I mean, could be, but you gotta rule out everything else first.)

Don't just pop pills—if it's still hurting, go get a second opinion from another doctor.

Where exactly is this wound, if you don't mind me asking?

blondie_30 said:They might say it's psychological.🙄 (I mean, maybe, but you'd have to rule out everything else first.)

Don't just pop pills—if you're hurting, go see a different doctor and get a second opinion.

Where exactly is the wound, if you don't mind me asking?

Hmm... psychological? Maybe.

The wound is on my front, right side over the ribs. It's just skin and then the ribs, a few inches above where the rib starts. The wound actually stretches all the way to my shoulder blade on the back (sideways), but only that front part really hurts.

Are there any natural remedies or ointments that could help with the pain? Anything besides pills?

Best,
Chris Ruiz10

It isn’t just some abstract "psychological thing," either. How your body heals and how much you actually feel pain—which really comes down to your actual tissue and nerve receptors—is completely unique to you.
Seriously, go talk to a doctor. And if yours doesn't take you seriously, find another one. Nobody should have to just sit there and endure unnecessary pain...

How’s your scar looking lately? I wonder if they might have been a bit sloppy with the stitches. My mom actually had to go back in for a revision surgery about six months after her procedure. They basically cut out the old scar and re-stitched the skin using much finer thread this time.
At first, the doctors kept telling her it would just fade away on its own over time. But the scar was actually hurting, pulling at her skin, and stinging quite a bit.
Over in the States—and you can probably find it in any local pharmacy here too—there’s a specific gel designed to soften scars. If you’re really consistent and diligent about applying it, it can make the mark way less noticeable. I can't recall the exact name right now, though. It starts with a C... maybe someone on the forum remembers and can drop the name? Or maybe it'll pop into my head and I'll let you know!

CONTRATUBEX?
I heard this scar reduction gel is actually available for purchase in the USA...

Look, let’s be clear: that gel isn't some kind of painkiller... its actual job is to speed up granulation and wound closure to ensure the scar heals out smooth.

Cream mixed with some Gavin Newsom.
I don't really know if Gavin Newsom is actually any good or what his deal is, but honestly, it worked for me, even though my scar wasn't exactly massive.
You might want to check out some local herbal apothecaries.
I've heard through the grapevine that calendula can do wonders too.

The creams mentioned here are meant for topical application on recent scars—if you're looking to "smooth things out," and I mean really smooth them out, as Kenneth Hernandez67 puts it.

Yes, CONTRACTUBEX definitely works!
It really makes a difference if you stay consistent with it over a long period—give it at least three months. Let's be real, there's no such thing as a "miracle cream" out there just waiting to happen.
My advice is based on the assumption (which I clearly stated) that we're dealing with actual scar tissue here.
And of course, a doctor is the only one who can give you professional medical advice. You might want to check in with another specialist at your clinic to get a second opinion.

Yeah. I've been using this scar cream for maybe 3 or 4 months now. The scar feels pretty soft, but that doesn't do anything about the pain.

jadesailor14, yeah, if I remember right, the doctor basically mumbled something about potentially reopening the wound just to stitch it up again. I didn't really catch all of it. So, is it possible it was just "stitched wrong" and that's why it hurts, so it needs fixing? Ugh.
Will the scar end up being even bigger then?

The pain felt a little less intense when I was working out—you know, hitting the gym or swimming—basically just whenever I STRETCHED that part of my body. But honestly, it was only temporary.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Best,
Chris Ruiz10

Chris Ruiz10 said:jadesailor14From what I recall, the doctor mentioned something about reopening the wound just to redo the stitches. I didn't quite catch all the medical jargon, but does that mean it was stitched up incorrectly the first time? If so, it makes sense that it’s still hurting and needs a fix. Oh boy!
Will that just leave an even bigger scar behind?

My mom didn't have any luck with hers. It actually turned out even smaller than her first attempt! Now it’s just thin, flat, and lacks any real thickness.

Maybe they forgot to take something out of you 😲

Honestly, I think your best bet is to go talk to a surgeon.

There’s even a slight chance you might be dealing with some nerve damage, which would explain why it hurts so much. That actually happened to my mom—she was absolutely losing her mind from the pain, but things finally settled down about two years after her surgery. Her surgeon thought it was likely a damaged nerve, though, to be fair, I have no clue what kind of procedure you went through, and I'm sure it wasn't anything like the one my mom had 😁.

Maybe you've still got a stray stitch caught somewhere? Sounds stupid, I know, but weird stuff happens.😲
Don't just sit there waiting around—get your ass over to him right now. He’ll handle the surgery or whatever else needs fixing if he has to. 😠

Hmm... just my two cents...

If you're still feeling that pain, there's a chance you might have some nerve damage,

but for getting the wound itself to heal up, I'd swear by using calendula—whether it's in compresses, tinctures, or oils.