Do you wear scar tape when exercising/running?
How many hours a day do you wear it and what do you do when you’re not wearing it? (Ex: putting on Aquafor or Vaseline). Are you supposed to keep it moisturized all the time?
How many times a day do you massage your scar and for how many minutes?
Finally cleared and had my bandage strip removed. Tried to massage my scar with Vaseline and only last 2 minutes. Just feels so sensitive. I’m barely applying pressure on the scar itself and mostly just around it.
Did anyone else have anything they did that made it feel better? Or does it just get better with time?
Otherwise I’m just doing that and using the scar tape.
Does the scar tape protect it from the sun if I wear it while outside?
I’m including 2 photos since the lighting is different in both. I feel like I don’t even know where the scar is other than the tiny thing that looks like a cut. I put Vaseline on it and letting it “air out” from finally getting the strip off.
What do you guys think?
I just have to say, even though I don’t regret going the medication route to try for remission, I am so happy with my TT and almost don’t want to say it but wish I did it sooner but still happy with my journey.
I get my blood work done at the end of the month so I don’t know my levels currently with the Levo medication but I am just shocked at how I’m eating more and yet maintaining the same weight.
Also, my energy, hormones, don’t really know what else to call it, feel so much more consistent day to day now versus with Graves. I don’t feel the up and down that I used to feel before and that makes me really happy.
So far recovery has been really great, no calcium issues, and honestly just can’t wait to get this strip off my neck and actually wash my neck haha.
So glad I found all the positive stories for TT when I did and am so grateful for this community. It does get better. A lot better. ♥️
I’m 7 days post-op and my scar is healing so nicely. I did have a question:
How long did it take for your swelling to go down? Mine is swollen on the top part of my scar only. Just curious how long it takes.
I’m on day 5 of recovery and I am suprised at how well I am recovering.
First 1-2 days: exhausted, super hungry and was able to eat real foo, swallowing was painful but manageable (maybe like a 6-7 on a pain scale). My voice sounded like I had a sore throat but I was able to talk but didn’t want to stress my nerves and vocal cords too much. Started taking my Levo first thing in the morning and then everything else 4 hours later (as directed by my endo).
Day 3: my swallowing pain is essentially gone, if not only a 2-3 on a pain scale. Still taking 1 Tylenol every 6 hours and the ibuprofen for inflammation. My energy comes and goes but feeling really good and I was able to finally take a shower which felt so good. Doing light activities around the house. Sore throat is gone (took lots of cough drops to help) and voice is basically back to normal other than some tightness in my throat from the scar.
Day 4: I basically feel back to normal other than a tight neck, sleeping like a baby since surgery. Still taking things easy and focusing on resting. No numbness or tingling from calcium, so far so good.
Today is day 5 and I’m feeling good and my voice is normal other than occasional tightness but no hoarseness.
The only con I would say is the TUMS are making me really bloated and constipated. I know it’s required to take them and I’m hoping my blood work next week shows that I can reduce my intake but sheesh they’re nasty and my stomach is feeling yucky.
Hoping things continue to go smoothly and I’ll post another update sometime next week or when I can finally see my scar.
Woke up at 6:30, drank as much water as I could and then had the pre-surgery shake 2 hours before arrival (way better cold). No fluids after that. Last food was eaten the night before.
Got to the hospital and checked in, filled out a questionnaire and got taken into the Pre Op room. Had the best nurse and they had this inflatable blanket, omg so warm. Answered questions and slowly started taking Tylenol, anesthesia medicine, etc., with some small water (thank god). Then she put the IV into my hand and ouch that hurt.
Anesthesiologist and doctor came by about 2 hours later and told me my room is getting ready so I knew I was close. Those 2 hours felt short and long with everything going on. I felt like I had the best nurses around me.
Went into the OR, they added some liquid into my IV to help me relax and boom woke up in post Op. I felt super shitty, nausea a little, and groggy. Laid for a little bit more and then my husband helped me get dressed and they wheel chaired me out.
Got home at 5pm, had some soft bread with avocado and yogurt and took all my calcium and pills and drank lots of water. Swallowing sucked but I think the cold water helped. After taking the Tylenol, my throat feels so much better and the food gave me back energy and nausea went away.
Best news of all, doctor said the surgery went very smooth and no damage to my vocal cords and parathyroids!! Basically he told my husband I should heal quickly. I am over the moon. I love my doctor and endo.
So so happy and going to be resting a lot to help with recovery.
I hope that helps anyone who has one coming up soon. Do your best even with swallowing hurting, to get soft foods in after and yogurt (it has calcium too). You’ll feel so much better once you do. And lots of water. Take your meds right away.
I’ll keep you guys posted on my scar. It’s covered with bandage right now.
SO grateful for this community. I was scared at first when I entered the Pre Op and then after waiting I was just ready to go (also helped having an amazing doctor).