Are surgery scars permanent?

[nogutsnoglory]

I am going in for surgery they will attemp laparoscopic but may need to convert to an open. Are the scars permanent? Are they below the trunks line?

 

[Nyx]

I had my surgery almost 2 years ago and my scar is still almost as red as it was when I first got my staples out (it was open surgery). I really think it depends on your skin type and shading. I'm very pale, so my scar is very noticeable. It's also right down the centre of my belly so it makes a bump right in the middle...I tell everyone that my belly looks like a bum now...lol My scar runs from about an inch above my bellybutton to just above my pubic hair...so about 6" in total.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Mine is from the belly up to 6 inches or so. But that was my second resection, and never should of been done at the time or the surgeon. However my first resection as a 2 inch scar on the bikini line...I have never worn a bikini since I was 10 :lol: .

Lap is easier and heal faster but open is a bit longer and is seen. Some people swear by vitamin E oil rubbed (much later tho). You must be young... heck I have a railroad station on mine lol.

 

[DustyKat]

Both of my children have had open bowel resection surgery. As a general rule your incision will be midline and vertical.

My daughter has a horizontal scar that is below the trunks line but that is only because she was undiagnosed when going for emergency surgery and they thought she was only going to have an appendectomy and laparotomy, so she ended up with an extended appendix scar.
My son had the traditional midline vertical incision and both of their surgeries were closed with a continuous suture.

As Cindy has said, scarring is very dependent on your skin colouring, the darker you are the more keloid (scar) tissue you produce and the more noticeable it is. Both of my children are fair skinned, my daughter had surgery 5 years ago and you can barely see the scar, it is very thin silvery white line. My son had surgery in April this year and his scar has already faded from red to light pink, as have his drain and attempted laparoscope scars.

Dusty. xxx

 

[CyCrohn'sGuy]

My scar - just above the naval going down to the pubic area - has practically faded and it's been just over a year since surgery. However, I do have two smaller scars where the drainage "system" was placed at the LLQ. I guess being a guy and having a hairy tum also helps to conceal.

 

[braveheart]

I had two open surgeries. What I can say about scars is they are permanent BUT as time goes by they are more alike your skin, in a way that it can be noticed at first sight.

After my second surgery I was about to go for a plastic surgery to repair the scar, but the doctors I've seen couldn't assure the scar would be completely gone, so I decided not to do it.

Good luck with your surgery

 

[Emily]

They are permanent but with enough time they can fade in color to be really light but the size won't change. Mine is now very light pink and almost blends in with my skin color but is still kinda raised. I was horrified post surgery but it will of course look "bad" post op. Mine is now light and it's fine. also mine is a vertical line spanning about 2 inches total above &below my belly button.
p.s. I wore a bikini this summer. If it freaked anyone out at the beach, too bad!

 

[archie]

The scar is permanent and although all the initial healing happens within 6-12 weeks residual healing can take place for approx 1-2 years post surgery that includes all the tissues and the scar, hence the fact it can fade a good bit from the initial surgery. Some people heal at different rates and levels, you can end up with a raised scar and for some it stays flat. Type of skin is a factor therefore not all scars will progress the same. Often you will feel numb around the scar which overtime can become more sensitive. As someone else has mentioned you can gets oils/creams/strips from the chemist to give them the best chance.