Question 1

how do i get an open heart surgery scar to disappear?

Accepted Answer

You can't: Scars tend to fade with time, but never really go away. Some areas of the body tend to scar worse than others. Sternal wounds tend to scar a bit more than places like the face or neck. You can try things like silicone sheeting or steroid injections if your scar is hypertrophic.

Question 2

how can i get an open heart surgery scar to appear better?

Accepted Answer

Good skin care: Avoid wound tension with tape and/or supportive bra, silicone adhesive gel sheets, no sun exposure, topical scar massage, close surgical follow up, timely removal of sutures, etc.

Question 3

i had open heart surgery as a baby, but i am all grown up now and want to get rid of the scar.?

Accepted Answer

Reduce not Remove: There may be many options to reduce the appearance or visibility of the scar but unfortunately there is no way to remove or regenerate normal skin at this point in medicine. Discuss your options with a plastic surgeon.

Question 4

my 14 week old daughter had an avsd open heart surgery repair which went well. now has a red rash around her scar. what could this reddening be?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It could be just a wound reaction or the process of wound healing, but it could also be an infection. Have the surgeon check it out because and infection could be very dangerous.

Question 5

my son is 5 months post op from open heart surgery. he has a rash around his chest scar. it is a red sandpaper feeling. normal or call the ped.

Accepted Answer

Call the Ped: Doubt if it's related to the surgery.  Probably some infectious disease

Question 6

2 questions:can i now start using neosporin on my scar?what do you think of trying to conceive 6 months after open heartsurgery? i am 24 years old and i had open heart surgery called the ross procedure on november 2nd, 2011 due to my bicuspid aortic valve

Accepted Answer

Congratulations : Congratulations on your successful surgery - now without a murmur!
there's no reason you can't use an ointment on your scar, though i doubt neosporin would be of any significant benefit.  Some people use vitamin E ointments on their scars, but there is no real evidence of it being of long term benefit.  My biggest recommendation is to avoid any lateral tension on the incision to prevent the scar from spreading.  For this you should have a well fitted brassiere.
There is no reason you shouldn't be ready to try and conceive six months after your surgery as long as the healing and recovery processes are proceeding normally.

Question 7

can a two-tear-old get open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!: Thousands of children get open heart surgery every year with great results. Want to make sure you work with a good team at an experienced center, starting with pediatric cardiologist and pediatric cardiac surgeon. May want to research depending on the surgery proposed to find out who has the most experience in your area.

Question 8

i need the heart diet? is when your going to get open heart surgery and need to lose weight fast.

Accepted Answer

Sensible calories: There is no special cardiac diet for rapid weight loss.  I would recommend watching calorie intake with a balanced diet.  Rapid wight loss can be harmful.

Question 9

what happens if your 18 and you had open heart surgery can you still get a tattoo?

Accepted Answer

Prophylaxis: A tattoo should be safe but depending on what type of surgery was performed you may need to take antibiotics before the tattooing to protect from infecting anything artificial or structurally abnormal left in the heart. Best to know the details of what was done and if antibiotic prophylaxis recommended for other procedures like dental work.

Question 10

can i get an easy to understand explanation of ecg, angioplasty - open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Heart procedures: An ECG or ekg, electrocardiogram, measures the electrical activity of the heart.  It can give an indication of abnormal heart rhythm, heart attacks or many other conditions.  An angioplasty is when a small balloon and/or a stent is used to treat a blocked artery in the heart.  Open heart surgery is used to describe surgery on the heart, typically for coronary artery bypass or valve related surgery.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How do i get an open heart surgery scar to disappear

A member asked:

How do i get an open heart surgery scar to disappear?

A member asked:

How can i get an open heart surgery scar to appear better?

A member asked:

I had open heart surgery as a baby, but i am all grown up now and want to get rid of the scar.?

A member asked:

My 14 week old daughter had an avsd open heart surgery repair which went well. now has a red rash around her scar. what could this reddening be?

A member asked:

My son is 5 months post op from open heart surgery. he has a rash around his chest scar. it is a red sandpaper feeling. normal or call the ped.

A member asked:

2 questions:can i now start using neosporin on my scar?what do you think of trying to conceive 6 months after open heartsurgery? i am 24 years old and i had open heart surgery called the ross procedure on november 2nd, 2011 due to my bicuspid aortic valve

A member asked:

Can a two-tear-old get open heart surgery?

A member asked:

I need the heart diet? is when your going to get open heart surgery and need to lose weight fast.

A member asked:

What happens if your 18 and you had open heart surgery can you still get a tattoo?

A member asked:

Can i get an easy to understand explanation of ecg, angioplasty - open heart surgery?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?