I just had my gal bladder removed...?!
Question: My dr did not give me any paper work or inform me on how to keep this area clean..they did 4 small incisions on my stomach, they are now covered with bandaids and i was wondering when i can shower or how i should keep them clean from infection... i had surgery on TUesday..thank you
Answers: My dr did not give me any paper work or inform me on how to keep this area clean..they did 4 small incisions on my stomach, they are now covered with bandaids and i was wondering when i can shower or how i should keep them clean from infection... i had surgery on TUesday..thank you
You poor child...is your doc AND the facility where you had this trying to get sued? lol. Ok sweetie, let me see if I can help.
Some docs have you wait a certain length of time (usually like 48 hours) before showering and some don't. I think it's ok to by now. Here's what you need to find out...whether you only have bandaids or if there are steri-strips (white tape strips) under the bandaids. Try peeking under the bandaid. If there are strips under there, then carefully remove the bandaid (while in or just after the shower will probably be most comfortable doing this). Leave the strips on...they have to stay on for two weeks or until they fall off. They will start to curl up at the ends...leave it or cut off the excess, but don't pull them the rest of the way off! Your sutures/stitches will disolve. The strips just help keep "things" together while it heals. If you have only bandaids over the sutures, either remove and leave off, or remove and replace with a clean bandaid. DO NOT leave the dirty wet bandaid on there. Always use clean hands when touching these sites/areas (wash hands with soap and water).
It's hard to know what instructions you got. I'll give you a few basics. (I'm an ICU RN by the way.)
-report drainage from the puncture sites (by now, you should have very little or no drainage. Continued or increased drainage should be reported. Also report any foul smelling drainage)
-redness, swelling, or pain (increased from whatever was present the day of surgery)
-report rigid abdomen
-report fever (some docs say >100.5, some say >101.5 ...definitely call if greater than 101 or 101.5)
-report chest pain or shortness of breath
-report jaundice (yellow skin, yellow whites of the eyes)
I'm guessing they went over diet and exercise/work and what to expect from those angles. If not let me know or call the doc and get that info and any other questions answered. In general, you should be mostly "back to normal" in about two weeks. Nausea and vomiting are not unusual. (report excessive vomiting though). Gas and constipation are also not unusual...can treat with over the counter laxative (use bulk forming). Some have shoulder/shoulderblade pain...this is from carbon dioxide gas in the abdomen.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions. Hope you feel better and wish you a speedy recovery! Good luck!
PS: I need points...if you feel generous a "best answer" would be greatly appreciated! lol. :)