I wonder if anyone can help me with the anxiety of looking at me scars for the first time, ive had a double mastectomy on 3rd dec and my dressings are coming off on tue 16th Dec and ive had a glue seal rather than steri stripes as im allergic to them, has anyone got any advice or experiences of this??
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Hi Claspe, Don’t worry. I have had glue for my mastectomy and lymph node clearance back in 2019. Glue for a bowel cancer operation in 2024 and this year glue following a hernia repair to my stomach area. Yes the glue does stay for a very long time but I hate the idea of having stitches taken out so for me it has been great. I did not even have dressings on for any of these operations, so got to see the glue scars immediately. They look much better than looking at stitches.. Eventually the glue falls off, generally in the shower. The scars fade and my mastectomy scars hardly show at all now. Just remember not to pick at the glue. You will be pleasantly surprised when you see your white glue. You take care. I will be thinking of you. Big hugs. Sunshine21.
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Oh thankyou so so much Sunshine ive been really worried cause when the BCN saw the scar when she changed the dressing, I didnt look BTW, she seemed surprised and said it looked puckered, so ive been thinking all sorts in my head. I’m so sorry that you’ve had to go through so much surgery 
I’m really grateful to hear from you with such a positive vibe, thankyou so much again. Do you have any tips on scar massage, like what you used to add moisture, how often you did it or still do it, and how long a double mastectomy scar takes to look ok? Xx
Hi @claspe
Sorry your going through this , I had both steristrips and second one glue , when I first saw the scarring thought it looked pucked ,I was told when healed to massage my scars they look great now no puckering very neat at first it’s a shock but you will find they are plastic surgeons and do there best to make you look good it just takes time to heal and get used to what has happened , good luck take care xx
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Thankyou so much for your reply sorry that you’ve had to go through this too, just so many of us its hard to get ya head around, until your diagnosed yourself you just never understand how many ladies go through this. You reply has made me less worried about the glue which will help me on tues, thanks so so much for that 
xx
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My nurse in the BC clinic swore by massage over the scar. She was adamant I did this as it breaks scar tissue down and keeps the scar looking flat and smooth. You have to wait for the dressings to come off and only do when they say it’s okay. Use any oil as long as it’s organic and massage as many times as you can. I’m really happy with my mastectomy scar almost four years on. It’s white, smooth and completely flat. I’m convinced the massaging helped. My consultant also said massage was fine for me but it’s wise to check. is usually contraindicated in salons. It’s not nice and very nerve wracking looking at the scars for the first time. Stay strong and good healing.
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Thankyou frances55 I have watched a really good video on utube for mastectomy massage it was brilliant and really informative. I am going to speak to my surgeon on 22nd Dec when I see him, I’ve done some research and it looks like its about 6 to 8 before I should start massage, im massaging my arms already as the nerve pain is very sore and the massage helps. I’ve looked at Tamanu oil which looks brilliant for scars so I’m gonna mention that to my surgeon and see what he says. How often did you massage your scar 1 or 2 a day?? Thankyou for your reply its very helpful to hear from people in my position xx
Hi claspe,
I massaged the scar certainly twice a day and sometimes during the day. I don’t think it matters as long as you do it daily, really concentrating on the scar and pressing firmly. I was trying to remember what I used and I think it was an organic oil with arnica that I got on Amazon. The arnica helped with any bruising too. x
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Thankyou for the advice I will certainly do it morning lunch and night, can I ask you said your 4 years on have you continued to moistures and massage your scar or does there come a point where you stop doing it? X
Hi claspe,
I don’t massage any more as once you get past 6 months or so I don’t think it makes that much difference. It’s important to do it in the early days post surgery and only after you’ve had your check up with the nurse. It’s good to stay vigilant though. You may feel all sorts of lumps and bumps when you’re healing and it can be quite scary. Very often you may feel a hard rubbery lump. It’s quite common, and whilst it’s always important to get things checked, it is usually fat necrosis which is a type of scar tissue after surgery. Later massage is useful for checking yourself too. Just do what feels right for you. x
Thankyou frances55 thats very helpful and yeh i imagine that I will feel alsorts of lumps and bumps and like you say its whatever feels right for me, thankyou for your help xx
Remember that your scars will change from when you first see them. I was recommended initially kelo vote gell and then silicone strips both of which you can purchase from Amazon and are cheaper than the high street. I also see a great care physio who does some scar massage so may be worth asking your medical team if this is an option. X
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Thankyou, yeh ive taken my first photo I’m going to do one each week so I can see the progress. We’re you offered physio or did you ask the BCN to arrange for some?
I had a long term problem with my shoulders so was referred before surgery. Luckily at my hospital they had just started a breast care physio ‘team’, I have continued to see her regularly and she does scar therapy and is keen to keep seeing me to make sure I am okay to for radiotherapy. It may be worth looking up what scar therapy there is in your area x
Right thats interesting I’ll look in to that when the surgeon says I’m ready xx