Visible scars with Davinci has me contemplating abdominal...

I'm only five weeks after surgery, and the glue has only just fallen off my DaVinci scars. They're smallish and I think I'll be able to wear a bikini again (not this year, probably). I've ordered some silicone sheets and I'm hoping the scars will fade a lot within the next few months. Until they arrive, I'm keeping the scars moisturized (I've heard it's important in reducing scar tissue).

I've never had surgery before -- or large scars. I was also worried about them, but seeing them now, I think I'll be OK with it.

I had daVinci and at almost 4 months post op my scars a barely visible. They are just small purplish lines and fade as each week passes. Immediately after surgery I was upset. I looked like a stab victim. I had 6 cuts, a few were almost 2 inches across. I had a lap surgery 8 weeks prior to my hyster, so had a few still unhealed scars from that too. The lap surgery scars can't even be seen now, barely a white line. I am certain my Davinci scars will look the same in a few more weeks. If you get a larger abdominal cut you run the risk of ending up with a bulging shelf above the scar that sometimes never goes away. I have read about them on here. I had an appendectomy over 20 years ago and have that bulge/shelf from that still.I don't think you can get that from davinci scars.

Interesting to read all of the different takes on DaVinci scarring! I have plus my belly button. The one incision that I thought would be the smallest and cleanest is the longest, still clean looking. I have one on my right side that for whatever reason wasn't brought together all the way, so it is the ugly one. The one in my belly button wouldn't be noticeable at all except for the color. I've been massaging the scars a bit everyday to reduce the hardness, but all of them are still very tender. I will try the vitamin E to see if that will help reduce them even more. They all still stand out at this point (5 weeks and 4 days) on my white belly-no sun exposure this summer!

I had the Da Vinci on 1/26/12, I had five sites that were glued and sutured. At first I thought I'd be scared for life, now 6 months later, I am wearing my two-piece at home and a tankini out. It really doesn't look bad, I'm just still insecure. I predict by next summer all will be good.

All of my lap scars are barely visa me. Heck, I can't really find them anymore. One of the keys to limited scarring is to not expose it to the sun! Always use sunscreen or cover the up. I will say this. The lack of external sutures cuts down on the scarring big time.

I think my experience may help you. I've had 3 c-sections and DvH, so I have the abdominal scar and the DvH scars. Between the 2 I'd take the tiny DvH hands down. I had my DvH in April, so mine are still purple, but they are tiny, smaller than my pinkie nail. But the biggest thing is they are flat and don't pucker. My abdominal scar is puckered. Skin and a little excess fat laps over the scar, creating an ugly tummy pooch that only a tummy tuck can fix. The scar may be so low that no one will see it, but the lumpy pucker is hard to hide and I have 3 friends that have had c-sections and they all have the same ugly pooch that laps over their c-section scar. The DvH scars are completely flat. You have to be close up to notice them.

Just as an added bonus, my DvH recovery was a dream compared to each of the c-sections.

Thanks ladies for all the input. My husband had robotic gallbladder and his scars are thin white lines. I'd say his are as successful as it gets...which is good for him ( hairy belly and gut). :-). My doc did say mine would be bigger (yes I made him show the doc! :-)). My friend just showed me her davinci scar from 2 months ago and it is thick and red and she only has one! She is not a bikini girl so she is very happy.
It's so hard not being able to see into the future!!! :-)

Sporty, I just got cleared to swim in my saltwater pool. I have not been able to swim since my surgery on the 8th of June. My doc said that the salt would help me in healing. I didn't associate it with the scars. I thought he meant physically. But I have to say, after being a fish all weekend in the pool, my scars look more faint. Who knew?

Definitely get your doctor's permission because you don't want to infect your vagina cuff. I didn't get the okay until week 8 to swim and I still can't have sex for another two weeks (sniffle). But if he gives you the okay, go find you a freakin' saltwater pool. LOL

P.S. I'm 51 and never had kids. My body is not perfect, but not bad enough for a one piece yet. My husband is a good looking man and I don't want to maw maw bathing suit it out unless I have to! Good luck!

P.S.S. Ooops, I just realized you haven't had your surgery yet. Anyway, keep this info for afterwards. I feel so good, I can't read. hahaha

Lotus51,
Did you have the 4 scars above and either side of belly button? Mine will be high.
I am so glad you are still rocking the bikini!! Love it!

Sporty -

You should check with your Dr. regarding the incision. Some abdominal incisions are vertical not horizontal depending on the size of the fibroids.

I have 5 incision points from my surgery. They are about 1.5 inches long, no puckering and most of them are healing without any redness. I have slight redness on one of them.