Thank you for your question. Every surgeon has different post-op protocol and preferences. After steri-strips have come off of all the incisions I have my patients apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to clean the incision and remove any dried blood that may be left behind. After applying that ointment for a couple of days, I then have my patients switch to a silicone based scar cream that they apply a thin layer of twice a day up to the 6 month post-op mark. Some people do prefer to use silicone strips which are believed to flatten out the scars more aggressively/quicker than scar cream alone. Visit the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you're currently working with to figure out what his/her preferences are before moving forward with any treatment as they may have different post-op directions. Good luck and best wishes!
The only cream scientifically proven to reduce the thickening of scars is Solution for Scars. This is available in the UK from Science of Skin.