:::::***WARNING – GRAPHIC PICTURES***:::::
Wow can you believe it’s been two months since I went under the knife for neck surgery (see post about it thought I may have cancer & Branchial Cleft Surgery Post)?? I can’t believe it.
I remember how I was feeling just three to four months ago when I found out I had a tumor in my neck that could be cancer. It was truthfully the scariest and most stressful few months of my life. I was visiting doctors offices daily for checkups, biopsys, CT scans, MRIs, blood tests and eventually surgery. The word cancer is never easy to hear, especially when you’re young and THOUGHT you were completely healthy!
To sum it up, I had a 2cm tumor in my neck and had to have bronchial cleft neck surgery. The morning I went under the knife, I didn’t know if the tumor would be cancerous or not and would have to wait about a week to find out after it was sent for testing. Not only was that scary as hell, I was also very worried about how the scar on my neck would heal.
Now it’s been over 2 months since surgery and I wish I had better pictures for you guys for this update. To be completely honest, I am actually pretty disappointed on how it’s healing. I really thought it would be less noticeable by now, but it’s still really REALLY noticeable.
I’m hoping it will get better with time…
Since I haven’t posted many pictures yet, I figured it was about time to show you guys.
Here’s a photo timeline of my scar starting with my car ride home from the hospital…
Gosh I was so drugged up in the above picture haha.
4 Days Post Neck Surgery
4 days post neck surgery..still bandaged up.
10 Days Post Surgery
10 days post neck surgery. This was the day I finally got my bandages off. It was the first time I had seen what it looked like…
13 Day Post Surgery Scar Update
15 Day Scar Update
15 days post neck surgery…redness went down a little bit but scaring is very bad.
20 Day Surgery Scar Update
20 days post neck surgery…
One Month Scar Update
One month post neck surgery…scabs are gone and it’s now just a red scar.
7 Week Post Neck Surgery Update Below
9 Week Update
The picture below is 9 weeks post neck dissection surgery pic….
As you can see, the redness and scaring is still VERY obvious.
I’ve been really trying to OWN my scar and try not to let it bother me too much in public but it’s very obvious when I meet someone new and I can see their eyes looking at it while we talk. It definitely makes me self conscious but I’m getting a little used to it, to be honest.
I’m hoping that with time, my neck scar will get better and I’m sure it will.
More updated pics:
3 Month Update
8 Month Update
I had to post an updated pic because it’s been a while. 8 months post surgery and my scar is almost non existent now!!!! Since I moved to Charleston, a lot if my friends say that they never even knew I had a neck scar. I guess it’s healing great, it just took some time. I haven’t used any creams or anything regularly either. I tried Advanced Mederma Scar Cream for a couple of weeks and I do think that helped quite a bit! My scar is still there and I can see it but I’m so grateful on how it is starting to slowly disappear!!
5 Year Update
**Update**
It’s now been 5 years from my surgery date and I wanted to show you how my scar has progressed. It’s almost not even noticeable now! I think by using the scar cream sporadically throughout the years has really helped my recovery. I have also make sure to always put sun screen on my scar when outside for long periods of time.
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Although I’m stuck with this crazy obvious scar for the rest of my life, I’m just so blessed and thankful to know I’m cancer free 🙂 I’d take a scar over cancer ANY day!
Just wanted to give you guys an update because I hate keeping anything from you guys!
Hopefully this may help someone who is researching what to expect post neck surgery or specifically a branchial cleft removal surgery. I searched for weeks upon weeks to find pictures of what the scar may look like, so I hope this is informative to someone, somewhere, some day!
Anyone have any tricks or home remedies to make scars look better or heal faster? Leave me a comment below!
There’s vitamin E capsules you can use that help quite a lot with helping scars fade, and disappear. There’s also a product called Mederma. I’d link you to it, but there’s a lot of different kinds. I think they all do the same thing essentially though and those DO work, I had a scar that was from 9 years of age, so this is easily 20 years ago. It was about 14 inches long up the front of my lower leg from a dog chain being pulled up it… and it’s gone now, I mean, if I hold it in the light just right I might see it slightly but only because I know where it once was. Nobody else can see anything. I used that Mederma and vitamin E capsules that I broke open and squeezed over it for about 6 months, but there again – it was an old scar too. Yours should respond much better to it.
Before that happens though, you might try this: http://www.dermablend.com/foundations/foundations-severe-flaws/new-cover-creme.htm?cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleBrand-_-Dermablend+Brand-_-SiteLinks&gclid=CPWNhKLVlMECFSJo7Aod1VwAVQ
It is just makeup and it won’t make it go away but it will make it blend into the rest of your skin and won’t come off on clothing. Maybe read up about it?
I think the biggest thing here is that you’re owning it, and not ashamed of it. Sure it’s good to care about your appearance and all, but nobody decides to walk around with scarring on purpose unless it’s to prove a point right? 🙂
Thank you Alison!!
Hi Erin,
I randomly came across your blog while I was doing some searching around about Jamie Eason’s Live Fit 12-week Trainer (AKA procrastinating on nursing school homework ;))
So glad to hear you’re healing up and cancer free!
Now… about that scar, another option to look into is castor oil. It. Is. Amazing. …Seriously. Apply every night before you go to bed and badda-bing-badda-boom works like a charm 😉
Cheers!
Steph
P.S. Castor oil works great for growing eyelashes too! I use it in my face wash (the oil cleansing method) and my eyelashes are long and strong 🙂
Thank you for this post! This is very uplifting to see. My 18 month old will be having branchial cleft cyst removal surgery and I was so anxious about her having such a visible scar, but yours healed beautifully.
Hi,
I found your site looking for neck scars. Verry intriquing and I’m happy your scar has almost completely faded. I’ve found silicone sheets with adhesive work wonders. embrace scar therapy dressings is what I’ve used on a previous surgery and had success with a very minimal scar. Anyways, thanks for sharing and you asked for a scar tip and thought I’d share my experience!
I will be having this surgery on June 19, 2018 also at 730 am . I have never had surgery before so I’m rally anxious. Thank you for sharing it really gave me some comfort. I also had such a crazy month with all the crazy test. My biopsy came back cancer and bacteria free put the true test is when it comes out.
After your Biopsy how long did it take to get the surgery booked and how long did you have to wait. I hope it went well and you are feeling okay I know it’s only been a day since you got it done so don’t want to pester you ahah, just worried about the rate mine is increasing in size.
Thank you very much !! And good luck in the recovery
Thanks for sharing your scar healing experience. I’m about to have an ACDF and I am freaking about the scar and how it will look forever. This is the first post I’ve seen that shows how beautiful a scar can look within a year post op. I could live with that.
You obviously made the right decision. Cancer is a no go for sure!
Hi Erin!
Not sure how long ago your post was or if youll get this message but I’m glad you posted it. I too will be have surgery soon for an esophageal duplication cyst basically where my neck meets my chest. I don’t know the technical name, ya know where the divot is. Anyhow, they are going through my throat and through my neck. And yes have to test once it’s out.
1. How was the pain on healing?
Is that a drain connected to you? Fakkkk!
2. How did you mentally get through the week between testing the cyst and getting results?
I was so emotional today before just getting the surgery consult. I cant imagine how I’ll get through that week.
Looks good though! Glad it finally healed well.
I just wanted to say thanks so much for sharing your pics. Your pics and blog were very helpful to me as I’m sure many others.
I just had my surgery yesterday but left with no drain. My doc bandaged my neck up pretty good, serving as compression. Eager to see what the incision looks like later today. But I’m with you…leave the cancer…love the scar! Much rather be cancer free!
All the best to you and thanks for insight to your yearlong journey.
Your story was both honest and supportive; so many of us go through these journeys and never write about it for others to benefit from, but you shared all the emotions and technical stuff. I wish you continued great health! Never give up.
Hi Erin
I just had a similar procedure, I was wondering what your back to workout routine was like, How long were you off for and what did you start back with?
thanks so much
Hey kelly! I think I had it done on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday!
Just found out today I have this SAME thing. I am so appreciative of you documenting this! I’m a health care professional and I’m still a little freaked out. So thank you!
Thank you so much for posting this I will have surgery for this so I appreciate this very much. There really is not a lot out there.
I want to first say, I’m so glad your ok and cancer free! Secondly, thank you for posting ALL of these blogs about BCS, surgery and recovery.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with the same thing! We’re twins and definitely kids at heart! 💕
Thank you again for making me more comfortable with the procedure, recovery and the scar!
Thank you so much for sharing, I am having the procedure in a month. Although mine is a little different I got inconclusive results after several exams and tests. It looks like a branchial cleft cyst but there is a chance there isn’t. They said that I would like to know if you feel the scar all the time or you forget about it?
Im also diagnosed with branchial cleft cyst. im afraid with the surgery 😢😭 my doctor told me that it will only recur if not fully extracted. The surgery is expensive. 😥
Thanks so much for sharing the details of your surgery and the scar photos – I just had this done a few days ago but didn’t want to google it beforehand! It’s reassuring to see the scar healed up as my neck is looking pretty terrible at the moment. Really appreciate being able to see your posts about it, thanks.