Laparotomy Scar

4mySister
4mySister Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My sister recently underwent surgery, having had a "pelvic clearout". Yesterday, she saw her scar for the first time. Are there any suggestions I can pass on to help her right now, maybe ideas how she might reduce the scarring?

Comments

  • ISURVIVED
    ISURVIVED Member Posts: 1
    #2
    Hi there, I had the very same surgery in Nov. 2001 and vitamin E oil worked well. I did this under the direction of my doctor, though. Some people also recommend aloe vera, directly from the plant itself. You have to be careful with the stitches, making sure not to rub too hard, depending on how soon after the surgery you try to apply it. Again, I would check with the doctor before using any other creams, lotions, etc. God bless and take care.
  • 4mySister
    4mySister Member Posts: 2
    #3
    ISURVIVED said:

    Hi there, I had the very same surgery in Nov. 2001 and vitamin E oil worked well. I did this under the direction of my doctor, though. Some people also recommend aloe vera, directly from the plant itself. You have to be careful with the stitches, making sure not to rub too hard, depending on how soon after the surgery you try to apply it. Again, I would check with the doctor before using any other creams, lotions, etc. God bless and take care.

    Thank you. I cut and paste your reply into an email so that she could maybe speak with her doctor at her next appointment. Not meaning to pry, but did you have further treatments after surgery? As all of this is only a week old now, my sister has yet to have her follow-up appointment.
  • KarinBarrett
    KarinBarrett Member Posts: 2
    #4
    I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on November 05, 2004 and on November 30, 2004 I had a hysterectomy. They removed my uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, appendix , ommemtum and two large tumors, one the size of a human head. My scar starts about 1/2 inch above my belly button and goes around it and than all the way down to my pelvic bone. As soon as my staples were removed I used vitamin E. After about a week I started to use unrefined 100% pure shea butter which I have been using on my body for about 1 year. If the shea butter is unrefined it contains all of its components. Even if it has been refined it is an excellent moisturizer. It is very similar to coccoa butter if you never heard of shea butter. I think the key is to keep the scar moustrized. It has been 4 months since my surgery and the scar is no longer that angry looking red color, it is more pink. I don't expect it will ever go away but I hope it will fade with time.

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