How satisfied are you with your scars?

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

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

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

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.

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.