OK, this is going to sound strange, but did anyone wear underwear during surgery? It's going to be that time of the month for me and I'm wondering how to handle it.

They make you take your underwear off before surgery. I don't know what they would do if you "needed" it; but I guarantee you they have come across this before and have a way to manage it. Surgery isn't long--usually no more than one hour--so it's not going to be a big problem.

Although your underwear is removed, the surgery should provide disposable underwear for the procedure.

gadgetlady,

I too had my monthly friend when my surgery came and they let me keep my underwear on.

I was allowed to as long as they were cotton and they said to wear an old scungy pair becuase they'd get betadine all over them. Hah, have they looked in my top drawer? Try finding anything but old and holey knickers!

Anway they didnt get betadine on them! I've never been allowed to wear underwear into surgery before - I would have thought it was a bit of a contamination risk. But they did make me shower with antibacterial stuff before I went in.

I was on mine at surgery. Used the "plug" option.

I actually started my period the morning of my surgery. They wouldn't let me use a tampon or wear my own underwear, but they did have me wear the meshy ones that they give you when you have a baby. When I woke up, the underwear were long gone, but they had me lying on one of those disposable pads (I don't know what they're called but they remind me of the pads that you lay on your floor to housebreak puppies... LOL). I also had a maxi pad between my legs, and to be honest, I moved so little that it stayed right in place, even without underwear holding it there.

Sounds like each doctor has a different way of handling it, based on the replies to your question. But, like someone else said, you can be sure that it isn't the first time that your doctor has come across this. If you are able to call the doctor's office and ask how he would prefer for you to handle it, then you can be prepared with grungy underwear, a tampon, or nothing at all, depending on what he wants you to do.

Here's a suggestion that I have for you, though, for after you come home. If you don't keep maxi pads on hand, buy yourself some. You won't feel like "contorting your body" the way that you need to in order to insert a tampon for a few days. Regardless of how much you might hate using pads (if that's the case), you'll be glad to be prepared in this case.

Same problem here. I had to go sans undies... they charged me for the pads to put under me and the pads to put between my legs!!!! I guess any bit of money they can scrounge up is all good for them!haha

I suppose every doctor has different views on this, so, unfortunately, you may not know until you get there!! Sorry~

cheri

Tell the pre op n urse right away and they will give you a mesh panty to wear and you can put your pad in it. No tampons! You could sneak one in (in to surgery, I mean), but you may forget you are wearing it after surgery and may not be able to contort your body to remove it. The mesh panties are not inn "our" size, so be prepared for a tight fit. The pads they put underneath you are called "chux".

This shouldn't be a problem. I have had three c sections. Each time I came out of surgury they would have the mattress protection sqare things (blue plastic on one side and cotton on the other) plus a big huge diaper looking pad to lie on and a huge piece of cotton stuffed between the legs. I would think if told in advance the nurses would handle it the same.

gadget lady, I imagine if you are anything like me, you are thinking "darn it all, one more thing to worry about". Like the whole process is not scary/embarrassing enough. All I can tell you is that, I imagined the whole thing to be a lot worse than it was. I worried about what will I look like on the operating table etc. It was all over really quick, I woke up in recovery and WOW it was over. Yes, your period will add one more hassle, but the nurses will know just what to do and they are so nice. Good luck to you, and Happy New You and New Year!

I went into surgery with a brand new pair on and came out stark naked. LOL But they did allow me to leave them on as they were putting me to sleep but as soon as I was in dreamland, they cut those babies off. LOL

Hugs

Tera

Thanks for all the input. I guess we'll never know (lol) as my surgery has been postponed due to illness :-( :-( :-(

went into surgery with a brand new pair on and came out stark naked. LOL But they did allow me to leave them on as they were putting me to sleep but as soon as I was in dreamland, they cut those babies offI wonder what the big deal is, they don't go that low with the surgery anyway!

Eeew, eeeeew, EEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!!!!! I really didn't need to read ANY of that!

And yet it appears you read the whole thing (grin) <bwg></bwg>