3 quick questions.

[Ovie]

Forgive me, I probably don't have the greatest thread critique but I didn't want to make 3 different topics for just some quick questions.

1) how many weeks post op did you feel you could just take a normal shower, I've felt shy in the sense that I really try to avoid direct contact on my incision, I don't use body washes like I did before, I'm kind of paranoid or scared to just feel like I can take a shower as I did before surgery, I'll be 1 month out on Thursday.

2) how long PO did you feel safe sleeping how you wanted? My Cardiologist says listen to your body but I should be fine however I decide to sleep as long as my body doesn't complain, but I feel that sleeping on my stomach is not a good idea, I've been slowly moving to my side which has helped me sleep better at night, but still wake up sore because I do t move alot because im so cautious.

3) about how far out do I have to worry about infection occurring? My incision is healing well, how would it get infected when it's already close to shut, I ask because I've heard it can happen all the way up to 12 weeks, I just don't understand how?

Anyways, those are my 3 questions that I dragged out longer than needed, but it's just some simple questions I was curious about and wanted to get others experience.

Thanks.

 

[epstns]

Ovie,

I was told that I could take a "careful" shower as soon as I was released from the hospital. Of course, like you, I was paranoid about doing that. By the time I was 4 weeks post op, I was pretty comfortable about it, as my incision was closed by then. I was told that for a while I should not rub the incision with a washcloth, but only dab at it with gentle soap, then rinse.

As far as sleeping on your stomach, I can't really help there as I never sleep on my stomach. I slept mostly on my back for the first few weeks, then I found that I could be comfortable on my side. Just try it however you want. If it is not comfortable, move to a more comfortable position. If it feels good, do it. . .

I never really worried specifically about infection. I just kept things clean and never had to worry. Just keep an eye on it, and if there are any visible changes, call the doc.

It sounds like you're doing pretty well there. Just keep up the good work.

 

[Greg~]

Ovie
I took a shower in the hospital on day five and six (last day) and I've taken one every day since then. The first two showers in the hospital felt so awesome I didn't want to get out The hospital provided special soap to wash my incision and told me to squeeze out a sudsy wash cloth over my incision and then let the soap run down the incision - don't rub or scrub the incision. And when I left the hospital they told me to use the same approach but to use Dial Gold Antibacterial soap on my incision. I'd say I was a little paranoid during the first 3 or 4 showers, but once I realized the shower wasn't harming my incision, I was ok.

I’m a side sleeper and I asked as early as the ICU if I could sleep on my side. The doctor told me it wasn't a problem as long as it didn't cause me any pain. So I've been sleeping on my side since then.

I’m not sure how long you're at risk of infection. But I'd say as long as you're following the doctors instructions and not putting anything onto the incision (creams, ointments, lotions, etc) not prescribed by the doctor, you should be fine. I just passed three weeks post-op and my incision is not fully healed yet, so I guess there's always the possibility of surface infection if I didn't manage things properly.

I think you're questions are great so don't stop asking. Many of us are first timer's here and it helps when questions are asked so we all can benefit.

 

[Mom2izzy]

I just wrote this big old response and accidentally made it disappear...oh well...since you are further along than me in the recovery process, all I could really offer was complete understanding of what you are going through.

For stomach sleeping two things were recommended to me:
1. Try folding your arms under you near your incision (hard to describe in words, but hands up by shoulders and elbows near bottom of rib cage...easier for boys than girls). This is supposed to put some of the weight on your arms and less on your chest.
2. This is my preferred method...start on your side, hug a big squishy pillow, and sort of roll toward your stomach onto the pillow. You end up sort of half on you side half on your stomach, with support from the nice soft pillow.

Shower...I still sit sometimes because I'm afraid to fall and the heat can make me a bit dizzy, but as far as a regular shower, I do everything the same as normal with 2 exceptions:
1. I keep my back to the spray.
2. I avoid the area of my incision. I use a baby washcloth and antibacterial soap to clean my incision after I am out of the shower, so I can look in a mirror and see what I'm doing.

I have the same question about infection. My main incision is closed up now, but where my drain tubes are still not completely closed. I feel like they are never going to heal because they pop back open whenever I move. I disinfect them twice a day with hydrogen peroxide (as directed by my nurse) and the visiting nurse checks them twice a week. Still look gross and freak me out, but so far, so good.

 

[dcc617]

Showers - I'm at 6 weeks and shower every day. I was being extra careful about the incision and having the shower spray on my face and neck. But now I've backed up. No real problems.

Side sleeping. I'm a big side snoozer. I still hug the pillow and have an occasional ache. But it's no big deal

As far as the infection - I would put it out of your head and stop worrying. Just watch for redness before your shower.

 

[Fundy]

I had infection start at about 6 weeks which only seemed to affect about the bottom inch of incision. At ER the doc cut a small opening with a razor blade to drain a bit and gave me a prescription for an antibiotic to take for a week. Basically took pills until gone, and that was it for the infection.

I asked about showering beforleaving hospital and surgeon basically said shampoos and soaps weren't a problem, just not to have high pressure stream of water directly on incision. I can't remember for how long I was to abide by that.

 

[escargome]

Ovie,

Showers - If I remember correctly, I showered the same a usual, just made sure that water hit my back 85% of the time and not too hot. Since I was having lots of neck and shoulder pain the water running on my back was great.

Sleeping - I was an am a side sleeper, so from the day I got home from the hospital, I had pillows, pillows and more pillows. At first I my someone in my family would tuck me in with pillows along my back and a few to hug. Then as I got more comfortable I was able to eliminate some of them.

Infection - Well, as long as there is no redness or pain in and around your incision, you are likely doing OK. I don't believe you plan on doing the slip and slide in the mud, so just keeping everything normally clean as you usually would will not cause problems.

You are doing quite well in your recovery. Just keep up the good work.

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Ovie,
1. I (with help off my mam) managed to shower about 6 days after my OHS but i needed help from my mam and had to sit on a chair as i was in pain & showering tired me out,
2. I tired to sleep normally after OHS in hospital but it was AGONY, and took months for me to get back to normal sleeping,
3. My scar popped open, got infected, was red, hot and very painful, my infection markers went from 5 to 35,000!! normal range is 5< this was 2 weeks post op (was still in hospital) so i needed IV antibiotics for i think it was a week, you'll no if you have an infection as its more painful than normal,
Hope your recovery keeps going well
Love Sarah xxxx

 

[Jkm7]

I showered both my surgeries in the hospital. I was tentative about washing my incision and my nurse who stood right beside me told me to not be afraid to wash it gently.

I could not sleep on my side my first surgery for about 6-7 weeks. My second surgery, I was able to sleep on my left side at about 3-4 weeks post op. I agree about the pillows, pillows, pillows. How I loved that pile of different size pillows I could tuck in just where needed. I only really needed them (second surgery) maybe two weeks but they were a blessing when I wanted them.

I remember reading on this board a surgeon who was a poster at the time say that drain tube incisions could be infected a good long time after surgery. He only participated, as a valver, for a short time but that post stuck in my mind. He was implying even a year later, an entrance to the body could harbor infection.... any broken skin.

We need to pay attention to anything that feels or looks suspicious but to not become fixated or paranoid in the process.

 

[Dgreenbee]

Three questions

Three questions

All very good questions. Sleep how you are comfortable. Shower carefully. Let the water flow gently on the incision. Do not shore too hot lest you faint. Pat your incision dry and do not return the towel to your incision after drying other body parts. Be careful of infection for six weeks.

 

[Ovie]

1) when I shower, I do keep my back to the water 80% of the time, however when washing my face and hair, I'd be lying if I didn't have the water hitting my incision 10% of the time. Also, other than the 3 showers in the shower, I have yet to once use any kind of soap on my incision, just let the water flow over my back over my incision. When I asked my cardiologist he said wasn't a big deal, just make sure that it's being washed every day, and I've delivered on that promise.

2) the pillow to the chest does really work well when trying to sleep on my side, I've been trying that, it's cool to see a method work with so many others.

3)I don't worry about infection much, but I do keep an eye out on it. The lower part of my incision is something in keeping an eye on as it's the only part scabbing, and a little deeper than the rest of my incision, sounds like if something is happening I'll know that's good to know.

Thanks for all the answers!

 

[enkaynj]

Shower - I started the day I left the hospital - about 5 days post-op. As others have mentioned, let it not hit you right on the incision
Sleep - I was able to sleep on my side 6 weeks post -op. without any concerns
Infection - Nothing to worry about. The goop really protects you pretty well. My only problem was the irritation once the hair on my chest started going back. Even to this day, 8 months PO, it is itchy; I use an anti-fungal powder such as Quinsana to prevent itching. I also wear crewneck T-shirts as opposed to V-necks (which chafe against the incision).

 

[karla]

Regarding showering: I was told to use a new, clean washcloth every day, use antibacterial soap ( preferably liquid), gently wash the incision FIRST before any other part of my body and just let the water from the shower rinse everything away. Then wash everything else. Gently dab the incision dry with a clean towel, then dry everything else.
So far, so good. I am almost 3 weeks out from an AVR and aneurysm replacement. I still have scabs at the top and bottom of my incision and at the drain sites with absolutely no sign of infection.....
karla

 

[Ovie]

I was about the same, scabs at top and bottom, and drain tubes. It's amazing how the human body heals.