“Did You Have A Bump At The Top Of Your Incision?” Asks Alice
Alice just sent me a great question about incision and scar care after heart valve surgery.
She writes, “Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin. My concern is the top of the scar — around and above the top of the incision is a big protruding lump. It is soft, not hard, and is not sore. Did this happen to you? Thanks, Alice”
Patient Incision After Heart Valve Surgery
Alice’s question just brought back a distinct memory from my early recovery. Like Alice, I also had a bump at the top of my incision. It wasn’t very noticeable but I questioned Dr. Starnes, my surgeon, about the bump during my surgical follow-up.
Dr. Starnes assured me that the bump was completely normal and that the swelling would go down. As you can see in the picture above, there is a raised bump at the top of the patient’s scar.
Well, Dr. Starnes was right. In a few weeks, the swelling went down and then… disappeared. Now, you can barely even tell I had open heart surgery.
Two Years After Surgery… My Scar Fades
I hope this helps Alice (and perhaps you) learn more about incision healing - especially bumps at the top of the scar.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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November 13th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi there, my husband had an aortic valve replaced 5 weeks ago, and the bump at the top of the scar (where the skin was gathered “when sewing”) has disappeared and the scar looks smooth!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I too had a lump. It was just as you explained. The bump does go down and before you know it, your scar will be looking really good. So again, don’t worry!!! Take care!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I have had two aortic valve replacements and each time I had a lump at the top of my incision which went away with time. My advice is be patient and it will fade away !!
Stephen Waxman
Ottawa Canada
November 14th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I had the lump and also had like an indentation……I have used mederma on the incision especially the top and it has really helped. The tube cost around $20 but last along time…I suggest you use that. Jean Karloski
November 14th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Include me in the Lumpy Club, except it is small and and the bottom of the incision and used Mederma for 10 months after the operation. Helped a lot.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I had mitral valve surgery 3 weeks ago and have the same bump now. I was wondering what it was about and whether it would go away. Thanks to all for answering my question.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Mitral valve repair & one year later and my scar has a big bump at the bottom . . . and the entire thing is sort of bumpy and gets itchy. Use the Mederma as per label directions. Give the incision a full year to heal and if you are not pleased, go to a dermatologist and have them fix the scar for you. I remain, however, thrilled that I can run around and play with no restrictions for the 1st time in 53 years
November 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I had aortic valve replacement and aortic grafting 13 days ago, and I’m lumpy, too. I also have an occasional clicking sound (which is gross!!!). Has anyone else experienced this?
November 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Dale. Do you have mechcinal valve? I have heard a few people with that have said they heard a clicking sound. I too had an aortic valve replacement (I have a tissue valve), it will be 3 weeks wednesday, I also have the same type of gathering/lump at the top,. I had Open Heart Surgery when I was 4 and had the same gathering there it eventually when down, and just looked a bit different compared to the rest of my scar. My most recent, I am 26, and this seems to be already healing alot better and looks smaller than the end result of my last. Hopefully all will look good soon, but either way I am heathly and happy!
November 16th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I also had a bump which dissapeared. Now 5 months later I have all these little bumps down the center and at the bottom which apparently is the wire holding my sternum together (im thin so you can feel it) One of the bumps sticks out quite a bit and is quite painfull so I am having a ct scan to see how stable my sternum is and they might take out the wire, (or at least snip off the painfull part) Other than that everything is great!
November 16th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Hi Rachel. I have a tissue valve as well, so it isn’t that. It’s also very sporadic — a few times a day. The Visiting Nurse says it’s from twisting, which I will now try to stop (didn’t know I was twisting, actually). My scar, after two weeks, is looking remarkably good — not ready for evening gowns yet, but not as bad as I had expected. I’m sorry to hear, on the one hand, that you’ve had to go through this twice, but glad, on the other, that the option was available and that you’re doing well.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I am to undergo aorta and aotic valve replacement next week, I am having a “Pig Valve”.
Is there any advice you can give me regarding post operation?
Can I sleep on my side as normal?
Do I have to do/not do anything special?
November 17th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I had an aortic valve replaced in 2001 and I also have bumps going down my chest. I am slender so they are really noticeable. They are hard (like bone or the sternal wires) but are not painful, they just look wieird. I wish there was some way to get rid of them.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Hello,
I had aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve 3 weeks ago. I feel I am recovering well but at the top of my incision there are 2 tiny pieces of wire sticking out of my chest! Maybe 4 to 6 millimeters long. Has anyone else had this. Should I go to doctor and get them cut? Thanks
Darren
November 20th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
So I am now 3 weeks and 2 days post -op, and my scar is finally down to no scabs and just one left on my chest tube site. Sad to report I will be going back to the hospital because I have an aortic aneurysm. I am thankful for each day, but sadden that I have to go back due to more issues post op. I spent 2 days in the hospital dealing with pleural effusions after I was first sent home, Did anyone else have any issues like this?
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I had a huge bump at the top of my minnimalinvasive aortic valve replacement in May of ‘09.
Not only is the bump gone, but so is the scar!!!! I think that my surgeon, Prem Shakar of Brigham and Womens in Boston, is not only a wonderful Doctor and surgeon, but also an artist!!!
January 7th, 2010 at 4:04 am
hi i am keshav 15 yr old i had avr 1 year ago but the lump at the top has not
gone what should i do it doesnt pain but feels weird