Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 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

i had open heart surgery n may this year to replace my pulmonary valve. with a bovine tissue valve. when would it be safe to start trying for a baby?

Accepted Answer

Ask cardiologist!: Too complicated to answer without knowing why the valve was replaced, what is the condition of your heart, what meds you are on, how old you are, etc. Ask the surgeon and/or your cardiologist.

Question 8

is it rare to heal quickly after open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Heart surgery: Healing takes place at average rates for the area of the body if the patient is in good shape and has good nutrition. The lower in the body, the slower the healing in general. One can be feeling well rapidly but actual full wound healing has to take its course.

Question 9

can you still have a baby safely after having open heart surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: But it has to be supervised closely with cardiologist and perinatologist.

Question 10

could i do gym after having open heart surgery of asd?

Accepted Answer

ASD: Talk to your doctor. If your repair was successful and things otherwise are good, exercise will be recommended to you. Discuss the form(s) of exercise appropriate for you with the doctors who know you and your condition.

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Doctor answers about:

Scar tissue after open heart surgery

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:

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:

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:

I had open heart surgery n may this year to replace my pulmonary valve. with a bovine tissue valve. when would it be safe to start trying for a baby?

A member asked:

Is it rare to heal quickly after open heart surgery?

A member asked:

Can you still have a baby safely after having open heart surgery?

A member asked:

Could i do gym after having open heart surgery of asd?

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