post ectopic surgery - bath or shower?

[scardypants]

Hi,

I'm wondering if any of you can help.

I had surgery on Friday evening and still have the surgical dressings on (three small abdominal incisions). I really want to wash but I'm worried about the wounds.

Should I have a shower or bath?
Should I use soap on the wounds?
I have some pv bleeding but I think it's post-op rather than AF, does this make any difference to having a bath or not?

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

You can have a bath if you want but I would not use soap, shampoo etc as it might irritate the wounds until they are healing properly. (I had an interesting experience using T-Gel in the bath a week after this op)

A shower is probably easier if you want to wash your hair etc.

Don't worry about the vaginal bleeding - it makes no difference.

I hope you're getting on ok.

You should be able to bath shower as normal.
After an abdominal operation, Section/hysterectomy etc they encourage you to shower as soon as you are able.
In my case 12 hours post-op.
They also said I could take the dressing off in the shower and if it was weeping they would pop a new one on after the shower.
Tbh if it was keyhole type surgery, you can probably do away with the dressings after 3 days.

Thanks MrsHappy (I'm doing a bit better today) and NorksIMW, it was keyhole so very small incisions.

I think I'll have a shower as I really want to wash my hair.

The lowest one is a little sore and it's on a crease (my overhang since last pregnancy 8 years ago ) so I'm more worried about that one. I'm a paramedic so I shouldn't be this afraid but it seems so much different because it's me I'm trying to look after!

I know what you mean, anything close to home is a worry.

Hope you feel better soon