I'm curious, what, if anything were you allowed to wear under your gown?

I am PRAYING that I will be able to wear my own undies and a loose fitting bra (just somethiing to keep the girls hidden)...

I know it might sound a little weird but I get very nervous about my personal areas and prefer to keep that just between me and the husband. I know they're professionals but im not sure if anybody will really understand the fears I have and thats ok.

Just curious what you guys experienced. My mom got the surgery done 4 or 5 yrs ago and cant remember if she was allowed to wear anything, but she does know she did NOT have a catheter put in. lol

Anything would be greatly appreciated!!

I had my 'girl time' and they gave me these horrendous paper underwear with a pad the size of a log to wear. If I hadn't had my monthly, I would have had to have been nekid. No catheter though

I was nekkid under my gown. I was hoping to be able to keep my undies on but nope....they said they had to go! I have 5 incisions total and one falls right between my breasts right where the bottom of my bra falls. I couldn't wear my bra at all for about a week, just tank tops. Hope that helps

They told me to keep my undies on

I can totally relate! That was the thing I worried most about going into surgery. I'm very self-conscious and didn't want anyone seeing anything! You are, in fact, supposed to be naked under your gown. They are professionals and the OR team does a good job during surgery to maintain the dignity and privacy of patients and they cover up any areas that do not need to be exposed with sheets. They have seen it all.

I also asked my surgeon about a catheter, because I did NOT want one. He said if I go to the bathroom before-hand, I would not need one. It worked out just fine.

I understand your worry, but it is just something that has to be done. Trust me, after the surgery-- you won't give it a second thought. Good luck!!

nothing on under the gown for me.

You won't be wearing anything under the gown. The OR is a sterile area and your undergarments are not. Don't worry I am a very modest person too. I even never went to the gyno prior to last year when I was 28 because I was mortified to be fully examined. Lucky for me they did not remove my gown prior to me being anesthetized, so I was unaware of it. I was even to groggy to say anything post op when they lifted my gown a couple times to check my incisions.

When I had my surgery they gave me the gown and left for me to dress. When she came back in she said "oh u can leave the undies on" so I put then back on. Idk that was my experience. I was a little embarrassed that I had taken them off and she had to tell me to put them back on

I think I posted this somewhere already -

the nurse suggested I wear a button down shirt the day of surgery so I did not have to lift my arms when getting dressed to go home.

I used to work for a Dr., and I know that as modest as we may be they are very respectful about keeping you and your body covered up. :ph34r:

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I'm curious too about my chest region... What if I said that I'd wrap some sterile gauze or an ace bandage around me to make sure that nothing up top slipped or showed? I sound crazy for wanting to take such drastic measures to stay covered but you have NO idea... lol

Do any of you think that underwear and gauze/ace bandage would be a huge deal for them to be respectful of?

Thanks! and keep the replies coming! this is helping!

Are you extremely modest or just not thrilled about your girly bits? I'm not sure about the gauze around your chest, but perhaps you could fib and tell them you have your time of the month? The underwears they give you are the pits though.

Are you extremely modest or just not thrilled about your girly bits? I'm not sure about the gauze around your chest, but perhaps you could fib and tell them you have your time of the month? The underwears they give you are the pits though.

Really I think its both!! In my opinion, if they're not operating on me down there or up there (yes I know incisions will be close to either area) it shouldnt matter if its covered or not. I don't care if they get blood on my undies or whatever, they're replaceable ...

I think most ORs are pretty strict with what they allow and don't allow. For example, you can't wear any jewelry or makeup and they have you shower with a special kind of soap before-hand.

Honestly, I know you are modest as are a lot of people, but I think it is just something you'll have to deal with (I mean this in the nicest way possible). They have seen it ALL. They will cover you up with sheets.

Also, did you need to have an EKG done pre-op? I had to have one pre-op and post-op in the hospital and you need to remove your top for that, too. Just wanted to prepare you.

Ugh, when I first got there, I was told I could leave my underwear on. I was grateful b/c my monthly decided to show a few days early. Once I got to the holding area, they told me absolutely nothing. I even explained to all of them about my monthly and they said they would put a pad under me but when I woke up, I had nothing. I even found out afterwards that they in fact put a cath in! I am a modest person and just embarass easily so to find out I had a cath, monthly and nothing under me, oh my!

I was totally naked under my gown

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I'm curious too about my chest region... What if I said that I'd wrap some sterile gauze or an ace bandage around me to make sure that nothing up top slipped or showed? I sound crazy for wanting to take such drastic measures to stay covered but you have NO idea... lol

Do any of you think that underwear and gauze/ace bandage would be a huge deal for them to be respectful of?

Thanks! and keep the replies coming! this is helping!

All of their instruments, clothing, etc are either autoclaved or one-use sterile. I would bring up your concerns, but wearing your own clothes or wearing un-sterile bandages will break the sterile field they have established.

I don't know that a medical practice would want to allow that to happen, even though it's more than likely safe. Can you imagine the type of feedback/lawsuits they could receive if a patient contracted an infection in surgery and died? I wouldn't chance it.