Post-op scar healing / closing surgical incisions

Aaron Walker10: This scar of mine takes a heavy toll on me too. Honestly, the moment I catch a glimpse of it, this entire mosaic of memories hits me all at once—things I didn't even fully grasp while I was surviving in that hospital. Those invasive, uncomfortable vaginal exams, the ultrasound, all those strangers hovering around me... some hideous hospital gowns. There were nights I spent alone in a dark room, just watching ships sail into the harbor, completely solitary and abandoned.
I also had to rush into surgery. One workday, I saw the doctor after my shift, ended up admitted ten days later, and was in the OR within two days. You wake up feeling like a stranger to yourself. And you're never the same again.
I understand what you're going through.

ruggedscout91 said:Aaron Walker10: This scar of mine takes a heavy toll on me too. Honestly, the moment I catch a glimpse of it, this entire mosaic of memories hits me all at once—things I didn't even fully grasp while I was surviving in that hospital. Those invasive, uncomfortable vaginal exams, the ultrasound, all those strangers hovering around me... some hideous hospital gowns. There were nights I spent alone in a dark room, just watching ships sail into the harbor, completely solitary and abandoned.
I also had to rush into surgery. One workday, I saw the doctor after my shift, ended up admitted ten days later, and was in the OR within two days. You wake up feeling like a stranger to yourself. And you're never the same again.
I understand what you're going through.

That’s exactly it. When I was first diagnosed with a tumor, my very first thought wasn't about the illness itself—it was about how I was going to end up with another massive scar. Now, everything comes rushing back: the oncology treatments, seeing all those other patients fighting the exact same battle. Even just showering and catching a glimpse of it makes me feel uneasy. To make matters worse, I’m only 16, still in high school. When one of my friends puts a hand on my shoulder and feels the texture of the scar, most of them react with this subtle sense of recoil... it's subtle, but you can definitely feel it.😢

The only thing that actually works for serious scarring is those silicone sheets. You usually have to order them through a pharmacy.
I'm not talking about the silicone gels they try to upsell you on—I mean actual sheets.

Anything else, especially Contratubex, is just a total waste of money. If you're going to throw cash away, just buy the sheets; I swear by them. The only catch is you have to wear them for 12 hours a day, every single day, for a month. But trust me, it's worth it!

How can you be so sure? Is this based on actual experience? And what exactly makes them so special?

Jonathan Perez88 said:How can you be so sure? Is this based on actual experience? And what exactly makes them so special?

Exactly. And will they actually do anything eight months post-op? What’s the damage on price?

So, a close friend of mine went through the exact same surgery on her leg. She actually had to deal with skin grafts multiple times, too. Her doctor told her she needs to be super consistent about massaging the area with olive oil—or even better, St. John's Wort oil. And I mean *real* homemade stuff if anyone can find someone to make it for her, not that processed junk you grab at a Walgreens. She’s been doing this for ages now, and honestly, you can see a difference; the scars are way less intense than they used to be. So, if anyone is looking for something to try, 🤷the skin there is actually feeling a lot softer than it was before

Sodermix is incredible! I’m so glad someone pointed me toward it. After shoulder surgery (thanks to a skiing accident), I was left with this ugly, massive scar. Since I started being diligent about applying Sodermix twice a day, all I can say is: "IT WORKS."

For those of you who have actually gone under the knife:
1. Was there any actual opportunity to discuss the specific technique they’d use to close the incision?
2. What kind of aftercare options were on the table? (Think Steri-Strips, silicone sheeting, subdermal sutures, compression garments, etc.)
3. Is it even realistic to request that the plastic surgeon handles the closure themselves?

Alexander Lewis said:For those of you who have actually gone under the knife:
1. Was there any actual opportunity to discuss the specific technique they’d use to close the incision?
2. What kind of aftercare options were on the table? (Think Steri-Strips, silicone sheeting, subdermal sutures, compression garments, etc.)
3. Is it even realistic to request that the plastic surgeon handles the closure themselves?

1. No.
2. N/A.
3. No, that’s just not realistic given how short-staffed surgeons are everywhere right now. You wouldn't even have time to negotiate the details of the procedure.
Every surgeon is supposed to be properly trained to close an incision correctly.
About six years ago, I had laparoscopic surgery performed by my OB-GYN, and those incisions were closed with sutures. Today, they're practically invisible.
When I had an emergency delivery at the hospital, frankly, the way they handled the incision wasn't exactly top-tier. The stitches weren't visible, and I suspect they just glued the external cut shut. It was done by a resident, and even after seven months, parts of it are barely noticeable anymore.

Angela Wright said:1. No.
2. N/A.
3. No, that’s just not realistic given how short-staffed surgeons are everywhere right now. You wouldn't even have time to negotiate the details of the procedure.
Every surgeon is supposed to be properly trained to close an incision correctly.
About six years ago, I had laparoscopic surgery performed by my OB-GYN, and those incisions were closed with sutures. Today, they're practically invisible.
When I had an emergency delivery at the hospital, frankly, the way they handled the incision wasn't exactly top-tier. The stitches weren't visible, and I suspect they just glued the external cut shut. It was done by a resident, and even after seven months, parts of it are barely noticeable anymore.

1. and 2. Sad.😢
They’d get there if patients actually had the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies, but that’s a grim thought, isn't it?

I wonder if it would work if someone offered to pay for a plastic surgeon out of pocket. But I assume that given how things operate in the US healthcare system, that would only happen under the table—basically, they'd suggest a follow-up revision for the scar later. So first, someone patches you up poorly, and then you have to go back under anesthesia.

FYI: I know of a case where a girl was arranging for a plastic surgeon to close her incision specifically because she was a model and needed the scar to be as invisible as possible for her career.

Angela Wright said:1. No.
2. N/A.
3. No, that’s just not realistic given how short-staffed surgeons are everywhere right now. You wouldn't even have time to negotiate the details of the procedure.
Every surgeon is supposed to be properly trained to close an incision correctly.
About six years ago, I had laparoscopic surgery performed by my OB-GYN, and those incisions were closed with sutures. Today, they're practically invisible.
When I had an emergency delivery at the hospital, frankly, the way they handled the incision wasn't exactly top-tier. The stitches weren't visible, and I suspect they just glued the external cut shut. It was done by a resident, and even after seven months, parts of it are barely noticeable anymore.

Classic doctor talk. What does "properly" even mean? To some, it just means the wound is closed and doesn't get infected; the aesthetic outcome isn't even a factor. Some people will take a successful closure and lack of infection as the absolute bare minimum, while knowing full well that the cosmetic details weren't even considered.

I remember a story about a friend who came over from Canada to volunteer for a bit, and she ended up stitching her own incision after surgery. She was stitching it the way they taught her back in Canada, until the head surgeon told her to space the stitches further apart because the surgery was running long and he needed to grab a coffee.

Well, I suppose I should share my own experience with you all.
I had my thyroid removed about six weeks ago.
The mass was quite large, which meant the incision ended up being twice the size of a standard one.
Since I'm still young, the cut is right in the center of my neck, so there hasn't been any sagging yet.
However, the stitching was excellent. They closed it up inside and out, perfectly tucked into a natural neck crease, making it almost invisible.
I've been strictly using calendula oil and giving it a light massage.
It is nearly the same color as my skin; you can just barely see a faint reddish line, and it's only slightly raised.
In my opinion, it doesn't seem normal if someone's incision is still purple and raised two months after surgery.
There you have it...

I was wondering if anyone might offer some guidance; back in 2011, I underwent an appendectomy, which isn't exactly a major ordeal, I realize, but I am facing a persistent issue regarding the incision site... The scar simply refuses to heal properly, remaining stubbornly red and somewhat raised, as if it can't quite find its way to normalcy, and since I know exactly how a scar should look after all this time, what am I supposed to do? Should I perhaps have a doctor take a look at it?

Here’s my scar after my appendix surgery

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/rezj.jpg/

The part near my stomach is what bugs me most. It’s over an inch wide and almost an inch long (the photo doesn't show the full length because of the angle). Is this ever going to shrink down, or is it stuck like this forever?

Is it even normal that they used stitches spaced out every 3 cm for a cut this long? Honestly, I feel like it would’ve healed way better if the stitches were closer together. On the widest part at the top, there was literally just one single stitch holding the whole thing, so obviously the wound just gaped open and "healed" by growing that weird raised tissue instead of the skin actually meeting up properly.😢

While I was in the hospital, I had these two plastic plates (about the size of a large Band-Aid) taped to both sides of the incision. They had these cables tied to them that went right through my abdomen to keep everything tight. When I asked about it, they told me if they didn't use them, the stitches wouldn't be able to hold such a long incision and my whole midsection would just pop open.

Anyway, it's been 8 months since the surgery and the whole scar is super hard and stiff—it feels like I have a metal rod running down my belly. If I lean forward, the top part stabs right into my stomach.😢
I've been using Contractubex, but nothing really happens; it just faded a tiny bit.🤷
Will it ever soften up?

So, I had this little bump on my hand—went to see a general surgeon back on July 7th to get it taken care of... they finally removed the skin tags yesterday, and this is what the "wound" looks like right now


Is this pretty standard for being 9 days post-op? Do you think it’ll fade out in a month or so, and will those little stitch marks eventually "fill in and smooth out" with the rest of my skin? 🙂

thanks!

So, did they say anything to you when they were taking the stitches out? I mean, they usually point it out if things aren't looking right. To me, it looks a little inflamed. 🤷

Has anyone here actually dealt with a scar from a pilonidal sinus surgery? You know, that whole tailbone mess? They left my wound open to heal on its own, and yeah, it finally closed up completely, but now I'm stuck wondering what on earth I should be rubbing on it to make sure this scar doesn't look like a total disaster... Any ideas?🙂

From everything I've been digging up on various forums lately, I was thinking about sticking with Contractubex and maybe some St. John's Wort oil, and then potentially throwing some silicone Dermatix into the mix down the road..

Ryan Lopez9 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with a scar from a pilonidal sinus surgery? You know, that whole tailbone mess? They left my wound open to heal on its own, and yeah, it finally closed up completely, but now I'm stuck wondering what on earth I should be rubbing on it to make sure this scar doesn't look like a total disaster... Any ideas?🙂

From everything I've been digging up on various forums lately, I was thinking about sticking with Contractubex and maybe some St. John's Wort oil, and then potentially throwing some silicone Dermatix into the mix down the road..

I didn't actually use anything on mine—honestly, my best advice would be to let it get some air (avoid keeping a bandage over the scar) once the stitches are out. For a while after the procedure, I just cleaned out the drainage site with hydrogen peroxide and saline solution, and that was pretty much it. It healed up perfectly fine. Now, St. John's Wort won't hurt you, but as for the other stuff, I can't say for sure.

Has anyone here dealt with a wound reopening after surgery? I had surgery on my leg about a month ago, and everything seemed to be progressing fine, except for that very first stitch which felt way too tight. Once they pulled the sutures out (after 17 days), the wound split open right at that initial stitch site—the rest of it stayed intact. Since then, I’ve been sent back to the surgical department multiple times, but only for routine check-ups. Now, I’m stuck with this large, circular black scab right where it split, and the area is actually lower than the surrounding skin. The doctors keep insisting everything is fine because it's dry and there's no inflammation, but they admit I’ll be left with an ugly scar. To me, it looks like I’m going to end up with a permanent crater in my leg at best. What makes it even more frustrating is how all the medical technicians go dead silent the moment they see the wound; they just stare at the doctor with these "what on earth is happening" looks on their faces. Has anyone else gone through something like this? 😢

Jamie Morris86 said:I didn't actually use anything on mine—honestly, my best advice would be to let it get some air (avoid keeping a bandage over the scar) once the stitches are out. For a while after the procedure, I just cleaned out the drainage site with hydrogen peroxide and saline solution, and that was pretty much it. It healed up perfectly fine. Now, St. John's Wort won't hurt you, but as for the other stuff, I can't say for sure.

There weren't even any stitches or a drain in my case; they just left the wound open to heal on its own, which is basically the standard procedure for a pilonidal cyst these days... 🙂

So, what color is the scar looking like now? Did it fade completely until it matched the rest of your skin? And how long did it actually take for the actual scarring process to finish—like, how long until the color finally leveled out?

Michelle Sullivan3 said:Here’s my scar after my appendix surgery

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/rezj.jpg/

The part near my stomach is what bugs me most. It’s over an inch wide and almost an inch long (the photo doesn't show the full length because of the angle). Is this ever going to shrink down, or is it stuck like this forever?

Is it even normal that they used stitches spaced out every 3 cm for a cut this long? Honestly, I feel like it would’ve healed way better if the stitches were closer together. On the widest part at the top, there was literally just one single stitch holding the whole thing, so obviously the wound just gaped open and "healed" by growing that weird raised tissue instead of the skin actually meeting up properly.😢

While I was in the hospital, I had these two plastic plates (about the size of a large Band-Aid) taped to both sides of the incision. They had these cables tied to them that went right through my abdomen to keep everything tight. When I asked about it, they told me if they didn't use them, the stitches wouldn't be able to hold such a long incision and my whole midsection would just pop open.

Anyway, it's been 8 months since the surgery and the whole scar is super hard and stiff—it feels like I have a metal rod running down my belly. If I lean forward, the top part stabs right into my stomach.😢
I've been using Contractubex, but nothing really happens; it just faded a tiny bit.🤷
Will it ever soften up?

Hi there,
I also had my appendix removed about a month ago. My scar isn't even remotely like yours; I don't know exactly what they did during your procedure, but in my opinion, this doesn't look right. How long has it been since your surgery? My scar is only about 1.5 inches long.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zqtmjgoqcq...907_200731.jpg