incision questions

When I was 5 years old I had to have an emergency appendectomy. To this day my scar is horrible. It is a half inch wide and raised and very puckered. There are even two rows of suture holes visible as scars on either side. I have also had three full laparotomies (all of them bikini incisions, but one with an extra small incision to the left) and 5 laparoscopies. My abdomen looks like a road map with all the scars. The bikini scars are bad, but not as bad as the appendectomy scar. The oncologist said his best bet to remove my uterus, the one remaining ovary, and the extensive adhesions and scarring he will want to do a vertical incision, very possible starting above my belly button.

I have two questions. For the ladies who have had both types, did one type scar worse than the other? I scar very, very easily and I guess I just don't want one more bad scar. I burst into tears when I saw my stomach in the photo dh took of me in my bikini. Seeing it in a photo is just so different than looking at it in the mirror. It looks awful! I don't want more horrible scars. And does anyone know the feasibility of him cutting out the bad appendectomy scar and doing it that way so I might get the really bad scar turned into a less bad scar and avoid getting a new one? Am I just being unrealistic?

Thank you to anyone who can help or share experiences.

s

Hi Lost,

My suggestion would be for you to ask your doc and if you need to check into the possibility of having a plastic surgeon on hand to do the closing tiddy work. They are very skilled in "fixing" unsightly" scars and what not.

I honestly hope everything works out for you.

s

Donna

oh, lostincanada,

I feel terrible for you. You have already been through your fair share.

The only thing I can tell you about the scarring is one, my 23 staples did not leave the dotted tracks on either side. Two I have been using Mederma on the scar and it is better. Just a slight pucker but getting better all the time. And three, massage, massage, massage your scar!!! It will make it flatter and less noticeable. Just a gentle circular motion many times a day.

The bright side is this is the last time.



Miss Kitty