I'm posting this in The Men's Room because I need a man's reply. Sorry, ladies, you're not included in this one.

Obviously, we guys tend to be hairier than (most :thumbup:) women, so shaving before surgery is more of an issue. My question for those of you who have been there: How far up and down were you shaved for your surgery? Was it only in the stomach area where incisions were put, or did they shave it all? Did they shave your chest area too? And what about below your waistband? Did they shave anything down there? Did you shave yourself, or did you wait till the surgery people did it?

I'm getting ready for surgery in a few weeks, and wondering what to expect.

Thanks,

Dave

I didn't shave before surgery, if they need anything shaved they'll do it after your knocked out. They shouldn't touch anything below your waist either. I also don't see any reason they should be touching your chest. There are five incisions total - bellybutton, left of bellybutton (port), further left of the port, a few inches below your right pec, and one on the right of your stomach.

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

I did not give it a lot of thought before the surgery. The day of the surgery when I went in to the pre op area to be prepared - they did it for me. They shaved me completely from right below the pecs to a few inches below the belly button.

It was a bit embarassing having them do it - if I had really thought about it before the surgery, I would have preferred to shave it all myself.

I hope this helps.

My surgery is on Wednesday (Oct 20th) and they specifically told me not to shave anywhere below my face. They told me that if I knick myself anywhere around the surgery area there's a chance they'll have to postpone. I don't know how serious they are about that but I'm playing it safe and letting them handle it.

Thanks, guys. That's what I was looking to hear.

Dave

Do not shave yourself before surgery. I have heard in many places that any knicks or cuts could cause them to postpone your surgery. They are serious about it.

My surgery is on Wednesday (Oct 20th) and they specifically told me not to shave anywhere below my face. They told me that if I knick myself anywhere around the surgery area there's a chance they'll have to postpone. I don't know how serious they are about that but I'm playing it safe and letting them handle it.

I wasn't given the above reason, but I had my pre-op appointment last week, and they told me very specifically NOT to shave 48 hours before surgery, with the exception of my face. Of course, being a vain guy who shaves his head, I may interpret "face" upward. :huh2: