Bunionectomy scar?? - Foot Problems Message Board

mbliss · 07-15-2003, 03:32 PM

Hi. I had a bunionectomy on June 25th. So far my recovery has been pretty predictable. I finally got the last of my stitches removed yesterday at my three week appointment. My scar is pretty jagged and blackish. The scar is about three inches long. Is this normal?? It isn't pleasant to look at. I am concerned to take a shower. I forgot to ask my doctor if I should wash the area with soap. It is still really sore but completely healed. Does anyone have any advice on washing the area in the shower? Also, I am walking around without my crutches quite a bit. Do you think I should push walking - or take it easy awhile longer? My doctor expects me to be out of my walking shoe next week. Finally I'll be able to drive!!

Thanks.

Lasoniamacaroni · 07-15-2003, 04:52 PM

Personally I rub my hand in the soap and then lightly wash the area. Mine are a little jagged and a reddish purple. You're lucky you don't have 2 incisions like me. I have been putting on cocoa butter and bag balm several times a day and it seems to be looking better. GOOD LUCK!!!

mbliss · 07-15-2003, 07:01 PM

Thanks for letting me know. I'm scared to touch such a sensitive area. Did you start putting cocoa butter on right after the stitches came out? I heard that it can help to minimize the scar.
Also, does anyone know how long I should expect swelling after a bunionectomy. My foot feels like a balloon at night.

crankyc · 07-16-2003, 12:49 PM

Hi, mbliss,
My Dr. advised me to start using Mederma cream on my incisions (I have 3) about 2 weeks after the stitches were removed, plus a few people on these message boards swear by it. It soothes the incision area and reduces the redness. Most of the drugstore chains carry it, at about $18 a tube. You have to keep using it a few times a day for about 2-3 months. I find it refreshing after a bath, and figure it's worth a try, the time is going to pass anyway, right?
Peace,
Chris

thelittleprincess · 07-16-2003, 03:33 PM

i also use merderma on my scars.

whatever you do - DON"T RUB OFF THE SKIN AROUND THE SCARRED AREA!!! i was so excited to was my left foot after post-op week 4 that i cleaned everything!! top and bottom of my foot - took off all the skin that was flaking off - even the skin near th escar - and it keloid as it healed!!! so ugly. the surgery got that foot was doen on 02/27/03.

but for my right foot (done 06/05/03) i was able to wash it at post-op week 5. this time i only cleared of the dead skin on the bottom of my foot and between toes. i decided to let the skin near th escar fall off naturally. after showers, i'd gently pat the area (make sure you don't accidently tug at any scabs that might have formes). then i applied the merderma. what a difference!!! the scar on my right foot is minimal. gonna have to do some work with my dermatologist for th eone on my lef tfoot.

hope that helps!