Question about removing gauze after gallbladder surgery?!
Question: Question about removing gauze after gallbladder surgery!?
When is it safe to remove the gauze from the belly button area after gallbladder surgery!? The surgeon told me that the bandages would fall off naturally in the shower (which they did) but not sure if the gauze is supposed to be removed or left in!? Its been almost 5 days since surgery!. Thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
The gauze needs to be removed!.!.!. 5 days is way too long for it to be there, especially since you are showering (it has gotten wet, I'm sure!.!.!. now the gauze is a breeding place for bacteria!) The steri strips ("bandages") fell off pretty easily, I'm sure!.!.!. but I would moisten the gauze as much as possible (so you don't disrupt the tissue that is healing around it)!.!.!. you may have to gently tug areas out, but try to be careful!. I would then gently cleanse the area with gentle soap and water and thorougly dry it!. Then, leave it be for a while!.!.!. watch for redness, irritation, drainage (especially yellow/green) or foul odor- or fever, pain at the site!. If you see any of these, call the doctor! If not, still call the surgeon on Monday (your follow-up is probably two weeks from sx date, right!?) and let the office know what happened, they may want to see you sooner or give you further instructions!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You listen to rnmom! She is 100 percent right!Www@Answer-Health@Com