What kind of products have you guys used? Or do you find works best on a budget?

Also, did the little dot like scars around your nipples go away on their own? I'be been meaning to post a pic now that my scabs fell off, I'll try to get one posted tomorrow.

I'm not using anything on my scars and I'm just at 5 months post-op.  I didn't have any "dot like" scars around my nipples, but I had some around the edges of my incision lines.  I'm assuming you mean the scars where the sutures were?  They have faded quite a bit, but are still visible.  I'm sure by the end of year 1, they'll be invisible.

Hey, GQJoey, there is A LOT of information on the Top Surgery Recovery Thread about scar treatment. 

Some suggestions were Scar Away, both strips and gel.  I recall someone saying they used the Target brand, but that it would peel off.

I ended up getting hypertrophic scars, unfortunately, and although it is most a time thing when it comes to improvement, I have found that Kelo Cote has made a difference.  It is similar to Scar Away gel, but thicker.  I still wear it all the time and will be for about two years (again, unfortunately).  I believe that Scar Away recently bought the company as well.  I know at least one person said they used this product.  There are also other suggestions on caring for scars that people have found useful.

If you are referring to the skin that is pulled away from the areola to stitch onto the chest (as Kreuzfidel suggested), I am at 8 months out and there is still some present.  They are getting less.

I was wondering if you would consider posting a picture of your chest and also information on your both your surgery experience and your recovery in the Top Recovery Thread (it is a sticky note at the top).  We are trying to get as many "stories" and information on there as possible for others who are looking to get top surgery.  I know for me, it would have been an invaluable resource prior to surgery.  Even if you aren't comfortable with a picture, if you could still speak on your experience, that would be great.  Thanks!

Yeah I have had trouble getting the Scaraway gel, but ironically sometimes I have gotten it quite cheap (I mean relatively), something like one for full price and one for half price. I noticed something on the box re: Kelocote but I think these must be the older bottles. I know some guys in the UK taking Kelocote, I think that Mr Yelland sells it (much like Dr G sells Scarguard--yesh, don't buy).

My scars look quite good, but of course, I have not done the experiment on myself of not taking anything.


--Jay

You may want to check out "Bio-Oil"  It is used by the Seattle Burn Center to minimize and relieve scaring.  If nothing else it makes your skin feel wonderful.  Seems a bit pricy, but you only need a few drops, and it goes a long way.  Amazon.com has the best price that I have found.

Julie

Quote from: JulieBlair on June 18, 2014, 11:38:30 AM
You may want to check out "Bio-Oil"  It is used by the Seattle Burn Center to minimize and relieve scaring.  If nothing else it makes your skin feel wonderful.  Seems a bit pricy, but you only need a few drops, and it goes a long way.  Amazon.com has the best price that I have found.

Julie

I don't agree. I think bio-oil has lots of vitamin E which can cause stretching (esp where the scars are this is a risk). It also has carcinogens. Anecdotally guys who used bio-oil don't seem to have as good results with their scars. Actually the only thing with the real hard core research behind it is silicone (found in things like the strips, Scaraway products, Kelocote, etc.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on June 18, 2014, 02:08:02 PM
I don't agree. I think bio-oil has lots of vitamin E which can cause stretching (esp where the scars are this is a risk). It also has carcinogens. Anecdotally guys who used bio-oil don't seem to have as good results with their scars. Actually the only thing with the real hard core research behind it is silicone (found in things like the strips, Scaraway products, Kelocote, etc.

--Jay

Correct.  I put a link about this in the Top Surgery Recovery thread.  Glad you said something Jay, because I am starting to sound like a broken record!

Yes the clones speak! Listen! LOL

--Jay

Quote from: Brett on June 18, 2014, 06:20:47 PM
Correct.  I put a link about this in the Top Surgery Recovery thread.  Glad you said something Jay, because I am starting to sound like a broken record!

Kelo cote has worked very well for me but unfortunately I can't post pictures due to the line of work I'll be involved in since I have very identifying ink that would be visible in all the pictures. I will say that the positive amazon reviews are very accurate and I'm also considering -not- getting cover up tattoo artwork done since the scars appear to be fading very rapidly to the point I personally feel that I won't need them covered up by tattoos to be comfortable shirtless.

My surgeon recommended vitamin e oil - you can get it from GNC for $12. He didn't seem convinced of any other products, said there wasn't enough scientific evidence....I'm still considering trying them, especially the kelocote. Someone had said using that and micropore tape helped. I'm concerned about people saying vitamin e causes stretching. Is there an example/source of this?

Well E would not be bad at my stage (7 months), but I really think it causes stretching it makes sense since it makes the scars all soft and so on. There is scientific evidence on silicone. I looked at the most dense ridiculous medical type stuff imaginable. There is no evidence, in fact, that anything else works.
I think a lot of doctors are skeptical though. I think since scaraway bought kelocote they have both been hard to find. I don't see either one at Walgreen's anymore. But I have gotten good deals on scaraway. I mean the gel, the strips are there.

--Jay

Quote from: Pictrig18 on June 19, 2014, 08:04:09 AM
My surgeon recommended vitamin e oil - you can get it from GNC for $12. He didn't seem convinced of any other products, said there wasn't enough scientific evidence....I'm still considering trying them, especially the kelocote. Someone had said using that and micropore tape helped. I'm concerned about people saying vitamin e causes stretching. Is there an example/source of this?

Thanks for the feedback! I think I might try getting some Kelocote. My scars aren't all that terrible, I just know I'm prone to scarring. Mosquito bites give my irish arse scars.

I've read about "massaging" scars to help reduce them, how exactly do you go about doing this? Is it a finger massage or a all out rub? I have a nice little pucker at the end of my incision on my right side, and want to try to reduce it. In a few weeks when I'm healed up a bit more I plan on getting back to working out, but want to do what I can now as well.

I bought both tubes of the kelo cote on amazon personally. As for the massaging of the scars, I avoided anything and everything besides cleaning and applying the silicone gel and micropore tape, even then I used the lightest touch and movements possible on and around the fresh scars. Very similar to how to heal piercings and tattoos. Leave it alone and let nature take its course. Things like body art heal faster that way so I figured this type of scarring probably would too, and it worked out well for me.

Except for the middle of my chest which had some scar tissue I didn't really massage too much. It seemed to work for me. I did not have a special technique or anything. Just what seemed natural.

--Jay