[notz]

I had a complete hysterectomy in Nov 2016. They also surgically scraped my ureters, removed my appendix, ometum, and 9 lymph nodes from various locations. I'm doing great but it was a big surgery and has been a long haul!

I had a 10 inch vertical incision from the bottom of my breast bone, around my bellybutton all the way down to my pubic bone. Internal sutures of course and 35 staples. The scar feels like a cord of tissue not like smooth skin. I don't care that I have a scar, I'm just uncomfortable with clothing and buttons or snaps up against it. It gets red, angry and sore.

I don't wear dresses so that's not happening. Currently I'm using elastic waistbands but I miss my jeans terribly! I massage the scar tissue several times a day with Mederma, sometimes with vitamin E oil. Anyone have any suggestion on how to soften this scar up? It's annoying me to no end.

[*Laurie*]

Hi, It sounds like you might have a keloid scar. Keloid is a certain way some people's skin heals.

Unfortunately, you will probably have to go through at least a full year before your scar is fully healed - and even then it might be a bit sensitive.

I've had 2 c-sections and healed keloid from both. My youngest child is 28 years old - and the scar from his birth still flares up sometimes. The good news is, I believe your scar will eventually heal and won't bother you nearly so much.

For me, pure aloe vera (straight from the leaf) helps my skin heal.

[notz]

Thanks for your reply Laurie. I do think it's a garden variety hypertrophic scar because it hasn't escaped the boundaries of the incision like keloids like to do. It's raised only and not spread out. I like your suggestion, I see an aloe plant in my future!!

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by notz

... I see an aloe plant in my future!!

I bought an aloe plant a month or so ago just to help me heal. It has been working pretty well by keeping my going!

Recovering from a hysterectomy does take time, it's a major surgery. I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy around 6 years or so ago, and that wasn't easy. I do know that my incision site was horizontal though. Recovering from that type of incision is much easier than a vertical scar. Have you checked out that website at all yet?

Hysterectomy - HysterSisters

They were a great resource for me back at that time in my life. They may also have some additional ideas to help you battle this skin irritation as well. Gentle hugs sent your way.

[notz]

Yes, I have found HysterSisters, a great resource! Thanks Shez!

Yeppers, a different incision than the horizontal "bikini line" hysterectomy I had done like 18 years ago. Aren't I lucky? I've had 2 hysterectomies! The first one took everything but my ovaries and Fallopian tubes as it supposedly helped with menopause, hormones, etc. Who knew I would have a cyst grow in my left ovary to the size of a grapefruit (15 cm) and weigh in at 3 lbs!!!!!! There was concern because some of the cells looked abnormal hence the staging for cancer with the lymph nodes, appendectomy and omentum removal. Fortunately everything was benign.

[possum220]

Bio oil is good for making scars disappear.