RPLND Scar

[Bgriggs]

I am having a RPLND done next Thurs. on the 6th. I ask the Dr. how I would be closed up. He said staples. I would like to avoid scaring as much as possible. I am requesting I be closed up with internal stitching. I talked with a plastic surgeon and he told me to request that. I'm still young and like to my abs in the summer. Has anyone else come across this problem?

[dadmo]

Staples are the standard, I don't know if having regular stitching will make the scar any less noticeable. This one really is a matter of letting time make it fade. Certainly keep us posted on your success with that, as you can imagine we have a lot of people that will be interested.

[JimmyDean]

yeah, Im kinda young and single too..and it's rough my man. I have a scar thats very noticeable... what can you do...its a good reminder of the toughness I've been through and shows how much stronger I am as opposed to someone without the scar. I understand though because it brings up questions like, what happened?, but nobody really knows what its from. I really dont have any answer to this problem as it is an issue for me to this day. But who really gives a ****..I'm alive and life is beautiful!! remember..chicks dig scars :-)

[Kev332]

Bgriggs,

I had internal stitches when I had my RPLND... there were no external stitches or staples. For an incision that big, my scar looks great. I'll have to take a picture and show you. I believe they used some sort of "glue" to secure the external portion of the incision and of coarse the steri strips.

Take care,
Kevin

[JimmyDean]

well I wished they used that for me. I remember them taking out the staples one by one. Ouch, Ouch, Ouch, Ouch...lol about 60 or so of those bad boys...lol.

[Russell Hammer]

scars?

I love my RPLND scar. I have one adjacent to it from my open biopsy. I also have bald scars on the back of my head from the reaction I had during chemo-radiation last January/FEbruary. If people want to know I am happy to tell them that I beat cancer! It's awesome. Where it as a badge.

[IowaBrian]

My orc they did internal with super glue nothing like the RPLND scar.
I think they have to do internal or stuff would fall out due to hernia
I believe they use the staples to close the skin just a faster way to get you out of the operating room. I will ask the DOC the next time I go in in a couple weeks. Darn doctors might as well get something for the money they make Paging .....Any doctors on the board ???????
I know from all the work comp claims I worked on the plastics made them put Vit E oil (I think) on the scar to help it heal but RPLND is no plastic surgery scar.. it would take a plastic hours to stitch you up... the general will just staple you together no fancy micro stitches for this.

Brian

[Bgriggs]

Rplnd

Hello all, I had my RPLND done on Thurs. 7/6/06. It is now Sunday afternoon about 2:00. I am feeling very well. The surgery only took 3 1/2 hrs. The Doc was very pleased with everything. The mass has grew to 6" but did not damage anything(the left kidney). The path reports will be back later this week. I should get to go home tomorrow or early Tues. As for the closing up, the Doc answered my request about using internal stitching and the final closing with the super glue. Some of the nurses said I would hardly have a scar. I anyone has anymore questions on my surgery, feel free to ask. Thank you all for your replies, it's been a big help. My progress is also updated daily on:

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/billygriggs

[Scott]

Great news! Rest and recover.

[Kev332]

Thats great Bgriggs. I'm glad your doctor was able to do that. Wishing you a quick and healthy recovery.

[justinsmom]

Hi Billy, I am the mother of Justin a (now) 21 year old TC survivor. I just read your posts and wanted to let you know that yes there are others who have gone the road before you. Justin had 4 rounds of BEP and then a full-bilateral RPLND last Nov to remove a large teratoma. He also said the chemo was worse (and his surgery was 11 hours) He did have some complications but the main thing is to get up and move around and walk, walk, walk. I'll be praying for a quick recovery for you-God Bless, Lanette ><>

[Mom]

Billy, you sound just great. We will all have to look at that scar. You might be starting something here. My husband had his done 26 years ago and it is just awful, but at the time, we only cared that he lived. Speedy recovery and keep posting! Dianne

[mndan2006]

Good to hear!

I have a question for you if you dont mind. I will be going in for a ct scan after having removal of the testicle and rplnd might be the path for me depending on the outcome of this CT. Have you had any complications with anything at all thus far? And is the pain dreadful after surgery?


Thanks,
Dan

Hello all, I had my RPLND done on Thurs. 7/6/06. It is now Sunday afternoon about 2:00. I am feeling very well. The surgery only took 3 1/2 hrs. The Doc was very pleased with everything. The mass has grew to 6" but did not damage anything(the left kidney). The path reports will be back later this week. I should get to go home tomorrow or early Tues. As for the closing up, the Doc answered my request about using internal stitching and the final closing with the super glue. Some of the nurses said I would hardly have a scar. I anyone has anymore questions on my surgery, feel free to ask. Thank you all for your replies, it's been a big help. My progress is also updated daily on:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/billygriggs

[Bgriggs]

Rplnd

The only complications I had was when I woke up. They did not have my pain drugs right, so when they woke me up, it was really bad. They had to hit me 3 times with morphine before I went back out. Other than that the path report came back negitive for cancer other than the teratoma they took out. As far as the after pain, do about 2000 set ups and that's about how it feels. I'm on my 3rd week post and I'm feeling good. I take a dose of hydrocodone in the morning and a dose at night. So I would say everything went well. And if you have read it.... the chemo is worse than the surgery. Feel free to ask any more questions.

Billy

[Bgriggs]

Pic of RPLND Scar

Here's the pic of my RPLND incision for those of you that wanted to see. I requested to be closed up by internal stitches and the med glue. This is a week after surgery.

Billy