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Open Heart Surgery
Scar
(Shown In The Intensive Care Unit)
This open heart surgery scar resulted
from my aortic and
pulmonary valve
replacements (via the
Ross Procedure) on
December 21, 2005.
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Topic: Open Heart Surgery Scar - How Big Is The Scar? How Well Does An Open Heart Surgery Scar Heal?
Depending on the type of open heart surgery, patients will be left with some form of open heart surgery scar. If you have a minimally invasive procedure, the scar size may only be three inches.
However, if you require a surgical procedure in which your sternum is broken, the incision is typically much larger. For men, the scar can be up to 10 inches long. For women, the open heart surgery scar can be up to 8 inches long. The size of the open heart surgery scar is directly correlated to the size of the sternum (chest bone).
Believe it or not, many people are very curious to see an open heart surgery scar. That is why I have shown some personal pictures of my heart bypass scar.
I'll never forget when Dave Navarro, who is a family friend, asked to see it during a filming of his show, Rock Star: INXS. I obliged. Dave Navarro's response was, "Wow. That is gnarly!" I laughed. I never thought my open heart surgery scar would be called "Gnarly!" by a rock guitar legend.
As you can see in these pictures, open heart surgery scars can heal quite well. Certain scar treatment products, like Mederma, can really help the skin heal.
Open Heart Surgery Scar
One Week After Heart
Valve Replacement
So you know, the picture of me on the beach (below) was taken 10 months after my open heart surgery. You can see that my open heart surgery scar is barely visible. Today, I'm more than 20 months post-op and my open heart surgery scar is barely visible.
After Using Mederma (Picture of Adam Pick)
10 Months After Open Heart Surgery Scar
Yes, I can see the scar. But, for most people they have to really, really, really look to discover the fact that I had double heart valve replacement surgery.
Keep on tickin!
 Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual, open-heart surgery patient. This special book was designed to minimize stress and enhance the patient's recovery by providing a detailed account of the heart valve surgery experience from the patient perspective - from diagnosis through recovery.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HEART VALVE SURGERY - CLICK THE LINKS BELOW: |
