How long until my scar will be normal

it doesn't hurt to try

by novie - 2012-11-12 01:11:19

I'm using vitamin e too...just started recently...see how it goes.
I cannot and will not blame you for being so conscious about your scar...a lot of younger women does...at my age it doesn't hurt to have it since it is hidden most of the time but of course not on summer time. I have a bigger/longer scar right on my neck (3 inches long and very much visible). I got a lot of stare and questions on why I got it. Well, back in 1969, my parents were only concerned about me being alive and healthy....I got used to the stare (it still happening!!).....it will not kill me...LOL!
As every one said...it will takes time to heal and I agree!!!
Novie

I really like to use Vitamin E oil

by janetinak - 2012-11-12 01:11:43

the kind that is used for facial care.It is available over the counter. I put it on my scar every night at bedtime. Every body's skin is different but esp the 1st scar takes longer at least it did for me. My scar is almost invisible & I am on my 3rd PM & a lot older than you :-)

Hope that helps,

Janet

Vitamin E Oil

by Dreamer - 2012-11-12 03:11:06

My daughter just got her pacemaker 3 weeks Tuesday and she is 19. He cardiologist told her to use Vitamin E. She is using capsules and opening them. He said her scar will not be seen within a year. Hope that helps! 2 votes for Vit E Oil.

TraceyE

by janetinak - 2012-11-12 04:11:05

Love your comment about scars vs tattoo's.! Thanks,

Janet

I use

by ohiolaura - 2012-11-12 08:11:00

I use my moisturizer that I use for my face,which is really good stuff,I put it one 1-2 times a day,after I shower mainly.
Vitamin E sounds good also,it does have healing properties from what Ive heard.
I understand being female and somewhat vain with the scar,Im older than you,but that being said,still find it something I dont want to advertise that I have.
I have a larger scar,which I have dealt with for 45 years,as I had open heart surgery at 4 yrs old,and back then,believe me,the esthetic part of closing wasnt nearly as good as it is now,left me with a pretty decent scar from right below my area where my necklace rests down to above my naval.It bothered me alot growing up,it did improve over the years,but still people still look......at this point I could care less,so now that I have a new incision,I look at it like the old one from way back when has a new friend to keep it company.
I cant think of anyother way to look at it,beats the alternative of not being able to live life,or the worse,not living.
At this point,I could care if anyone looks at it,maybe its a good conversation piece?Or gives people something to wonder about.I think over time,it will be way less of a concern to you,much less to cover up than open heart scars are.....keep up the moisturizing and with time it should be good.Also,make sure you stay hydrated,it helps your skin so much.
You'll be fine,wear it with pride!
Laura

vitamin e

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-12 10:11:09

I got medical grade vitamin e from my dr, but I had a plastic surgeon tell me that keeping it moist is key, doesn't much matter what you use. It hasn't been long, it will fade!!!!!!!!! It depends on your skin how long that takes. I am very pale, it took mine about a year to become nearly invisible.

That said, don't worry about it showing! I saw a t-shirt I liked, it said "scars are just tattoos with a better story."

ooops!

by TheHemiChic - 2012-11-15 02:11:10

forgot to read first....tell the "tale"

Love your scar....

by TheHemiChic - 2012-11-15 02:11:48

Wear your scar with pride, sweetie. If you didn't have it, you may not have been here to tell the tail. It WILL fade, I promise. I had mine done 2 1/2 years ago and I think the "bump" under my skin is more noticeable than the actual scar.
When I first had the dressing taken off, it looked terrible. If anyone asked me "what happened?" I'd look them, dead in the eye, and say "my husband shot me" The looks of shock & disbelief were priceless......especially if he was with me when I said it. Humor helps, BIG TIME. You have to choose how you're going to deal with it........trust me, acting like it's "no big deal" gets easier until it really is no big deal :)

Good luck.

wider?

by polrbear - 2012-11-15 04:11:27

If it's wide and has ridges that feel a bit rope-like, you may have some keloid scarring. I've heard things like the other have mentioned about vitamin E oil, but haven't tried it--my scars are huge and obvious--well beyond what vitamin E can manage. However, if the scar is getting larger, especially outward, it may be keloid scarring. A steroid injection can help remedy that, but make sure to discuss that with your EP and dermatologist/plastic surgeon are both accepting of this idea. EPs get a bit protective of this and it may take a bit more knowledge than usual for the derm/plastics doc to do this correctly so close to a device.

Dustin

silicone bandage

by Lilmisstraveller - 2012-11-26 11:11:11

Hi There!
I'm a young woman too, only 28 and my doctor suggested a silicone bandage. It is a special dressing that is used for burns victims or people who have had plastic surgery. It is not cheap. It cost me $80 Aud. I wear it everyday for the next three months. It is reusable, and also supports the pacemaker. sometimes i feel the little PM is going to fall out of my chest! So this is helping!
Good luck, I know how your feeling about your scar.

each scar is a little different

by Sig27 - 2020-07-28 22:50:39

I've had two scars, because the second time, they couldn't use the first one, it was too close to the leads, and might have damaged them. So, I got a new one. The first scar was higher and more visible than I would have liked, but it healed very tight and light and became almost invisible over time. The second was lower, which I preferred, but it was close to my 'boob' and more tugging and I was older, so that one healed redder and wider than the first, so I know exactly what you're describing. It ended up looking more like a stretch mark, than that first scar. I just had my third, haven't seen the incision or scar yet, since the steri-strips are still on. I feel it's a lot longer than the other two, just from what I can see from the outside, I also feel they weren't able to use one of the others, because of where it is, so I guess I'll have a third scar now. We'll see how this one heals. I've had more tighness of the skin, since they moved the PM higher than the last two times and I'm somewhat boney up there (I was able to convince them to put it pretty low in the 'boob', before, this time, they said tissue was too loose there and they needed to be higher and attach it to the muscle. It feels a lot more uncomfortable now, too soon to tell on the scar. 

Here's my advise to minimize the scar, yes, you can use skin oils, Vitamin E etc. Make sure you wear a sports bra, I do at all times during the healing, to minimize tugging downward. I wish these mail EPs would consider this when they do these on us women. My bra strap is also right over the incision, so right now it's super umcomfortable, and I'm afraid it will be for some time, as the strap will always be right over it. Don't do anything bouncy for a while, or wear a super support sports bra if you do. Once it's been 9-12 months, it should be good and not deteriorate, it can still slightly improve after that, but you can do more activity with less support then. Good luck to you, remember it's keeping you alive, don't fight it ... my kids call my bionic mom, now, I have accepted it as part of me.