Post-op scar healing / closing surgical incisions

Ryan Lopez9 said: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?

My sinus was a bit larger (in terms of size and everything), so they actually stitched part of my area. The color sits somewhere between pink and my natural skin tone. It took me about two months to reach a full recovery. I actually tried getting back to work after just one month, but honestly? It just wasn't happening yet.

Jamie Morris86 said:My sinus was a bit larger (in terms of size and everything), so they actually stitched part of my area. The color sits somewhere between pink and my natural skin tone. It took me about two months to reach a full recovery. I actually tried getting back to work after just one month, but honestly? It just wasn't happening yet.

Thanks. 😉

Look, if the color is sitting somewhere between pink and your natural skin tone, that's totally fine... 🙂 The real thing is that it doesn't stay that angry, dark red shade it's got right now while the wound is still freshly healed.. 🙂

I mean, unless you're a professional male underwear model being photographed exclusively from behind—and even then, if your girlfriend isn't there to witness it—who is actually going to see it? 🙂

Jamie Morris86 said:I mean, unless you're a professional male underwear model being photographed exclusively from behind—and even then, if your girlfriend isn't there to witness it—who is actually going to see it? 🙂

Anyway, I'm gay, so whatever...😁

But honestly, I think it’ll turn out fine; the wound is right in that crack between the cheeks and it's healed up pretty well, I just hope the color fades enough so it actually matches the rest of my skin...🙂

Can someone help me out here? I just had a mole surgically removed, and since the second day, I’ve been slathering on Betrion ointment every single day. On day 4, the scab actually fell off, and now I'm low-key freaking out. It looks like a scab, but it's gone—is this totally normal?

Hey

Two weeks ago, I had surgery to remove a lump on my hand. I’ve been heading back to my local clinic every couple of days for dressing changes, and I was supposed to get the stitches out today. But a few days ago, the area around the wound started swelling up. My doctor drained it a bit—some pus mixed with blood came out—and sent me straight to a surgeon. The surgeon basically told me it’s nothing to worry about. Also, because the bandage around my arm was too tight, my circulation was shot and my palm turned purple. The surgeon just ripped off the old bandage, slapped on some surgical tape, and told me to check back Monday.

Here’s the deal: can I just change this bandage myself if I pick up some supplies, or should I head back to my primary care doctor? And does the wound actually need more cleaning? At the clinic, they were rinsing it with saline and applying ointment, but the surgeon just taped it shut. I need to know if I can handle this on my own or if I should swing by the doctor tomorrow to make sure things don't go south.

Greetings to everyone...
Alright, I’ve gathered some more "material" to add a little extra flavor to this discussion.
So, here’s how things stand...
Back in 2011, I was rushed straight into the operating room by emergency responders. An ulcer in my duodenum had perforated, making things quite critical. To fix it, the surgeons made a midline incision right down the center of my abdomen, passing through the navel, stretching about 8 inches long. Unfortunately, given how much of a mess my health situation was at the time—which only got more complicated as things unfolded—I didn't think to snap any photos of that "masterpiece," so I don't have any visual evidence to show for it now. While I hold nothing but the deepest respect for the surgeons who quite literally saved my life, looking at the way they patched me back up afterward, it’s an undeniable fact that they possess absolutely no sense of aesthetics. To put it mildly.
Four years down the line—after a dedicated routine of daily massages and experimenting with various topical treatments—that surgical incision still sits there, measuring a solid two centimeters wide at its thickest point. And if you factor in the surrounding scarring from the sutures themselves, the whole thing stretches out to a good five centimeters...!!!
And then, the inevitable happened—my post-op ventral hernia decided to "leak" through. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t claim to be an expert on hernias, but from what I gather, there are about five different types, and this particular one seems to be the most stubborn and difficult one to fix.
And just like that, I found myself back under the surgeon's knife.
During that procedure, they made the same incision, starting from the navel and running upward, measuring about four inches in length.
If you want to see exactly how the repair turned out, this link really says it all better than I ever could:
Just a quick heads-up: I should probably mention that the photo might be a bit much for some people. If you have a weak stomach or don't do well with graphic images, you might want to skip this one...

[Image Link]

As time passes, everything seems to have healed over, but...
I’m left with this sort of "trench" right in the middle of my abdomen—if I had to eyeball it, it sits about three-quarters of an inch below the skin's surface. As for how the scar actually looks, I think the visual aesthetics speak for themselves.
Since I’m a hopeless optimist by nature, I’ve actually gone ahead and nicknamed my own little scar the "Grand Canyon."

Maybe I wouldn't be so incredibly bothered by how I look if it weren't for the practical headaches this causes. Honestly, if I were to eat nothing more than a single cookie, my stomach would bloat so aggressively you'd think I was about to go into labor. On top of that, I’ve been dealing with several other health issues lately that I can now logically trace back to some pretty amateurish, poorly executed stitching on my surgical wound. But we can save those specific grievances for another time.

And there it is...
The day finally arrived when, faced with a mounting pile of side effects and physical discomfort, I started giving some serious thought to booking a consultation with a plastic surgeon.
I toured a few different facilities, but in the end—given that I'm considered a high-risk patient due to some other health issues—I decided to have the procedure done at a top-tier clinic in Chicago, fully covered by Medicare.

I’ve finally settled on one particular top-tier plastic surgeon that I’d love to give a shout-out to here, though I’m a bit unsure about the rules regarding self-promotion or referrals. If anyone is looking for a recommendation and wants to know who they are, just shoot me a private message. It would be my genuine pleasure to pass along his details.

He’s a man of few words, but he certainly gets things done. After examining my scar, he decided a revision was necessary and immediately offered me an appointment—for just one month from now, no less! Naturally, I jumped at the chance.
I finished up all my pre-op testing, showed up at the hospital right when I was scheduled, and honestly, the staff handled everything with such precision that I’d go so far as to say it was seamless.

To put it simply, he managed to smooth out the entire old scar. Based on what he told me, it was quite wide, but he did an incredible job rehabilitating my "Grand Canyon," leaving me with a perfectly normal "floor plan" on my stomach once again. There aren't any hills or valleys anymore; everything is just nice and flat now.
The incision is exactly seven days old now, and this is how it looks:
(Just a quick heads-up for anyone scrolling by: you might want to look away if you're easily unsettled by certain imagery...)

I can't quite make out what's happening in this image—it looks like the link might be broken or the file isn't loading properly on my end. If you were trying to show me something specific, could you try uploading it again?

I really regret only telling my plastic surgeon that I wanted a flat stomach before the surgery. I completely failed to mention that I also wanted him to address those unsightly scar remnants from my old incisions; though, looking back, I wonder if there would have even been enough skin left to work with for something like that.

The bottom line...
I’m honestly thrilled with how everything turned out. Even though the area is still quite fresh, I feel like the issues I was dealing with before the procedure have completely vanished. Because of that, I'm not even losing sleep over the fact that the scarring has started to hypertrophy slightly in a few spots. At the end of the day, my main priority was achieving a flat stomach, and that's exactly what happened. It's actually quite a relief to see that even the remnants of my old surgical scars look about half their original length now.
The incision was closed up using surgical strips on the outside and some thin surgical adhesive on the inside. It’s healing quite beautifully so far, and I’m optimistic that the final aesthetic will be much more subtle than what I was dealing with before.
As soon as I was discharged from the hospital, I went on a bit of a shopping spree for supplies—stocking up on aloe vera, calendula ointment, Gavezov ointment, castor oil, baking soda, cocoa butter, coconut oil, Vitamin E, and honestly, probably a few other things too...
I have an appointment tomorrow to get my stitches removed, so I plan to ask the doctor if there are any additional cosmetic procedures to "touch up" the area... if not right away, then perhaps in a few months.
Once those stitches are out, I’ll really start my regimen, using baking soda peels alongside thick layers of all those ointments I mentioned...
I suppose I'll have to wait a full year to see what the ultimate result looks like, and I'll be sure to update you all then.
In the meantime, to my fellow travelers on this journey through scar tissue: I truly hope you all find relief and see these marks fade as quickly as possible.

P.S. Oh, one more thing... For anyone searching for the perfect scar treatment, I highly recommend applying a thick layer of natural honey, covering it with sterile gauze, wrapping it securely, and letting it work its magic overnight. Repeat this whenever you can. I'm actually on the hunt for high-quality, pure natural honey right now, so if anyone knows where to find the good stuff, please let me know.

I managed to carve out a little bit of time this Sunday morning to share some recent updates with you all, mostly because I am feeling genuinely thrilled with how my post-op recovery is progressing. It felt almost wrong to keep this level of enthusiasm to myself rather than sharing it with the community... 🎉
So, I dropped by to see my favorite plastic surgeon this past Friday. Dr. Smith.
While I was there, I received my discharge papers, and I have to admit, I was quite taken aback when I read that during the procedure—specifically while making the incision down to the hernia sac—he actually spotted a defect in it. In other words, it seems last year's ventral hernia repair wasn't exactly performed with the highest level of precision...
By utilizing the existing scar tissue, my surgeon was able to perform a correction at the same time. And, naturally, thanks to his quick thinking, the issues that forced me back under the knife in the first place have been completely resolved.
In short, he didn't just significantly improve the appearance of my midsection; he also fixed a nasty underlying issue that could have spiraled into something much more serious over time.
As for the healing of the surgical wound itself, I am honestly stunned by my own body's capacity for regeneration.
Now, if you're wondering why...
I believe three main factors played a role here:
1. Having a highly skilled and capable surgeon at the helm.
2. Treating the surgical site properly from day one (consistent hygiene and disinfection).
3. Diligent daily care (everything mentioned above, plus regular massage and using natural remedies).

Finally, here is a photo of the scar taken ten days after the surgery, which was just last night. If things continue to heal at this rate, it will likely be virtually invisible within five or six months.

http://i63.tinypic.com/taq79h.jpg

So, what exactly is their process for leveling things out????

Andrew Peterson2 said:So, what exactly is their process for leveling things out????

Well... I don't know. I was asleep, so I missed that part... 😁
You’d probably have to ask a plastic surgeon about that.

Based on what my discharge papers tell me, the way I see it, wounds are stitched in layers. On top of the technical knowledge required, it’s clearly a matter of surgical skill and an eye for aesthetics—that certain "feel" in the fingers holding the scalpel, all built through years of practice and experience.

In any case, if you want to be at the top of the game when it comes to patching people up, you have to be number one: naturally gifted, and then spend your entire life refining that gift through constant study and hard work.

But hey, unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for everything...
...especially here in our beautiful country...
...where you see mechanics trying to touch up car paint jobs...
...and doctors working as janitors...
...while the highly trained and talented are stuck looking for work at the unemployment office...

The first thing that popped into my head when I woke up from anesthesia back in 2011 and saw my scar was wondering why the guy who patched me up didn't just wake me up so I could do it myself... 🤔
Since I consider myself quite the expert at needlework, 🙂 I’m fairly certain I could have smoothed over my own skin better than he did. ☕

For those curious about how I manage this scar of mine, here is my routine:

1. An essential morning shower involving an energetic exfoliation with baking soda. Just be careful not to cause abrasions. Don't go too rough; keep it gentle. I find it works best if I just use my palms, without any washcloths, cotton pads, or sponges. That’s been the most effective method for me.
2. After the shower, massage in some aloe vera until it’s fully absorbed.
3. Next comes massaging in carrot juice. Sometimes I grate it to get the juice, and other times I just peel a carrot and massage it directly against the skin. BTW, you can eat the carrot afterward. 🙂 You can never have too much Vitamin A... it makes for a great breakfast. 😁
4. To prevent the carrot from staining my clothes, I follow up with a bit of castor oil.

Throughout the day, I massage in lemon juice followed by coconut oil a few times. I use the pad of my thumb. I do it with one hand until it starts to ache, then switch to the other. In every direction imaginable: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, circular...

In the afternoon, I apply a paste made in a food processor from a red onion bulb and 5-6 large cloves of garlic. I let the scar soak up the moisture, rinse off the residue, and then massage in some cocoa butter to neutralize any lingering scents—plus, it’s fantastic for scars.

In the evening, it’s another shower, more baking soda exfoliation, a honey massage (BTW, I finally managed to track some down), and then more castor oil. I would use St. John's Wort oil too, but I haven't been able to find the specific kind I want yet.

Of course, you can also take the honey, coconut oil, cocoa butter, or castor oil and wrap them around the scar as a compress overnight.

So... that's my process, and it definitely works.

Oh, right... I forgot to mention that I also snack heavily on almonds and Kikos (the ones packed with Vitamin E).🙂

And yes...
I hope you’ve gathered from my previous points that CONSISTENT massage is absolutely the most critical factor here. So, there it is... If anyone actually wants to get rid of a scar, they’ll need to be incredibly persistent and stubborn about it. It's a long game.

Mixing St. John's Wort oil with Gavez works wonders...

placidtinker39 said:Mixing St. John's Wort oil with Gavez works wonders...

Well, yeah... I neglected to mention that I also massage in some calendula and Gavez ointment. To be honest, the Gavez stuff has this scent reminiscent of horse manure that I’m not particularly fond of, but during those first few days, when paired with castor oil, it proved to be quite effective in my experience.

Here I am again, checking in with some fresh updates...
So, today marks exactly four weeks since my surgery—day 28 on the clock.
My routine has been pretty relentless: morning and evening exfoliation with baking soda, massaging with honey while soaking in the tub, followed by applications of lemon juice and an onion-garlic paste (though I’ve been a bit lax with the carrot juice lately). For the "final" step, I’ve been combining Esi Aloe Vera gel with a rotating selection of ointments—whatever happens to be within arm's reach—including Gavez ointment, castor oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and calendula salve. I also occasionally use honey as a mask. So far, here is what I have achieved:

http://i65.tinypic.com/642r8n.jpg

The photo was taken this morning.

I happened to pass by a pharmacy this morning and picked up some St. John's Wort oil (Subanovo) and Cybele Scagel, which I immediately added to my massage regimen as soon as I got home.

Now, after 28 days of dedicated massage and exfoliation, here is my take...

1. Baking Soda — I am NOT giving up on the exfoliation. It cleanses the skin perfectly and preps it for everything else. One thing to note, though: there are different types of baking soda with varying grain sizes. The kind I grabbed at Bio-bio is much finer than the stuff you find at Walgreens. Both work fine for me, but everyone’s skin is different, so choose what suits you. Also, don't panic if a little watery bump appears during the scrub; it's just a normal reaction and clears up quickly. For context, I’ve used baking soda to exfoliate my entire body—including my face once a week—for years, and at 51, my skin is perfect and wrinkle-free. So... 🙂

2. HONEY — This has been a total game-changer for me. I always massage it in while in the bath (to avoid getting too sticky) right after the baking soda scrub. Sometimes I'll apply it directly to the scar during the day and let it sit, being careful not to let it drip everywhere. Usually, I do this while sipping coffee. Naturally, I'm naked at the time... 😁 and I'll occasionally dab the honey onto the scar with my finger. I end up licking my finger, of course. 🙂 Don't worry about it being messy; it washes off easily. As far as the scar goes, it fades it quite rapidly—almost before your eyes. I’ve tried applying a thick layer, covering it with a paper towel, wrapping myself in plastic wrap, and sleeping through the night; the results were incredible. However, I have to admit, it isn't exactly practical or comfortable. Even when I wrap my whole midsection tightly in plastic, the honey somehow finds a way to leak out. It’s not a disaster since it all washes off, but sleeping like that isn't my idea of fun, so I usually stick to letting it dry on the scar while I enjoy my morning coffee...

3. Gavez Ointment — This deserves a permanent spot in my home medicine cabinet. Not only does it help the scar (softening it significantly), but it actually relieved the long-standing, painful arthritic bumps on my knuckles. All I did was massage the Gavez ointment into my palms while focusing on the scar on my abdomen. Those bumps and the pain simply vanished. Once I saw that happen, I started applying it to my hip where I was diagnosed with a labrum tear, and honestly, I can't believe the hip pain is gone too. I still watch my step, but mostly out of habit rather than necessity.

4. Lemon Juice — It’s great for lightening the scar. I highly recommend it.

5. Everything else I mentioned — I suspect everything in this list offers some level of benefit, so don't be afraid to experiment. Combine all these "potions," but above all, stay persistent and stubborn.

All in all, this photo shows the result of effective massage using these creams for at least 3 hours every single day. Without fail.

Anyway, that's all from me for today... Best wishes to everyone...

So, I ended up slicing my hand open with a hydraulic log splitter. It was pretty gnarly—went all the way from my index finger down to my thumb. I actually severed some tendons and even hit the bone in my thumb. I’ve been going through physical therapy lately, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about how the recovery is going overall. But there's this one spot on my thumb where this really hard tissue has formed, and I just can't seem to break it down or soften it up at all. I guess I was wondering if there's some kind of cream or maybe something else I could apply to help soften that tissue, or am I just stuck massaging it and waiting for it to eventually go away on its own?

Wait, hold on, that's actually some fresh scar tissue right there

Speaking of which, they actually took my stitches out. I guess I wouldn't be starting any physical therapy if everything hadn't healed up properly. But, man, right by my wrist—you know, that part leading down toward my hand—there’s this really hard tissue feeling inside.

I just realized I totally misread that part, like, it was actually a fresh connection with maybe something like 20 stitches

There isn’t much you can do about it. It was a pretty significant injury, and while the surgeon stitched you up, the tissue just healed the way it was going to heal.
It takes a certain amount of time—there’s no magic number since every injury and healing process is different—for things to finally "settle." You might see some improvement, or it might just shrink slightly or stay exactly as it is. Either way, there isn't any cream out there that's going to fix this...

Melissa Sanchez8 said:There isn’t much you can do about it. It was a pretty significant injury, and while the surgeon stitched you up, the tissue just healed the way it was going to heal.
It takes a certain amount of time—there’s no magic number since every injury and healing process is different—for things to finally "settle." You might see some improvement, or it might just shrink slightly or stay exactly as it is. Either way, there isn't any cream out there that's going to fix this...

Look, I dealt with this right after my surgery. At first, it was just hard to the touch, but then it turned all blotchy and red, and man, did it hurt for a while. I actually went to complain to my surgeon about it, and I think he told me it was some kind of keloid thing. He ended up prescribing me some Betamethasone cream plus antibiotics, and that finally cleared up the swelling.

Amy Johnson2 said:Look, I dealt with this right after my surgery. At first, it was just hard to the touch, but then it turned all blotchy and red, and man, did it hurt for a while. I actually went to complain to my surgeon about it, and I think he told me it was some kind of keloid thing. He ended up prescribing me some Betamethasone cream plus antibiotics, and that finally cleared up the swelling.

Usually, a keloid grows outside the actual edges of the wound or the stitches. It is red, sure, but I've never heard of one just vanishing like that.
Plus, you were on antibiotics... based on what you're describing, it sounds more like you had an infection.