Mastectomy & reconstrcution scars

The cream my surgeon
The cream my surgeon recommended was Vitamin E cream after I healed enough. I got it all Walmart and is pretty inexpensive. When she mention how cherry red my scars were, she told me to get Cimeosil. It comes in a kind of rubbery strip or cream. She told me to get the strips. They were pretty long, so my partner was able to cut them to fit my scars, since the weren't straight. I put them on at night and took them off in the morning. And washed them. They really worked great. After a period of time, they wore out and I would have to look for them in bed when I woke (I am cheap and wanted to use them till they were totally wore out.) I know they lasted about two months and I think I paid about $35 last year. She liked the strips better because the cream would more than likely wear off at night on my pjs. The strips stayed on all night (till the end). My scars are now a very light color, they don't stick out or puffy. I think they look pretty good.
So I would use the Cimeosil strips at night, and put on the Vitamin E creme after I showered. I put the cream on right after I dried off, then brushed my teeth, etc finished drying off so the cream would have time to settle in. I have no kids here so I had the option of walking naked to the bedroom. I had no problem with the cream getting on my clothing. Just don't glob it on.
I hope this helps you.

Cocoa Butter
I'm a firm believer in Cocoa Butter for reducing scars. Many,Many years ago I succeeded in ripping about the outer 1/3 of the skin off my leg between knee and ankle in a riding accident (horse - not motorcycle). Also messed up circulation so took more than 6 months to heal. Should have been quite scared, I know where it was and I can see a difference in the deepest area but no one else does. I didn't use it on mast. scar as it was always a very neat thin line - no external stitches. I burned very bad after rads and after finally getting it where there were no longer any open areas (thanks to Domebro soaks - allergic to Sulfa so Silvadene/Sulfadene was not an option) I used Cocoa Butter. It definately helped with the scaring but not as good as it had with my leg - BUT I'm a LOT older now so that probably comes into.play.

Hubby is quite accident prone and won't go to a Dr as long as he's conscious so over the years I've done a lot of patching up on him. Cocoa Butter has worked great on him. Also the horses.

Susan

In a skin-sparing
In a skin-sparing mastectomy, all of the breast skin, except the nipple and the areola, is preserved. This makes reconstruction easier and most importantly avoids making any scars on the breast, allowing for better results after breast reconstruction.

The reconstruction options following a skin-sparing mastectomy include TRAM flap or Latissimus flap with an implant. Also, find information on preparing for your recovery below.
TRAM Flap Reconstruction

TRAM stands for transverse rectus abdominis muscle, the tissue that is used to reconstruct your breast in this method. Unlike most other methods of breast reconstruction, the TRAM flap is completely natural, because it uses your body's own tissues to reconstruct your breast.

The advantage of this type of surgery is that the reconstructed breast is very soft, natural and lifelike. Size, fullness and shape are as closely matched for symmetry as possible. In order to reconstruct the breast, we use the "tummy" tissue — skin, muscle and fat from the area of the abdomen below the navel. This procedure is very similar to a "tummy tuck" which may be considered a benefit for some women.

This procedure requires one surgery and a second, very minor one, if you would like your nipple reconstructed. This procedure may be done on women who have had radiation therapy treatment to the breast.

The disadvantage of this type of surgery is that there is a long abdominal scar below the navel and this surgery is more painful than other breast reconstructive surgery. It also requires a few more days in the hospital after surgery and a longer recovery time than other surgeries.

The TRAM flap reconstruction has been performed on women ranging in age from their late-20s to their mid-70s. After recovery from surgery, most women report that they are pleased with the outcome and they believe that they made the correct choice for them. Most patients do very well and are extremely pleased following vitamin their surgery.

The following instruction information is designed to help you know what to expect following surgery as well as to allow you to become involved in your post-operative recovery. Familiarizing yourself with and following these suggestions will be your best preparation for surgery.

When the skin-sparing mastectomy is finished, all of the breast skin (except the nipple and areola) is saved. The plastic surgeon then can reconstruct the breast by adding the skin needed to replace the nipple and areola, as well as adding breast volume using tissue or an implant.

reference: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/breast_reconstruction/options_after_a_skin-sparing_mastectomy/index.html

GreeneyedGirl said:

Vit E~
My surgeon had me take a vitamin E supplement (400 iu), as well as rub some into the scar itself (break open a capsule). My scars are silvery white now, really blend in well. Keep in mind we all heal a bit differently~
Keep trying what you can, and hopefully you will get some happy results~ I hope my suggestion helps.
~Melanie

I didn't have a mastectomy,
I didn't have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy, but, I was told also to use Vitamin E and I think it does help.

Good luck,

Diane