Just had surgery - question about care

[tgal]

I just had a cyst removed, yay! I was discharged from the hospital last night.
Does anyone know what I should do as far as cleaning the laperscopy incision points. Right now there are just bandaids over them, I know I can shower today but I just had my mom help me rinse my hair and wiped down the rest of my body so they wouldn't get wet. They are not oozing or bloody looking. What should I do for them when I finally do take a shower? I forgot to ask the nurses.
Thanks,
Tanja

[tgal]

Well I did something right...My bowels awakened for a short time this morning. I have decided to try to make it maybe?? into work on Thursday for a half day. If not then on Friday maybe?? for a half day. My job is being really understanding, I am just going nuts, my husband told me this is God teaching me how to relax. LOL.
I don't think I'm over-doing it as I have only had that burning once or twice total since surgery. I think I am going to have to buy some prunes though! Thanks Sandy! ;)

Tanja

[Sandymac]

Prunes, lots of water, and stool softeners !!!! and more prunes... and walking is good only as the previous poster said.. don't overdo it !! and more water !!! and more prunes !!! LOL...
Sandy

[Jame0223]

I had little steri-strips and was glued up too. My doctor said that its not bad to get them wet just pat them dry when you get out. He said if you wash the incision after a few days do not use any soaps with moisturizers. I went and got some dial antibacterial bar soap and I would lather a tiny amount in my hands, wipe it over the incision then let the water run over my belly and incision(not spraying it directly) then when I was done I would step out and just pat the incision dry. My strips were removed a week and 2 days after surgery so you heal faster then you think on the outside.

As for when to go back...I doubt a week would be long enough. I asked the same question on here and got that answer. I was originally going to have surgery tuesday, go home wednesday, and be back to work the following monday. Ohhh no. My doctor said 2-3 weeks. Do not rush it. You won't be feeling 100% until about 3-4 weeks post op. I am just now feeling normal again and I am just over 4 weeks. I thought I would only need a week but please don't rush back to work for at least 2 weeks.

I could not drive for 2 weeks post op, and no lifting over 10 lbs for 6 weeks. So I am not even back to lifting things yet. My incision looks pretty good though. Just take it easy and don't walk around too much the first week. You want to walk at least 3x a day but not much more...It starts to hurt and you may get the feeling that something is burning on the inside of you. I got that pretty often and its your body telling you you're over-doing it...Just please please take it easy!

[tgal]

I'm doing alright. I love the post that you bumped up for me! Thanks I was laughing so hard I had to grab my stomach. My pain medication is called dilandin and it is in the same category as moriphine. I get headaches from Tylenol 3 so they told me to try this one. I still do need the pain medication since I am quite tender.
I am constipated and trying to find a good solution for that. The med's I was trying just wasn't working and I am getting impatient! If it doesn't resolve itself by tomorrow I am going to call my doctor. I have one stich and that should be out in two weeks. They said I can't lift anything over 10 lbs for two weeks and I can't drive until I'm off my pain medicine and comfortable doing the movements. I'll keep you posted. I also am getting antsy from sitting around the house and I want to know for sure what type of cyst it was!
Tanja

[Sandymac]

Hi,
    I had cyst and ovary  removed in Jan. and I too forgot to ask.. called Dr. that afternoon and was told normal showering was o.k. Don't think they're supposed to get "soaking".. I changed the little bandaids and just used those little circular ones. That reminds me of something I have forgotten to mention. I was told to wipe down the belly button area for 3 or 4 days prior to surgery with alcohol.. She said a lot of little germs live in that little space. I never heard it mentioned on here before or since. ...

     By the way, that "gas" problem doesn't happen with all patients. I was really lucky and had no problems whatsoever with that.. Try not to bend over or reach ... this will not feel good ! and try to have a lot of fiber since the meds.may slow you down. I'm going to bump up a cute post that was started a few months ago.. and all of us sort of chimed in with our experiences.. I'll bump it to the top..

     I was told not to lift anything heavy or drive for 2 weeks. I had the stitches out in 1 week and felt fine, but I was told it takes longer internally.. How is the medication for pain? I had horrible headaches and ditched that  for Xstrength Tylenol the next day.. I know you'll feel better soon ... keep in touch

Sandy

[vallieanne]

I'm going a week from Monday for my surgery and I was told by the doctor that it would be about 2 weeks until I could resume normal activities. Of course, it depends on how it goes too, I'm having the ovary and cyst taken out.
I think if you're going to have to be on your feet all day it would be a bit hard full time until you're fully recovered. I remember reading on the boards about the gas, which I dread, but anyway, a recommendation was to use Gas-X tablets, peppermint tea, and walk as much as you can around the house to get it out. I don't really get how the Gas-X helps because it's for intestinal gas and the surgery gas is in the abdominal cavity, but it's worth a try anyway. Maybe a heating pad too, as long as it's allowed by the doctor.
Hope you feel better soon
Valerie

[Sharon2714]

i would leave the wound open to the air ... my doc took all of my bandages off less than 8 hours post op ... to clean the incision sites do not stand directly under the water and expose them to the running water, tur ur back ... fill ur clean washcloth with fresh water and squeeze it our over ur abdomen ... put a mild soap on the wash cloth squeeze the foam over the abdomen and pat ... do not rub ... the incision sites ... squeeze fresh water over the abdomen again to rinse them ... pat the sites with a fresh clean towel (never rub across) then pat ur body dry ... take ur blow dryer on a cool or warm (not hot) setting and blow ur incision sites and the rest of ur abdomen dry ... dress and put on ur makeup ... u will feel like a million bucks after that first glorious shower :)
everyone recovers at a different rate ... listen to ur body's signals and return to work when u feel ready
god bless u
love
sharon

[tgal]

I have actual bandaids with the little built in pads. They glued all of my incision sites shut except one got one small stitch in it. Should I re-cover my incision sites with bandaids then or just leave them open to the air once they get wet? What is your opinion?

I was also told by my dr to go back to work when I feel better, when do you think that will be? As you know I am a teacher and it isn't easy work, my school really understands me being out and is prepared to have me out as long as nessicary. I had surgery late Thursday night. I was going to try to go back on Wednesday for a half day.

Thanks and I will keep you all posted on my recovery more later...still dealing with lots of Gas...I look 5 months pregnate

[ireneo]

I took quick showers for a couple days just being careful to keep water to a minimum on the incisions. I didn't worry if a little bit flowed over them but certainly no baths or standing facing the shower. After 48 hours I was allowed to shower normally.

Do you have actual bandaids over the incisions or steri-strips? Real bandaids (with the little built in pads) should be replaced if they get wet. The moisture and warmth makes a good breeding ground for bacteria and infection. I had Tegaderm over my incisions - a thin, transparent sticky covering. That was crummy trying to peel that off, like pulling off big squares of Scotch tape. I use it at work but never realized how much it hurts to peel it off. Now I know.

If you have stitches or steri-strips, they will come out/off on their own in time. Just keep the areas clean and dry and watch for any inflammation. Most likely you won't have any trouble at all. Just rest, rest, rest.