RPLND Scar

[oequis]

Hi guys. I just tried to post a minute ago but my message got zapped, so I apologize if it appears twice.

I'm 28yo in San Francisco. Right TC, embryonal. Diagnosed and orc in Sept 06. Chemo October-December 06 (3BEP). A residual mass was detected in post chemo CT scans so I'm scheduled for an RPLND this friday, 3/16.

I've read on here that guys have requested internal stitching with medical super glue which minimized scarring considerably. My doctor said he's using absorbable sutures so thankfully there won't be any staples. Really dumb question: is what i'm getting the same thing these guys were talking about. Absorbable sutures=internal stitching and super glue? I'd rather know the answer and risk sounding dumb than keep quiet and continue to wonder.

If it's not the same, have any guys had the surgery done with absorbable sutures? How does the scar look now?

[oequis]

Thanks Robert. That's really encouraging to hear that even w/ staples it was barely noticeable after a year. I'm still not clear though, does using absorbable sutures mean the doctor is doing internal stitching w/ super glue?


Thanks for the advice about walking laps as much as possible. That's what I keep hearing.

I'm also glad to hear this was easier than chemo. Chemo wasn't bad for me. Nausea was extremely well controlled, the main side effect for me was just fatigue. I've pretty much gotten my energy back and exercising a lot so I'm a little bummed about having to recover yet again. I'm sure I'll be back on my feet soon enough.

-Enrique

[boyce]

My RPLND Scar

Had the RPLND in November 06. Had staples (and a damn lot of them)

Scar is still plenty visible, but time will tell if it disappears.

Do walk right away. I walked a mile the day after surgery and it made all the difference!

It is WAY easier tan the Chemo. My chemo ws much like yours - well controled nausea but a lot of fatigue. 2 weeks post RPLND I was back in the office. It gets a little better each day.

Good luck to you!!

[Kev332]

Enrique,

I'd maybe ask your doctor for clearification.... just so your not surprised when you wake up and look at your scar.. I had the internal stitches with the medical superglue... no external stitches what so ever. It healed great! I remember telling my doctor that i didn't want staples and he said "thats fine, we're not going to use stitches either". haha.

Keep up the good work and you'll be back to doing the normal things in no time.

-Kevin

[oequis]

thanks for the advice and encouragement, guys. i appreciate it. I emailed my doc for clarification on whether absorbable sutures is the same as internal stitching and superglue. I know we're not using staples so I'm thrilled about that. He's just taking a while getting back to me.

question about diet: i've read about a low fat diet for pre and post surgery. How long after starting up on solid food can you return to your regular diet?

question about exercise: I've read that you can return to the gym approx 8 weeks after surgery, does that include abs exercises/crunches too? or does it take longer for that? I know it's an individual thing to an extent but a ball park idea would be helpful as a general guideline.

Thanks!

-Enrique

[Margaret]

thanks for the advice and encouragement, guys. i appreciate it. I emailed my doc for clarification on whether absorbable sutures is the same as internal stitching and superglue. I know we're not using staples so I'm thrilled about that. He's just taking a while getting back to me.

question about diet: i've read about a low fat diet for pre and post surgery. How long after starting up on solid food can you return to your regular diet?

question about exercise: I've read that you can return to the gym approx 8 weeks after surgery, does that include abs exercises/crunches too? or does it take longer for that? I know it's an individual thing to an extent but a ball park idea would be helpful as a general guideline.

Thanks!

-Enrique

At Sloan Kettering they have no real 'pre-surgery diet' to speak of, except for the day before...but after they do not allow you to eat or drink (even ice chips) for about 5 days post surgery. Once you are sent home, you are not allowed any fat or meat products for at least 2 weeks. I cooked my husband fat free veggies, egg beaters (fat free kind only) and baked potato with fat free sour cream. He got sick of it fast but went back to eating low fat in a few weeks. Of course once he waited five days for a sip of water, he was easy to please . About 3.5 weeks after surgery he ate Christmas dinner and enjoyed a taste of everything.

Apple juice was the first item with flavor he was able to have on day 6 and even though it is 4 months later, he still craves apple juice...i guess he has really fond memories of it

Hope this helps...let me know if I can offer any further information.

Margaret

[oequis]

I emailed my doctor again to ask about stitching. He's doing absorbable sutures and tape rather than super glue. He assures me the wound will look good.

Has anyone had the kind of stitching my doc plans to use? Any thoughts on what it looks like when you get absorbable sutures and tape?

Thanks,
Enrique

[Russell's Mom]

our experience

Hi,
Where is California are you being treated? Just curious. I work as a nurse and am a mom of TC survivor. My son Russell just had his RPLND. His friends refer to the changes as "a manly scar!!!!" I can understand your concerns. It is amazing the techniques that they use these days, I think you will be surprised. (Russell had 7 1/2 hours of surgery, then surprised me with the fact that he went snowboarding, light style, 3 1/2 weeks post-op!) One thing that will cause a scar to remain visible is if it becomes infected. There will be instructions on how to take care of the wound and be sure to tell the nurse if you see red edges or fluid from the wound. Good luck, sweet dreams while you sleep!! Russell's mom, Sharon