Hi,

I just had major abdominal surgery and need advice on scar treatments. As soon as this 8" incision is healed, I want to get started. Has anyone found a product that works?

Thanks!

Nothing can make scars go away, sadly. But you could try some otc things like neosporin scar therapy strips (but they are $$).
Unfortunately scars are just that, scars.

Thanks! I saw the Curad brand but not the Neosporin. I'll have to check those out. I can live with the scar- it's actually along the same incision line I had from a previous surgery but, as it is healing, it is puckering quite a bit from the swelling. I'm sure I can find a bikini that will cover an 8" lateral incision on my lower abdomen whether I'd been caught dead in it is a whole other issue!

Your weight loss is inspirational - way to go!

I always heard that Vitamin E was good for scars. I have two pretty rad scars that run the length of my fore arm, so I thought I'd try the vitamin E thing. Turns out, a lot of people (including me) are allergic to Vitamin E!! So I don't know if that's something you'd want to try, but it could help with the coloration.

Ooh! I'd probably be allergic, too. I found out I was allergic to the steri-strips they used to close the incision... not good. I bought vitamin E for the first surgery and it was so sticky! It was also incredibly difficult to wash off. Thanks!

I am allergic to steri-strips too. I have reaaallly sensitive skin and I ended up having a whole line of blisters!
Vitamin E might be good for the skin-- but it is no cure.

You should ask your surgeon for some ideas on how to treat your scars. Mine said the scar therapy strips were the best that could be done.

My plastic surgeon recommended any body lotion with aloe or cocoa butter and I used gallons of Suave lotion with cocoa butter. He didn't believe that any of the scar treatments were effective. Massaging lotion in the scars (once they're healed - he said three weeks) helps to break up adhesions and helps them heal smoother. So massage with whatever you choose to use.

Keep in mind that scars go through a maturation process and will look worse before they look better. At about three or four months from surgery, they'll start looking redder and more obvious. Don't panic -- this is completely normal. The good news is that scars fade -- a lot!

I've been using regular Neosporin since I still have a little scabbing (surgery was 8/16). With the swelling, I can feel it pull at the incision and it stings. Yuck!

The Neosporin is working great! I highly recommend it for anyone with a recent incision! I'm certainly not bikini ready but everything is healing very well.

Just had to update this post: Neosporin + Pain Relief may be the greatest invention ever! It really helps minimize the pulling and itching while everything heals!