Shower After Surgery

[IcEbOx32 6]

Have a question !!! My nurse at the hospital said no matter what not to remove the steri-strips under the band aids but the NP at the office said to remove and take a shower. That I don't want anything wet sitting on incisions. It's already late Friday and I can't call the office and its not a medical emergency but I stink!! I want a warm shower!! So what did everyone else do when it came to your first shower after surgery!?? Please let me know ASAP!!!

[Chandra12 9]

I was banded a week ago and could shower the next day. I didn't. Waited two days. My steri-strips were covered with Tegaderm which is a clear adhesive dressing. The Tegaderm was to be removed on day two and the steri strips were to stay in place until they fell off on their own. Well - in attempting to remove the tegaderm it was impossible without removing the steri strips. I called my physicians office who said to go ahead and remove all of it so it didn't harbor bacteria. I did that. I didn't realize it but my husband called the surgery center and they said to leave it all on. Oops - too late. Regardless I haven't had any problems.

You should be safe to shower. They did tell me before discharge to stand so the Water hits your back and not your abdomen. I definitely agree!

Good luck.

[CB2 26]

I didn't have strips or even a bandaid on when I left hospital. Just glue. I showered the next day and I'm so happy now I can sit and bathe again! It's been 2 weeks and two days since surgery.

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

I had the steri strips. What they told me is to have my back to the Water so my belly didn't get too wet. They seal/stick firmly so water doesn't get under them. They wanted me to leave on for a couple weeks so the incisions closed up properly. I took off just before two weeks as they itched so bad and began irritating my skin.

[PattyGirl66 1,243]

I was told the next day, but because I was nervous to do this I waited only doing sponge baths at first. I have dermabond with steri strips that eventually fell off. When I did take my first shower I was just very careful NOT to scrub the incisions, I washed my entire body first and rinsed letting the Water fall over my belly. I am 4 weeks post-op and my incisions are still healing, nicely I was told

[IcEbOx32 6]

Thanks guys.. Just got out of the shower and I feel CLEAN. Kept the strips on.. We will see how it goes ..

[blpchick 50]

I didn't have steri strips I had band aids but I was allowed to shower after surgery and they didn't give me any restrictions on it. I was so glad cause the day after surgery I really wanted to take one and it made me feel a little better.

[mi_illusion_st 27]

BABYWIPES are great