Posting for traffic - showering after surgery

[deflatedbirthday]

Posting for traffic

I had a laparoscopic procedure on Tuesday. I'm supposed to keep the dressings on for 5 days. The information leaflet says I can shower after 2 days.

I feel grim. I'm in a lot more pain than my previous lap as I've had more treatment this time. I think I'd feel more myself if I got a shower and washed my hair.

I'm conscious of keeping the dressings intact.

Does it sound bonkers to wrap cling fling around the area?

Nope.

Edited for clarity: it does not sound bonkers

Perfectly fine idea, use decent medical tape and make sure the cling covers a big enough area (extra 2-3 inches all around).
IF the dressing unfortunately gets wet, it’s better to remove it vs leaving it on.

I had laparoscopic surgery 4 weeks ago but didn’t shower for 2 weeks as I had drains in place so I wasn’t able to shower whilst they were in.

Once the drains were out and it had been a few days, I wanted a shower and thought that wrapping clingfilm around me would be a good idea. It didn’t work! My dressings still got soaked even though I kept the shower head off me as much as I could.

Do you have any dressings on? I was given some Allevyn gentle border dressings for my drain wounds and found they kept everything well covered and dry.

Is there someone who can help you wash your hair over the hand basin with a jug?

Posted too soon.
It's a bit early for a shower however grim you're feeling. Sit down on a towel next to a sink of soapy water and give yourself a strip wash with a face cloth. Stay with your face and neck, arms legs pits and bits. You'll feel loads better. Couple of days and you can get in the shower.

just have a normal quick shower - bet you've got opsite dressings on and they're water/shower proof.

I think I have opsite dressings on yes. I don't have anyone who can help me wash my hair at the moment. I had a strip wash yesterday but I still feel absolutely grim 😩

A very sturdy plastic bag worked for me.

I was glued after my surgery so didn't have to keep things dry - was just told to shower rather than soak in a bath. Do you have stitches?

I'd probably try to get some waterproof dressings if the spares you've been given aren't waterproof. I tried showering with cling film round my leg once and it was a complete pain, I couldn't keep it in place properly.

Cling film won't work. Just go to a pharmacy and buy a large waterproof dressing to go on top of the one you have.

I'm in the same boat. I am using a flannel and soapy water and just avoiding the dressed areas

So I made a pair of shorts out of a drawstring bin bag!

Made holes for my legs. Pulled above my op sites and pulled the drawstring. Bit of medical tape.

Had to wash my nethers separately but I feel like a new woman!

I had surgery on my back recently and showered as normal after 48 hours. They used waterproof dressings that formed more of like a glue seal but even then I’ve had normal ones I’ve just showered like usual.

Mums have c sections and shower soon after so I think you’re worrying unnecessarily.

That’s ingenious- well done!

If I can't shower I use a wet towel to wash my body and follow up with a nice scented body cream.

I admire your ingenuity OP!

That is GENIUS.

You can go to a walk-in chain hair cut place and ask them to just wash your hair. It will be cheap and easy. When I did it the staff were ridiculously kind and took such great care of me. I don’t think anyone had ever asked before, but it is technically available and much more comfortable than trying to do it at home.

i didn’t bother with a blow dry or anything like that. Just a quick wash and then back home to rest, but I felt so much more human.

Retired gynae nurse here, perfectly fine to have a shower. Buy some dressings to replace the original ones if they become loose. Dry the wound sites with a towel, patting the area not rubbing, or use a hair dryer on a low setting.

Follow the instructions you were given.