Scar Healing Question

[WayneGM]

I feel kind of weird about posting this but here goes anyway.....

When I had the emergency surgery to drain the fluid during my Pericardial Tamponade episode, the incision from that drain tube healed kind of funny.
As you can see from the photo it's quite big and puffy, and kind of "puckered", compared to the original tube & wire scars below it. It sort of looks like an "outie" belly button except much higher (just below the rib cage at the top of my "six pack"...that is if I had a "six pack ). The tissue feels quite hard and a little sensitive sometimes. My GP says that's the way it healed because it happens to be right in a crease in my body when I'm sitting, and it's nothing to be concerned about. Just wondering if anybody has had or seen anything like this and did they do anything about it.

 

[Ross]

Can't say that I have. I'd give it a couple months and if it's still ugly like that, see if a plastic surgeon can't do something with it.

 

[WayneGM]

Thanks for responding, Ross.

Apparently this doesn't appear to be very common (I suspected it wouldn't be). I think I'll raise it with my GP again next time I'm in and see if I can get referred to a specialist (plastic surgeon or whatever) to take a look at it. I could live with it, but it bugs me just because I know it's there and it doesn't seem "normal" compared to all my other brand new scars.

 

[marky]

sorry Wayne.. it seems that you have a bit of Keloid from that incision
Maybe some cortisone shots from the dermatologist would help?

My incision from the drain (both of them) is very tiny.. almost invisible.. but I have a small section of my OHS incision that got a bit of keloid..

Consider it a war wound.. and the medal of honor is the fact that you are here

 

[Ross]

Yes it looks Keloid and while you could live with it, it would bother the crap out of me too. I'd at least look into what may be done.

 

[Lotti]

Snap

Snap

I had the same bleeding problem (and no I'm not swearing) and one of my drain holes stitches came undone under the dressing. I had what looks a lot like your "bellybutton" except mine was a severe innie. I went to the wound specialist at the hospital and she gave me hydrocelloid dressings. They looked like skin patches and would wear one over the wound for a week at a time. Apparently what they did was reopen the wound and make it heal again. After the fourth day or so each time it would look really yucky through the dressing like it was turning into jelly. I went to the local nurse at my GP surgery each week to have it changed as I'm squemish, and after 4 weeks or so it was deemed healed. It is almost but not quite flat and triange in shape, not the neat lines that the other drain tube scars are. If I knew how to I'd post a picture for you.
Talk to someone as there may be something that can be done.

Lotti

 

[Marguerite53]

I like Lotti's idea. Tell your GP that you want to see a "wound care specialist" about it. Have them put whatever Lotti used, or ask about "silicone gel sheeting". I am currently waiting for a free sample (I think I'll progbably have to wait until my next valve replacement at this point it's taking the rep so dang long) of Mepiform which is a silicone bandage. I'm just not liking my 10 month old, mildly keloided surgery scar. If yours is bubbling up, the time to do something about it is now, not later. There are lots and lots of products out there for these things, but the GP's don't seem to know about them (or care). If he cannot send you to a wound care specialist then have him send you to a plastic surgeon. When I asked my surgeon about the silicone gel sheeting, and my bubbly scar, he pointed me to the plastic surgeon. When I went instead to my dermatologist, she injected me with cortisone (may I say...OUCH!! as in really, really ouch!) and for me, the one injection did not last or do very much....they like to shoot you up once a month for up to a year....very spendy. When I asked the dermatologist to get me some silicone gel sheeting, she said she didn't know anything much about it and to go to a plastic surgeon. I called the recommended plastic surgeon's office and the assistant said he'd be glad to set up a meeting to discuss the gel sheeting. Sounded expensive!

SO. I'd honestly try the wound care specialist first, since it's still somewhat healing. If what he/she does isn't going to work, then consult a plastic surgeon. That area of the body is notorious for keloiding. Oftentimes, even with the plastic surgery, the new scar brings on a keloid and you;re back to square one. Try the silicone gel sheeting (not just the lotions.......get a professional bandage)

GOOD LUCK! LEt us know.

One of these days I'll get my free sample, and a salesman to purchase some from. Let me know (PM) if you hit a dead end and maybe I can share my info with you.

Marguerite

 

[WayneGM]

Thanks Lotti and Marguerite. This sounds like good advice. I didn't there was such a thing as a "wound care specialist" so I'll ask specifically about seeing one. I like the idea of a drssing of some type as opposed to cortisone shots.