Scar prevention and Water

[Zardoz]

I was thinking of getting a tan about two weeks after my op so as not to look totally pale, will this damage scar tissue at all? What preventive measures should I be taking to prevent scarring?

Will I be able to go swimming two weeks after my op?

[toronto]

from what other people have said, sun will permanently discolour the scars making them more visible forever..

swimming? you might be able to, at 2 weeks post op, i wouldn't have, but i'm just going by how i felt at 2 weeks..

[jonQ]

I think that the suggestion is to stay out of the sun for up to 6 months...as for swimming I guess if you feel good enough you can...there's no way that i could have...

[Zardoz]

6 months!

Awww....summer........

Oh well.

[jonQ]

I know dude..it sucks...i had the surgery 3 months ago and i'm supposed to wait till august...it's just to ensure that the scar fades as well as possible...you might be fine sooner...

[Grandpa Bambu]

Looks like this summer is toast for a full body tan Dude.  :-/

You could probably take your shirt off for very short periods at a time but that's about it. Let your scars heal before exposing them to U.V. light for any length of time.

Hey, I just had an idea.... get the highest sunblock there is and put as much as you can on your incisions. When you talk to JCF next, ask him if this is an option.  

John.

[Zardoz]

Or how about....I get the tan BEFORE I get the op!

[jonQ]

These are both good ideas...I'm interested in the 100 sunblock...

[Spleen]

In my case (I'm not sure how it might be for others) my only scars are on the areola.  I live in Florida and will be in the carribbean in about a month so I plan on using SPF 50 on the nips while in the sun.  I think that ought to be sufficient protection.

[jonQ]

you should be dialed...nice in the carribean