I am 1 year post op with Dr. Fischer, and I am not happy with my scars.  I don't have any dog flaps or anything, and I am very happy with the actual chest results.  Does anybody know about any non-surgical or expensive ways I can treat these scars?  Dr. Fischer had said she believed my skin tone would fade the scars quickly, but that hasn't happened.  Somedays the scars are lighter than others.  My biggest problem is under my left armpit.  The scar is really messed up, probably because I was too active walking my dog after surgery (I'm left handed also)

Here are some pics:

I don't know what to tell you ... google it ... I have heard a variety of thngs but I am not sure what works best ---

I've only been post-op for 8 weeks, so hopefully you'll get more responses from those further along in recovery.

I'm honestly not sure that any OTC treatment would help at this point (1 year post-op).  I think perhaps only time will fade the scars, depending on your genetics and your body's individual healing. 

Mederma and/or massage might help to break up the scar tissue and soften the scars.  Other than that,I'm really not sure.  Your chest looks good, by the way (and so does what I can see of your beard!).

I've never treated a scar to get it to fade away, I've never cared about them showing, and a lot of the time I prefered them because I saw them as "manly".  Obviously this is different though.  I've found that they're less visible in the summer from the sun, and I'm pretty sure that they were less visible this winter than they were last so it seems to have had some form of lasting effect.  I'm not sure if you're confident enough about them to go out topless though seeing as you're not happy with them.  If you are it might be worth a try though.  I'm not sure what else to suggest though.

Thanks guys.  Well my main holdup about going out shirtless is that I've put on a LOT of weight over the past 2 years.  If I was thinner, I don't know what my level of concerns would be about my scars.  My boyfriend suggested telling people that I got shot under my left arm lol, but as for the rest of my chest, I don't know what to say if people ask.  I am 100% stealth so I don't want to be found out, and although I can try to pass it off as "heart surgery", I have a feeling a lot of people will know that heart surgery scars go from top to bottom, not left to right haha.

http://www.ipfinfo.com/scars.jpg

double lung transplant

There's some scar fading gels you can buy and apply.   Mostly it's going to be time that fades your scars.

I have a rather large surgical scar and it didn't really start fading until 10+ years after the fact.  I was so self conscious about it that the dermatologist actually recommended I tan to minimize the appearance in addition to applying a topical gel.  My scar now looks like a thin line.

The scars don't look so bad, but you could tell people that you had acysts on your chest. My brother had a rather large one and his scar looked very similar to yours. You might also just be able to say it's  a skin condition. Anyway, they look very nice and getting some sun definitely couldn't hurt. Good luck!

Quote from: JPurcell on August 11, 2011, 11:26:01 AM
Anyway, they look very nice and getting some sun definitely couldn't hurt. Good luck!

Actually, exposing a scar to sunlight or uv rays is one of the worst things you could ever do when you want it to heal and fade.

Quote from: RyanThomas on August 11, 2011, 04:35:56 PM
Actually, exposing a scar to sunlight or uv rays is one of the worst things you could ever do when you want it to heal and fade.

I would see a dermatologist first and consult them. 

But tanning did work wonders for fading scars my scars.  I only did it though after years of healing when I'd exhausted all other means.

Quote from: Epi on August 11, 2011, 06:29:42 PM
I would see a dermatologist first and consult them. 

But tanning did work wonders for fading scars my scars.  I only did it though after years of healing when I'd exhausted all other means.

after years that might make sense. i'm recently post-op so my instructions are really for the 1st year.

Have you tried Mederma? My mom had to use it on a huge nasty birthmark of mine as a kid and now it's so faded you can barely see it, I saw pictures of it before and major difference.

As far as the scars not too many people are insensitive enough to ask about bigger scars for fear of upsetting the person but if they do I'd just say I don't want to talk about it, anyone with half a brain should know not to push it.

Mate, you can sometimes have another surgery where they 'cut out' your scars and allow the areas to heal all over again, like a do-over. But that's a question for your surgeon, I just know its possible. Of course that means going under the knife again, and the recovery - and allowing the area to heal properly this time. It looks like you have stretched the scars IMO - nothing bad, just meaning you lifted your arms too soon or something similar etc..

You could also enquire about laser treatment for scars. Not sure of the success, again I just know its a possibility.. And there's always tattooing over the scars you have now if you're keen on that. Even tatooing over the worse side - it'll be easier to explain on scar I guess.

But really mate, honestly if I was at a pool or the beach and saw a guy, or anyone for that matter, with big scars - I wouldn't dare ask for fear there were emotional 'scars' associated, or if it was a traumatic experience - you know what I'm saying... But I think we can all appreciate the self consciousness. First port of call - maybe call your surgeon.

Good luck man.

j.

Thanks everyone -

Aussie Jay - I've thought about a scar revision, but as my mother said, more surgery means more scars, right?  LOL.  I will need to see if my insurance covers dermatological work to get laser treatment.

Quote from: Chris968 on August 11, 2011, 08:38:45 PM
Thanks everyone -

Aussie Jay - I've thought about a scar revision, but as my mother said, more surgery means more scars, right?  LOL.  I will need to see if my insurance covers dermatological work to get laser treatment.

From my limited understanding mate - they cut around the borders of your current scars and then suture the new edges back together. Same amount of scars - like no extra incisions or anything, but if allowed to heal a little longer than maybe what you did last time (no walking the dog, or excessive use of your arms too soon after surgery etc) the scars may be thinner. Like I said looking at your pics it looks like the scars have stretched. So if I'm understanding you and your Ma's concern of more scars - no, you will have the same amount of scars but perhaps they could heal better, thinner or lighter etc...

Does that make sense mate?? And of course you have to check with a surgeon if you're a candidate to have the procedure done etc..

j.

I had a dream that I got my scars removed. In the dream they cut off the scarred skin and then used a skin graft spray gun on me. Like this The Skin Gun. Maybe in a few years...? 

I'm coming up to 5 years post op, and my scars took a long time to fade.
I used bio-oil, which is also a treatment for stretch marks amoung many other things, and works wonders to lessen scars "redness". It also makes them smoother.
My scars began going away "properly" when I was about 2 years post op, and each year since then they have faded more - if that was even possible. Perhaps my skin is just evening out and they are less prominent.
Either way, these things can take many years.

You could tell anyone who asks, that you had some growths removed. Not a lie!!
They will fade with time. My son's are still a bit visible after two and a half years.
Karen.

I wouldn't say heart surgery or lung transplant people usually ask follow-up questions. I say I got 'fluid drained' and then people assume it's from the lungs and if they ask I go 'yeah, like that'. But some know I had a lung collapse from a previous surgery and assume also that it has to do with that. Guess it worked out since I'm also stealth.

I just personally don't like out-right lying about surgeries that people go under for scary-as-->-bleeped-<- issues. I also do not like when stuff like that is compared to being trans. That is just my personal opinions.

Anyway, I just started using bio oil and am 6 months post-op. My scars are very similar to yours and my surgeon suggested bio oil and also to massage and put pressure on them. Hopefully it works out.

Quote from: Da Monkey on August 12, 2011, 08:12:19 AM
I wouldn't say heart surgery or lung transplant people usually ask follow-up questions. I say I got 'fluid drained' and then people assume it's from the lungs and if they ask I go 'yeah, like that'.

I just personally don't like out-right lying about surgeries that people go under for scary-as-->-bleeped-<- issues.

yeah i don't advocate lying. i was just saying that if someone saw the op's scars, they might assume in their mind that it was from something like a lung transplant, because the scars look similar. you really shouldn't lie about heart or lung surgery, most because you just look like an ass (the life expectancy post-op is only like 5-10 years so be prepared for people to think you're about to die).