Does the scar ever start to REALLY fade? This is gross, but did your incision line get pretty thick, at least for a while? I realize I've only had 1 c-section, but I really thought it would be decreasing by now. (It's been 13mths.) One inch on either side is barely a pink line that you can't feel, and the rest in the middle is thick and dark. I know that no one but dh and I see it, but I'm self-conscious about it. Does it ever get better and be 'barely there', or will it be like this always?

By Vicki on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:01 pm:

My dd will be 11 in December and my scar is still very much there. I would say that it probably faded, but not by tons. This is going to sound strange, but it is also kind of numb feeling across it too. Have no idea if that makes sense to anyone that doesn't experience the same thing. LOL

By Crystal915 on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:07 pm:

My scar is now 3 years old, and you can BARELY see it (it's very low but I shave) and you can only feel a thread-like line. It was originally 7 inches (I asked the doc LOL) and is now less than 4. Vicki, I had decreased sensation over my scar for a while, but it eventually either went back to "normal" or I've grown so used to it that I don't realize it. The only lasting effect I have is it will itch sometimes, only over the scar, and drive me CRAZY. So Deanna, I know mine is now barely noticable, but I guess it can also depend on the incision, your body, etc. Did you have stitches or staples? I had dermabond, I'm not sure if that makes a difference either.

By Jtsmom on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:24 pm:

My first c-section was almost 5 yrs ago, just had another one 1 yr ago. But before Luke was born, you could still very much see and feel my scar. On the ends, the color has faded a little but most of it is still red and thick feeling.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:26 pm:

My scar is 13 years old. Well, 16, if you count the first one. It's pretty faded. I just looked. You can see it, but it's not that obvious. I'm not wearing a bikini anytime soon, anyway. I have a vertical scar.

My scar still itches, occasionally! Also, the spots on my back, where I had the epidurals, also sometimes itch. Not sure what sets that off, but it's not an everyday thing.

By Tink on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:32 pm:

It sounds like the scar tissue stretched in the middle where the scar is thickest. I'm not the best person to ask about whether the scar fades, since I had three C-sections in four years. I have a numb feeling about two inches around the scar but I also get that ITCHY feeling.

The other explanation is that your scar is hypertrophic. All of my scars are like this. Luckily, I don't scar easily. I have a large four inch incision on my upper arm that my kids call my "caterpiller" because each stitch used to close up the incision left a scar that branches off the main scar. If this has happened with you, there really isn't much you can do about it. Mederma is one OTC gel you can apply that might help. There are also several silicone patches that might help.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:42 pm:

13 mos. really isn't that long. Ask your OB/GYN the next time you go in. I've had 2 c-sections, 9 and 7 yrs. ago. The scar is still there and noticeable but not as pronounced as it used to be. I used to be very ticklish on my abdomen but not anymore. Definitely a loss of sensation in that area since my first c-section. Oh Crystal, I hear ya! My scar drives me nuts when it itches because it's not an area you can scratch out in public. LOL! What bothers me is the small ledge that's there that will never go away. I have to choose swimsuits wisely or it will show up. Hmmm, I've never noticed anything at the site of the spinal blocks.

By Crystal915 on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 11:26 pm:

Dawn, my neighbor had trouble with the spots from her epidurals, and a chiropractor who she went to see took one look at her back and said "You've had 2 epidurals." She was floored, since she hadn't mentioned anything about it, but he said they mess with the spinal column. I had a block, I wonder if that's less invasive since there isn't a needle left in for an extended period. Very scary when you think about it! Trina, when you say small ledge, do you mean your scar, or just the way your abdomen sits. I have the pouchy area from being so stretched out, but and it is so ugly! Thank god for control top stuff!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 11:28 pm:

I never had a C-section, but I've had 2 abdominal surgeries - hipbone to hipbone - and 11 and 12 years later, the scar is definitely faded to white, the ends are very thin lines, and only the middle 5"-6" is *thicker* - but thankfully it is just below my bikini line. I always thought the reason mine was thick in the middle was because I was cut twice in the same spot, but maybe that's not why.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 08:42 am:

I had 3 sections, first one 19 years ago and the last almost 5 years. I was cut vertical all 3 times. Mine has faded alot but was very thick after my second section, then when I had Alissa 5 years ago, they took out some of the adhesions and since then its not thick anymore.
I get pain every now and then where I had the epidurals, I always thought that was weird.
Needless to say I will always have that ugly pouch, I have tried everything to get rid of it, Dr. said being cut vertically its hard to get the muscle tone back

By Kolbysmom on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 08:51 am:

After my first one it you couldn't see it at all. It faded back to the color of my skin. However, after the second one, I don't think it's going to look as good as the first one did. Granted, it's only been 3 months.

I never got the feeling back either.

Trina, I also have the c-section "ledge"!! I hate it!!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 09:15 am:

Yes, my scar is like a ledge (if that's what you mean)! That's a good way to describe it! Mine never itches or pulls though, so I'm lucky there I guess. It is numb along the incision line though. I don't know what I had to close the incision....sutures? I know I had some trouble with a few coming out through the skin at around 6 weeks and my doc had to pull them out.
I can still wear a bikini because it's so low, I guess I just hate the "ledge" the most. I wish it was a smooth line. Sounds like maybe it's different for everyone.

Crystal, I still have a red spot where my epidural was. It doesn't hurt or give me any problems, it's just there. I remember I was SO scared about the epidural and it was the easiest part of the whole deal!
Thanks everyone!

By Insaneusmcwife on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 09:54 am:

I have had 2 of them and my scar is pretty much as Crystal describes, very thin and barely there. My last one was 3 years ago and they were able to pretty much follow the first incision line so I only have one scar. On the other hand I had my splien removed when I was 6 and I have a nasty scar running down my belly. I think it depends on how well the surgeon closes you up. With all 3 incisions I had staples.

By Debbie on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 02:25 pm:

I had one c-section. I was lucky because the ob/gyn who delivered me was very big about making the scar look as good as possible. It has been 7 yrs since my c-section and my scar is now thin and almost white. I still have a loss of sensation in that area, which I don't think will ever come back) and it drives me crazy when it itches. I think Kristie is right it depends on how the ob/gyn closes you up and also some people scar more then others.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 02:41 pm:

I think it depends on how well the incision heals. Mine is barely visilble, but it itches in the dry weather (8 years)