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A week after the surgery

Posted , 7 users are following.

dorcas44815
dorcas44815

Ok - I know this is going to sound very weird! It is just over a week since I had my op. I was told to wait 5 days to take bandages off - however there was a tiny spot from one of the incisions, so I went in to see my GP just to make sure all was OK. It was, but she reapplied all 4 bandages and said to leave them on until today. I took them all off and the first 3 were absolutely OK. But the last one - the one on the belly button, for some reason since I took that bandage off, I feel vulnerable - like it may pop open! It hasn't (yet!!), but I have found myself sort of being very wary when moving or walking. Is this normal?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • louise31495
    louise31495 dorcas44815

    Posted

    Dont worry, i was told to leave my bandages on for 10 days but ended up keeping them on a little longer as my belly button was leaking yukky stuff and another incision wasnt fully healed as i could see a hole. Belly button bandage was hard to keep on because of the awkwardness, so i cleaned that up with cotton buds (it wasnt infected) just very tender and red. You will be sore for a few weeks so try not to worry. I had my op in may x
  • Ginagirl
    Ginagirl dorcas44815

    Posted

    BANDAGES? what century are you living in? most wound care applications have white mefix sticky dressings with padding.. leave these on as long as possible No showers just wash at the sink.. Please be careful when moving around.. Dont lift or lay on the wound. it may ooz Post operatively leave the dressing in place dont be tempted to take it off..for at least two weeks unless its changed for a fresh dressing.. If you change it  wash your hands and replace mefix..if oozing apply some inadine dressing over the wet area and dry cotton gauze over the top and Mefix...A wound has to dry up..Steristrips can come off if over an ozzy area..If clips or sutures  sometimes there could be a smallooz to one of these sites.. The Nurse should take alternate out if the wound is gaping.Thw ound will look red and tender ..does not always mean it is infected. Depends on leakage.
    • dorcas44815
      dorcas44815 Ginagirl

      Posted

      The 4 incisions are all closed - they used glue not stitches or staples. The hospital directions were quite clear to remove them after 5 days at home. I only left them on longer because the GP said to and then it was only a couple of days longer. I am not doing anything that can be construed as lifting or anything like that and I am being very careful - just feel a bit vulnerable.
    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl dorcas44815

      Posted

      Seems like that is regular these days.. Hospital directions says remove bandages? are you in the UK or USA. I am an experienced Nurse and bandages were stopped years ago! unless it was used for swelling? then they would use a crepe bandage which can be allergic to some people..
    • dorcas44815
      dorcas44815 Ginagirl

      Posted

      OK wrong term used - I am not a nurse - it is a waterproof dressing - sort of like a very large bandaid.  I am in the UK.
  • louise31495
    louise31495 dorcas44815

    Posted

    Bandages/dressings we all knew what she meant by it!! 
    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl louise31495

      Posted

      You obviously aren't a Nurse either no need to be sarcastic about it,  especially  As I was offering advice 

       

  • shazalize
    shazalize dorcas44815

    Posted

    Hi I had gallbladder surgery just over two weeks ago I was told to take the dressings off after 3 days by soaking them off in the bath I was a little nervous as it seemed so early I took the two side ones off without any problems the one below my bra had a blood spot on it and i was bit nervous to take that one off and over my belly button was the one I was most nervous about and I know what you mean when you say you feel vulnerable I soaked them off on the 4th day I had few nervous days but letting the air get to them I think has helped with the healing process I was glued not stitched. I wash with a non perfumed shower gel and everything is fine . I was very careful when getting up and down or turning in bed but now i m fine so I m sure you will be fine as long as you're careful 
  • millie15478
    millie15478 dorcas44815

    Posted

    Hi I did my surgery on aug 18 last month. And i did exactly what the doctors told me To do. the second day remove dressing on the top I waited for the third day I also had that glue  stitches, is the worst I was doing fine now it's one month going on two weeks I still have the glue I also took a shower with soap that didn't have no perfume.  I can't sleep I can't go side to side I get scare it might come off. All three scar looks ok put the one in the top next to your side where the doctor told me they remove my gallballder has a big dry scab. And it hurts, I guess I am slow healer by the way I called my doctor he told me to put ointment like Vaseline so it won't be to dry. Scab could fall off. Don't trust it.  Any body try it. Planning to go back to see the doctor to take the scab out maybe they just take it out I need to sleep. I have back problems so I am tired  laying on my back.

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