Raeanna, it will get better. Healing scars are so painful and they go deeper than the visual. Can you have your doctor prescribe some massage therapy to keep them from tethering? Aromatherapy/medicinal herbal oils rubbed into the skin by a professional (to avoid going too deep) can stimulate healing on the inside and out. Homeopathic arnica and ruta pellets can ease bruising and muscle pain, topical arnica gel can help with the bruising, too (check with a doctor if you've got allergies). If you're comfortable with it, you can try looking into some alternative therapies. Acupuncture can help with bloodflow stimulation and they can help your mood at the same time. I'd not have survived my ankle surgery, physically and mentally without my acupuncturist and my arnica. It was horrible at first, but has faded wonderfully.
After the bruising fades and the scars heal more, you
can see a plastic surgeon about gathering up the extra skin and smoothing out the scars. My brother has a zipper down his chest and a scar from under his right nipple to his right shoulder blade from childhood surgeries. The zipper (open heart surgery) healed beautifully, but they had to scrape scar tissue while it was healing (about a month). The other was hideous and twisted because they had to go in twice. He hated taking off his shirt for
years. About two years ago, my parents took him in for a consult and they did a simple procedure. They went in under the scars and removed the spots that were tethered to the bone and tissue for 19 years and made an incision on either side of the scar and staple holes and removed them. He healed up in about 7 days. My "little" bubba's hot.
And so much more confident! If you're self conscious about it, do what makes you feel better. Just give the initial incisions time to heal. You
will heal inside and out.
By the way, I've always thought the toothpaste aisle was there specifically to absorb tears. Try the t.p./paper towel aisle, though, much more absorbent, sweetie. I've done it a million times. I bawled watching "What I Like About You" this week. But that's a secret. Hang in there.