How Long Is Your Scar/Incision for those with Open Nephrectomys

APny

I can't speak for Tesla of

I can't speak for Tesla of course but I don't think it was vanity that prompted the question. A later post said Tesla was just trying to get an idea whether the size of incision is indicative of the surgeon's skill. Would a more skilled surgeon would be able to acomplish it with a smaller incision? Or at least that's what I got out of it. I would think the size of the tumor and its location are a bigger factor but perhaps skill does play into it to some degree.

foxhd

Steve.Adam said:

Actually...

I can see you feel strongly about this and I agree with you, but which post are you reacting to?

Tesla's original question was only to find out if anyone had had a 'mini flank' incision. 

If there's any vanity there it is hiding deep between the lines.

Steve.

naw,

not pickin on tesla. I know that wasn't what she asked. I was approached by another who I think is being mis-managed. her urologist intimated that he will follow her. He implied that "she doesn't want a big old gut incision." So she agreed. Next thing I know is she spent a week in icu on a vent. Sure he will follow her.  To her grave. This hits a nerve with me because prior to my cancer dx, I had my gall bladder removed through those nice small holes in my abdomen. If they had opened me up, they would have found my tumor, removed it at stage 1, and I wouldn't be here advocating for everyone else. This is not something to take lightly. I've made this comment before. I feel certain it has saved lives. Especially by raising doubts and as a result second opinions were sought. I don't want to see patients suffer based on bad advice by some doc using vanity as a sales pitch.

Steve.Adam

foxhd said:

naw,

not pickin on tesla. I know that wasn't what she asked. I was approached by another who I think is being mis-managed. her urologist intimated that he will follow her. He implied that "she doesn't want a big old gut incision." So she agreed. Next thing I know is she spent a week in icu on a vent. Sure he will follow her.  To her grave. This hits a nerve with me because prior to my cancer dx, I had my gall bladder removed through those nice small holes in my abdomen. If they had opened me up, they would have found my tumor, removed it at stage 1, and I wouldn't be here advocating for everyone else. This is not something to take lightly. I've made this comment before. I feel certain it has saved lives. Especially by raising doubts and as a result second opinions were sought. I don't want to see patients suffer based on bad advice by some doc using vanity as a sales pitch.

Interesting point

Maybe everyone should get a scan every 5 or 10 years.

My mother had a benign mass removed fom her kidney when she was about my age. Now that I have lso had a kidney tumour my sister is arranging to be scanned, just in case.  It seems sensible.

I told her that if she's lucky they'll find something... It didn't quite get across the way I meant it.

Steve.

Tesla1

As a 55 year old married male

As a 55 year old married male, it wasn't about vanity at all. Just looking for more reassurance that my surgeon is as skilled as I believe him to be. My surgery is this Thursday, 4-6 and I'm getting anxious so please forgive any questions born from fear of what's about to happen.

Steve.Adam

Bigger might be better

I have an idea that it's easier for surgeons if they have more room to move and it is easier for them to see.

No idea if there's anything in that idea.

Steve.

DAC677

SCAR

My scar goes from almost my sternun almost to my hip. I think it was 48 staples. I could have miscounted, i was on drugs....lol

I never considered the lnegth of the scar on the outside as much as how many muscles and things were cut through on the inside. I was told that the nerves could take a year to fully heal and would give some odd sensations as they did.o

DAC677

donna_lee said:

I don't think anyone is going to flaunt the scar

So what is the real concern about how long it is?  I was so glad they could open me up and get the first surgery done that I didn't care it was 14" long.

And each succeeding one was 4" over the top of the others.  As the scars age, they get much less visible and seem to shrink and blend in.

There is so much more to be concerned with in life than a little or even big scar.

Good luck, no matter what happens.

donna_lee

I might flaunt my scar....lol

I have a trip to St. Martin planned in May. this will be my first public outing of a huge scar. Should i wear a T shirt everywhere? Should i lather it in sunblock and have that whole section turn white? Will it burn faster? Or maybe Ill just get a zipper tattooed at the top of it.