Scar Treatments

Have you tried anything and did it work well? I've done some research and don't find any evidence that onion extract (Mederma) works well but have found some studies on Dimethicone silicone gel but can't really find a product with just that in it or at least a strong concentration of it. I've read some positive reviews of the Neosporin Scar Solution but wondered what, if any, treatments anyone here has tried.

I have a tendency to develop keloid and hypertrophic scars so I'd like to start something early this this time too diminish if possible the scarring.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know if this will help but my surgery was open.  Dr. M has a plastic surgeon close you up, so no staples / exterior stitches.  He said that was why he wanted me to wear a binder for 3 months, to help with scarring.  My old scar was almost 1/2 inch wide with marks (think railroad tracks) where the staples were.  My new scar is a teeny thin white line.  I am not prone to keloids.  My mom is and burned her arm very badly (required skin grafts) and her doctor had her wear a tight elastic sleeve type thing on her arm while healing, she healed very well. Her Dr. also said that the compression sleeve would help with scarring and it did. 

My point, (finally) is you might consider a binder if it will help with scarring.  Check on the plastic surgery board for answers about the creams and lotions.

HTH,
Michele

You sound like me - my first scar was wide from my first two surgeries.  Dr B does plastic surgeon quality closers, and this one would have been beautiful if they hadn't just cut through the old one and left it!  Where I didn't have a previous scar, it looks great.  I didn't have to wear a compression garment, though - but I did for my plastic surgeries.

Wow...wish I would have known that. My scar is UGLY. Railroad tracks and itchy and drives me nuts, I look like a freakin autopsy was done on me. The wierd part, is that there are parts that scarred "nicely" it is a thin white line. But most of it looks like keloid tissue, if I was brave enough I would post a pic.

Aloe vera plant (the jelly inside the plant), Vitamin E gel caps (open them up and put the oil on the scar).  It worked for acne, haven't yet tried on my scar...."My scar is wide and long 12" long and 1/4" wide"  I don't think anything will hide the scar.

My staple marks are all gone (I can't see them any more!).  The incission scar is deep red, who knows what it will look like in a year.

I asked Dr. L to sew the incission so it would not leave a scar. but he said "no" I forget why he couldn't.  There is a way they can inject hormones and stiching inside.  I saw it on the TVDoctors in "march or April of 2009.

Keep us posted if you find some miricle cure!

My dermatologist recommended piercing a vitamin E capsule and applying it to the surgical area a couple times a day to minimize scarring from a procedure I had which covered a large area on my body.  I did this for a week or so as I recall.  It seemed to work well.  I usually get nasty scars but not the time I used the vitamin E.  It's inexpensive too.

Lisa

I get keliods, so I knew there was little hope for me.  Half of my open scar  keloided and the other half is barely noticeable without any extra effort.  One thing I can say, even without the keloid, there's no way in hell my flappy-slappy tummy skin will be bared publicly without some plastic surgery, which would remove the skin and the scar at the same time.

 Thanks for the replies everyone. My old scars you can see the places where the staples went in too so I know what you mean when you say railroad ties. :) Plus, the ones on my shoulder from another surgery are 1/2 red and 1/2 white; not sure what causes this.

I did hear good things about binders so I guess I might be trying one of those for a bit. I'm not going to be showing my tummy to anyone because I won't be wearing a 2 piece or anything but I will be somewhat embarrassed in front of my husband. He probably won't think anything of it but I know I will. I'll see what else I can find. Thanks everyone.

You may have some issues the first 3 months.  I didn't care if I had a scar... but 3 months out I was not happy with this "rail road track that went from my breast to inside my belly button".  It did bother me BUT.... 6 months out it no longer bothers me... I don't see it even though it is VERY CLEAR ---- I've got a major scar.  

Just to let you know.  You could have it DS done Laproscopically.... Not sure Dr L is qualified but many DSer has done it this way and was very successful.

Like Val said... With all the stretch marks, flabby loose skin no one is going to see that part of me.  (hubby and I are both DSers) we have twin scars.  

You make it out to be worse then it is.  Plastics will fix some of the scars.

Ask Dr. L if he does Lap. DS.  Then you will have 3 to 5 little slits instead of a massive scar.     

 Dr. L said he doesn't do it lap because he doesn't like the lack of control (prolly since I have a band that needs to come out). 

I don't mean to "make it out to be worse than what it is". I just know how terribly I scarred from previous surgeries and even though nobody else will have to see me since I won't be parading around in tiny swimsuits I do have to look at myself and if at all possible I'd rather not look like raggedy ann.

Obviously I won't not do the surgery due to this because my health is more important but if there's a way to minimize it, I sure want to do everything possible. Thanks for the feedback.