Full of ???'s....2 more: vitamin E and incision glue.

[spiritualabundance]

Advice please. I was told to use Vitamin E oil on my breasts and incision. When I do, my entire chest tightens instantly and is uncomfy. I've switched to lotion and am considering castor oil but my incision glue is still in place.

Questions: #1-What have you used to keep skin moisturized in prep for reconstruction and what have you used for the scar healing and what was the result of each?

Question: #2-How long before your mast incision glue began pealing? I don't ever want it to stop holding me together but my port incision glue is almost completely gone so I know it's coming....uggg.

Thanks for the tips, advice, suggestions, encouragement! !!!

[MaineRottweilers]

I am certain that someone will come along soon and have some advice. I just wanted to reassure you that your incision is held together by suture under the skin and by this time is well healed. The glue is not of any benefit now so if it's coming off, it's ok, it was never meant to be structural just lending support in the initial days of healing (5-7).

I did not have reconstruction but I did use vit E on my incisions but I don't think it made any real difference and if it's causing a superficial reaction, I would hesitate to continue using it. I would check the ingredients to make sure that it is just pure Vit. E and has no additives as it would likely be the additives causing the reaction.

As far as prepping your skin of reconstruction, someone is sure to weigh in. I hope you get some good input.

Hope

[spiritualabundance]

Thank you Tracy. You are amazing!! I love seeing your face on my threads. Praying for you. For all of us! God bless!

[Lucy]

I had gone in for one of my follow ups and was told I could peel the glue off. I can't remember how long it had been on at that time though - a couple of weeks maybe?

I didn't and don't apply anything to my scarred area. It was never mentioned and everything seems to be okay. I also didn't have reconstruction so can't speak to that.

Good luck!

[Becky]

Aquaphor healing ointment. Its the best

[mburkhart]

I was told pure lanolin oil works so I used it. My plastic surgeon is very pleased with my skin condition even after 30 rads! I have virtually no scars after a skin/nipple saving mastectomy. I am continuing to use the lanolin oil every other day as we do the expansion in preparation for DEIP flap surgery. It is very, very thick so mix in a drop or two of water and it spreads on nicely. Certainly has worked for me :)

[bevaschia]

HI Spiritual Abundance. :-) when I met the lymphedema specialist after an earlier day appointment with the surgeon, I was told I could begin to peel off the glue and start using lotion along the incisions and chest skin for two reasons. Along the incision line, you are stimulating the nerve endings to grow and regain feeling. I can already tell a difference. I was told I probably won't get rid of all the numbness, but the massaging/stimulating of adding the lotion will help. The second reason was to keep the skin Pliable and not tight. They suggested uncented lubriderm. It's not greasy or too thick, but absorbs well. I do this three times a day for about 10 minutes. After shower, after work, and right before bed. Started at about 3 weeks after double mastectomy.