Bio oil for scars

Hi, I had my PM 2 weeks ago. My work Occupational Health person suggested that I should use bio oil on the scar to improve it appearance for the future. She said it was ok to use very brisk deep kneading rubbing movements on the scar. I am worried about touching the scar especially so vigorously when it is so new and tender. Does anybody else treat the scar with anything?

I did some ironing today with my right hand and my scar felt a bit painful (left side). Can you tell if you have done any damage to the leads? Is it ok to lie on your left side in bed to go to sleep?
Thank you
Bryony

8 Comments

Don't do it

by NiceNiecey - 2014-02-17 04:02:02

I am a newby also but had my PM implanted Christmas Eve. There is NO WAY I would go deep massaging the implant site - ever - but especially so close to the surgery. My incision site looks great w/o anything on it (eg. oil). But it is still swollen and hurts if I rub it. Just leave it alone (I sound like my mother) and it should heal on its own.

Scars

by bmccasland - 2014-02-17 05:02:27

I agree, I think you should avoid the massaging and oils. Did you already remove the steristrips from the implant site?Your getting close in time for your interrogation of the PM.

No way

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-17 05:02:41

I wouldn't do any deep massage on the implant site. Especially after two weeks. At two weeks my scar was sore, implant site was sore, PM pocket was sore. Still don't want anyone touching that area except myself.

After 90 days the swelling went down and I was able to touch the site, but even then I didn't want any pressure on the area. Since the leads go behind that area I don't want any movement in that area either.

Ironing shouldn't mess with the leads. You've got to have a pretty good whack to dislodge the leads. Something like a very bad car accident. If whatever happens dislodges the leads you'll usually have more things to worry about than dislodged leads.

We have people on the site with PM's who are skydiving, scuba diving, running marathons, weight lifting, and a whole bunch of other stuff. They don't dislodge leads in their activity. So, as you can see, ironing isn't anywhere near the activity of those sports.

After the scar has healed and the site isn't so tender (about 90 days) you can get the scar removal cream and use that if you'd like.

I see a licensed massage therapist, get deep massage, and she doesn't get anywhere near the PM pocket. First, because it's so sore. Second, possible danger to the leads. Like I said, I won't let anyone touch the PM scar.

A lot of people on this site with PM's are pretty active. So you can go out and enjoy life.

Theknotguy

Still can only sleep on my right side.

by JuneBug - 2014-02-17 08:02:50

I asked the guy from Medtronic last week when did he think I would feel like sleeping on my left side? it's been 3 & 1/2 weeks since I got the PM.....he told me it could take a year.

Scar treatment

by golden_snitch - 2014-02-18 03:02:32

Hi!

Don't know why everyone here is so apprehensive about scar treatment.

I start gently massaging it with oil or a basic rich cream at least twice/day as soon as the stitches have dissolved. Usually that's 10-14 days after surgery. Have been told to do so by a professor in dermatology and my physical therapist. With scar treatment the earlier you start, the better. Professor said that in the past one told the patients to wait for several weeks or even months, but that this has changed due to research, and now one advises the patients to start scar treatment as soon as possible. I did nothing after my first implant, and got a really ugly keloid, reddish scar (that's why I saw that professor).

You don't massage the whole pacemaker pocket, just the scar, and you don't apply pressure, at least not in the beginning. Just gentle massaging until the cream/oil has absorbed. The massaging is important because it improves the blood flow and warms the tissue which in turn helps with the skin regeneration. I have had six more pacemaker surgeries since, and after that first ugly scar, allows did as the doctor said: never got a keloid, reddish scar again.

In my opinion you don't need to spend much money on special creams or oils as baby oil or a rich cream does the job, too.

By the way, if an experienced doctor put the pacer/ICD/CRT in, the leads are burried under the device. They should definitely not be directly under the scar tissue! That would be really bad for the healing of the scar, and it can be dangerous because the leads can actually rub their way through the scar tissue (which is new, and thin, and breaks more easily).

Best wishes

Inga

P.S. It's been five weeks since my last surgery, and I have been able to sleep on the left side and on my tummy since post surgery week two or three. A whole year? Shouldn't take that long.

Bio Oil

by mtaylor - 2014-02-18 12:02:25

I use bio oil on my ICD scar, as well as my trach scar. It helps, they both have faded more than I think they would have otherwise, and I think they are still improving. However, I am not at all convinced that there is anything special about bio oil that baby oil couldn't do for a fraction of the price.

(Let me add that I started with bio oil about 8 months after my implant)

scar

by trish - 2014-02-19 01:02:02

I am using silicone scar strips over my healed scar. Am 5+ weeks post implant. I had great results using over surgical scar 15months ago. If you choose to do so get a good quality silicone strip I purchased mine from Plastic surgery office, Trish

Norwex for healing

by Phoenix8 - 2014-02-20 08:02:27

I am just two weeks from having my pm inserted. I'm not sure if you have Norwex in Uk but I have been showering with the bacterial free cloth draped over the op site. They are infused with silver. It is healing really well. I can tell that it will heal with little scaring. My friend who is the Norwex distributor has seen remarkable results with a motorbike accident patient with gravel rash on his face doing exactly as I have just explained.
Maybe use the bio oil after it has healed completely.
Also reiki is wonderful for scars. I do reiki & my girlfriend who had a double mastectomy now has no scars at all. We affectionately call her barbie now cause she has no nipples but perfect breasts. Hehe

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