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Scar help? Anything to help them fade or smooth out?
In April I had lumpectomy and breast reduction. It's healed but the scars are still quite obvious which is to be expected. What I want to know is what did anyone use that helped fade and smooth them. Currently I use silicone scar tape on them but I'd like to know if anyone has had luck with Vitamin E oils or Bio Oil etc. What worked and didn't work for you? Thanks in advance for any advice 🙂
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Hi, there are several things you can use as long as the scar is healed.
Scar tape, wheat germ oil and red light laser, IPL laser treatment. Any one of these work. Right now I am using scar tape. I will also use IPL, wheat germ oil red light therapy in between changing the tape.
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3 ReactionsI actually self-massaged a lot of the scar tissue out in the past week. It was rock hard. I was totally frustrated with it. The breast feels more normal. I had a lumpectomy in November 2022. I had cording and self-massaged the cording as I had to wait 3 weeks for an assessment and then 4 weeks after that to get the next appointment which coincided with the start of radiation therapy. I told her that I was not going to see her during radiation therapy. A BC friend said that it was good that i did not as it may have harmed the radiation success.
I have an appointment with a breast lymphedema specialist mid-September, Had to wait almost 4 weeks to see this new specialist. She is supposed to address this and some other issues.
I was able to massage out the majority of the scar tissue by rubbing up and down and across and moving the scar tissue. I just was totally frustrated with this and other breast issues such as pain all along the sentinel node which still hurts after 9 months and breast swelling. I may or may not have breast lymphedema.
The radiologist who took my 1-year mammogram and ultrasound said that I did and gave me a referral to a new breast lymphedema specialist. This is the first that I have heard of this, and all my other doctors just said that I had scar tissue and did not offer any ideas or options.
Somewhat worried that I should not have done self-massage. But breast is better...
I feel that life is a do-it-yourself project.
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8 ReactionsI have been to see an occupational therapist trained in lymphedema, such as you have been referred to. It’s a good idea. Some background: I had a lumpectomy in December 2022, no lymph nodes involved, and also had a bilateral reduction, so have the scars on both sides. I used the silicone tape on the non-cancerous breast for weeks, and was advised by the surgeons that the radiation to the left breast (16 treatments) would heal up the scar tissue even better than the tape. That’s been true. The referral to the therapist for the lymphedema came because I recently experienced a pronounced tightening at the underarm on the left side (I suddenly couldn’t raise my arm) and continue to have a hard irregular lump within the breast where the lumpectomy was. (That is part of what you probably massaged out from the get-go) Also some swelling on the outside of that breast under the armpit. Hence the referral. The tightening was dealt with via stretching exercises, and it has worked. The therapist massaged the lumpy area, and as long as I continue it, the lumpiness has dissipated. The swelling has not gone away — so maybe it’s there to stay and is not excess fluid at all. Unknown at this point. I had 7 sessions with the therapist, who herself had BC 5 years ago with radiation. She tells me that periodically she has to redo the stretching exercises and the massage. Bottom line to me is: I think you did a good thing by massaging, but looks like it is something that may need to continue. Also, my scars on both breasts are practically gone, although best on the radiated side. I think it just takes a longer time to heal that any of us figured on. By the way, you can find a few good YouTube videos about the lymphedema therapy, which requires specialty training and certification for occupational therapists. I had to do a bit of research to find someone certified. (The doc originally referred me to a specific place and I called 3 x but they never called back! I could not get through! Can you believe it?!) Good luck with your continued recovery!
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7 ReactionsIt's probably good that you did massage to incision area. From my experience, that is part of PT.
This year I was diagnosed with 11cm high grade DCIS, and had a simple mastectomy in May 2023. I was referred to a PT specializing in lymphedema...long wait to get in. My PT gave exercises to gain strength and range of motion in arm/ chest wall/ back. I also have lymphedema in the axillary and chest wall. We do exercises to move the lymph fluid (reduce the swelling) and massage the scar. It's not painful, just tight. So glad we are doing this. It was uncomfortably tight before we started.
FYI- I had the mastectomy in May, 2nd surgery in June to place the tissue expander, and will have the final surgery in October. Will need PT again.
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3 ReactionsThank you for your reply. Really appreciate it. It looks like I will have quite an exercise program ahead....Much needed. 💜💜
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2 ReactionsI think your massaging the scar and area was what the OT will do and more. I had a mastectomy and one lymph node removed in 11/21. Radiation followed in January and lymphedema soon after. I've been seeing the OT since then. Besides the breaking up of scar tissue and cording. I have been dealing with swelling in the breast area. I now exercise every day, wear a lymphedma pad at night and a camisole that compresses not only the breast but the abdomen as well. I feel that things are under control now. I hope to be finished with OT by the end of the year.
Good luck in your journey
Maggie
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6 Reactionsmaggieb892:
Thank you for sharing your story and what you are doing and wonderful that you will reach a point of OT finish soon.
I actually was angry at my doctors that they looked at all the scar tissue and said nothing. Radiologist at mammogram one year later told me.
Had clear mammogram and ultrasound and went home with anger at my doctors. But, anger is something that we all deal with with BC. One of many emotions.....and ups and downs with all this.
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5 ReactionsLife is a do-it-yourself project. So true. I seem to have flare ups of soreness. But I keep massaging and stretching… healing takes a long time.
Did you buy a long sleeve compression garment?
No, my lymphedema and swelling is in my breast and under my arm. I purchased a pad that helps compress that area.