As you’ve probably noticed I haven’t been updating my blog as regularly as I used to. One of the main reasons for that was because, heart-related, there wasn’t much to say. The aim of the blog had always been to provide a site where future patients could come and see what the experience would be like before their own surgery. And I felt if I deviated off that track and wrote about other things...well that wouldn’t be good! But I am aware that a blog that gets updated rarely would not get read...so give me some feed back people! Is it just heart related stuff that you’re after or other topics too?
Getting back on track, I consider myself pretty healthy now. In fact, fully recovered. It’s strange because my family and friends always ask how I am and it’s getting quite irritating now. Although I shouldn’t be annoyed because they mean well! I think it’s always harder on them because they had to witness what I went through and it always looks worse to them. That’s not to say it was a walk in the park! So now I’m doing a lot of running, weights, and even bought an exercise bike. I know, I’m turning in to a fitness freak.
The only sign of my surgery is the scar. It’s still quite unsightly because it’s raised a rather large (keloid scar). My GP offered my the option of injecting the scar with a steroid which can help...but the stories I’ve heard of how painful that is made me refuse. So instead he offered me something called Haelan Tape. Keep that in mind if you have a keloid scar yourself! I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you how annoying those things are and Haelan Tape actually works. It’s like Sellotape that you place on the scar and throughout the day it will release some form of steroid on to the scar to reduce the size. I’ve been using it for about 2-3 weeks and the size of the scar has reduced dramatically. I would post a picture but I don’t think you’d like to see that! Hopefully it will go away eventually.
I’m still taking Warfarin (obviously, otherwise I’d be dead!)and my anticoagulation level is pretty much stable (if you don’t know what I’m talking about shame on you! Have a read of some of my older posts to do with INR/anticoagulation/Warfarin). I know have to see the nurse every two months or so, which is great compared to the 3 times a week when my INR was unstable after the operation.
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While not heart surgery, I too recently underwent a drastic surgical experience, leaving me with two six-inch scars spanning my chest. Although I started using it almost immediately after surgery, I've found that "Kelo-Cote" scar gel is amazingly effective. I have a predisposition of developing keloid scars, which I was worried about as obviously these are larger than any other on my body.
ReplyDeleteI've been using it every morning, and occasionally at night when I remember, for about three months; and the results are great so far. It's not sticky or oily like you'd imagine, as it dries almost instantly, which is great because then you can just move on and not worry about mussing up your shirt. The scars are pink instead of bright red, as new ones often are; and paper-flat instead of raised. I haven't heard of Haelan Tape, which also sounds like a great solution, but if you're ever looking for something different / something additional, I'd highly recommend Kelo-Cote despite its slightly intimidating cost.
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