How satisfied are you with your scars?

Turtletots

I  had my bilateral mastectomy with left snb two weeks ago. I know it could still be swollen, but the scars aren't as flat as I'd like them to be. There's a lot of puckering. I spent a lot of time talking to the surgeon about how important it was to me to have the best cosmetic outcome with no reconstruction. And it's pretty puffy in places. At my follow up she said that since my breasts were so large (G cups), and it was a bit complicated, so I guess it's not as flat as it could be. She said when the swelling goes down (not sure how long that takes), I can have a little revision. Sigh. i really wanted to avoid more surgery, but it is pretty important to me to be pretty flat and smooth. I want to get a big tattoo in 5 years after it's all healed, so I want it to look nice.

Anyway, how satisfied are you with your scars? Anyone had any nips or tucks to make it look better (no reconstruction)?

Erica3681

I asked my surgeon for the same thing -- the best cosmetic outcome possible. In my case, I did get a good result. I'm completely flat with symmetrical scars which have now faded to almost invisible (I had the bilateral mastectomy surgery in October, 2006). But I started with only B cup breasts. A revision is definitely doable and I've heard women who had a revision say they got the results they wanted. It's normally a very minor procedure, usually outpatient. Many women use a plastic surgeon for the procedure. I don't blame you for wanting to avoid more surgery, but this might be worth it to get the result you want.

Barbara

BreastFree.org

cornellalum

Turtletots - I had my surgery three months ago, and my scar was VERY puckered to start with.  I was not happy.  I had a large C/ small D cup.  My surgeon said that it was the sutures, and that as they dissolved, the scar would flatten out.  And it has!  It still has a spot or two that have a little pucker, but it is so much smoother than it was to start with.  My surgeon says that it takes at least six months for a bmx scar to "settle down."  So be patient.  It will probably get better.  And if it doesn't, like Barbara says, you can get some minor "fixing."  I am now happy with how the scar looks, and I am hoping that it gets even better in the next couple of months.

Erica3681

Hi Daisy,

I really never used anything on my scars. I try to keep my chest moisturized, especially the side that had radiation. The incisions were always thin, though very red at first, and have gradually faded. I'm glad you were able to get a good result, but it doesn't sound quite as easy as I would have thought.

Barbara

lovemygarden

Barbara, about how long did it take for the "angry redness" of the scars to start to fade? I'm only 3 months out, so obviously it's waaaaaay too early but am just curious.

 I didn't use anything on my scars either, because all those products (Mederma, etc) have a fragrance and I can only use 100% fragrance-free products.

Turtletots

So do you think I should be using some kind of compression for the puffy places? Around my armpits there are some bulky spots that the surgeon said are probably just fluid buildup from the surgery and should go away--would it be better if I wore some kind of compression like a cami or a bra or something? I've been most comfortable without anything on, but if it'll bring the swelling down faster, I'll do it.

cornellalum

I would ask your surgeon if a cami would help.  I didn't use anything that rubbed on my skin until about 6 weeks out.  It was just too uncomfortable.  I wore soft t-shirts.  I wouldn't wear anything tight unless your surgeon says it OK.  I did notice that swelling was worse at the end of the day.  Eventually, it went away.  You are just two weeks out.  I know you're impatient, but you need to give your body time to heal.

Erica3681

Turtletots,

Personally, I would just leave it alone. Most women have some fluid after surgery and it takes a while to dissipate. I had small seromas on each side. There's always a risk of infection if they're aspirated, so my surgeon only does that if the seromas are very large and painful. I left mine alone. The one on my non-radiated side suddenly disappeared about four weeks after surgery. On my radiated side, however, it took six months for it to mostly go away. But I was still left with a small pocket of fluid that took almost three years to finally disappear! About two years out, I tried some compression -- it was a big mistake for me. The pressure caused blood vessels to burst on my skin and I felt bruised, and it didn't help the fluid dissipate. What I believe did help was a Lebed exercise dvd that's meant for women with lymphedema. I don't have lymphedema, but I think it may have helped that area finally drain out. So, give it time, at least a couple of months. Hopefully, any fluid you have won't linger as long as mine, especially if you didn't have radiation.

lovemygarden,

Honestly, I can't remember when my scars faded. They were quite red for the first six months, better after a year, but still a bit red. Then I kind of stopped noticing. Not long ago my DH said something about how he can't see my scars anymore. That's when I realized they'd finally faded to white.

Barbara

Turtletots

I know, I just need to be patient. It's hard when you feel really good and you still can't do much, activity0wise. Then I want everything to look perfect when you're right, 2 weeks ago I was in surgery for 10 hours! I just gotta give myself a break.

starzhere

I have a nice scarline and had a 32 D breast removed.  Relatively speaking that's a large boob on a small chest.  I didn't have any puckering and had staples.  My only regret is not leaving the surgical tape on longer, because my scar did widen.  The longer you are able to leave the surgical tape on the incision line, the better the outcome of the scar.

3jaysmom

daisy6..ur the 1st person to talk about having surgery done on "dog ears". bums me out! i hate the one on the right, its really big. left side not so much, but the effect makes me look deformed. i've waited a year, theyre no better, surgery schedualed for july  6th . the bummer is having 2 get on my back again. i just switched beds round so i can FINALLY sleep on my right side. still have hematoma where port was on left side.... oh well, here we go again.  thanks for the info..any advise? i'll see ps be4 surgery..anything i should ask? pm me if u think of anyhting..light and love, 3jaysmom

NSWTD

At two weeks my surgeon didn't want me using anything on the scars except antibiotic cream.  I had right side MX with immediate reconstruction.  After about one month, he recommended putting A&D ointment on my scar. I think it has improved the look and feel of the scar. I go back for a 4 month appt in July.  We are planning my enhancement surgery, where he will clean up both scars (foob and abdominal), although I am thinking there will not be much clean up as most looks pretty good. I have a little dog ear thing going on on one side of my abs incision, but nothing a little lipo won't cure.  

 I have tried mederma on a skin cancer I had to have removed on my hand about 4 yrs ago.  You can barely tell I have a scar there, in fact, I have to show people both hands and point it out to them.   I used mederma on it for about 6 months.  

 I asked my PS about using any scar therapies and he didn't think they worked.  So, who knows.   He also said they should not hurt my incision either.  He said if I wanted, do one side with mederma and one with the A&D....but I didn't want to risk the two sides healing differently.  

 Good luck with yours. I was still swollen at 2 weeks so I wouldn't be concerned if your doctor is not.