After open abdominal surgery do any precautions at home or over-the-counter products help reduce visible scars?

Abdominal scarring: Great question. No definitive answer is available. Avoiding wound tension is one of the most important measures. To that end, i prefer the ease and practicality of paper tape 24x7 for 6 weeks, if possible (hair or open wound precludes). Silastic gel sheeting is probably next on the option list; if not possible silicone ointments are an option but not fully efficacious. High SPF sunblocks advised.

Scars: It has been proven that if you massage the wound daily with simply olive oil or other natural substance like cocoa butter cand decrease the amount of scarring. It requires dedication. You can do this 5-10 minutes everyday. Massage in one direction then perpendicular to initial direction.

Yes: Scar massage is very important. Silicone applied to scars will also improve their appearance. I recommend scar guard as well because it has liquid silicone and a small amount of steroid to minimize scars.

It depends: It depends on what kind of surgery you had, what kind of incision was made and how it was closed. In general, no products have been proven to diminish visible scars, but some options do exist.

Yes: Silicone strips or tape (mepiform is one brand) works very well and can be left in place for 3 weeks at a time. Massage, compression also help. The healing process takes a year or more so be committed to working on it for a while.

Scars: Scars are permanent but several things can be done to help them fade better. Avoid sun. Massage scars. Topical silicone sheets or gel. These are the most effective. Keep in mind that it takes a full year for a scar to mature and you can and should do above for that time.

Keeping paper tape : On it is easy & cheap. Silicone- backed products and mederma. Massage and keep sun off of it.

Silicone gel or vitE: Vitamin e oil or a silicone gel scar-fading product (such as mederma) applied topically can often speed up the scar maturation process, but it will still take at least 6 months. So be patient!