I have noticed that many people get infections after they go home. I have a Dr in the family and he sugested I get a antiseptic/ antimicrobial skin cleaner ( he gave a brand name, can we tell brand names here?) and to use it a couple of days before surgery on any areas where I will be opened. ie ; blood work, iv, surgery area. I haven't seen this on any of the 'what to do before surgery conversations', so that leaves me with questions.

1) Is this common knowlege so it doesn't need to be spoke of?

2) Has anyone used it, Did said person get an infection?

If bringing this up helps people not to get infections I feel we should spread the word, but if the product doesn't help, I would like to know that as well.

this should have been a no brainer for ..i had 2 scheduled c-secions and was given hibiclens... so after read this thread searched for it on line and found it at walgreens for $9.99... link below for those of us going to Mexico....thanks

hibiclens at walgreens

Good Question!!!

I forgot about this step completely. At pre-op I was given a bottle of soap (greenish blue bottle with brown liquid soap inside). I was given directions to wash the night before and the morning of surgery (just the stomach area). It was no big deal and I had no post surgery infections. I didnt have staples or stitches I had dermabond.

I am sure lots of pre-op ers are going to be glad you asked this question.

Good Luck on your journey!

Before my husband had his vasectomy he was supposed to wash his 'area' with Dial for 2-3 days prior. None of my pre-op instructions say anything about prior cleansing but I still need to read through the packet completely.

It was also recommended for me as well to get anti-bacterial soap and wash by belly with it for the few days pre-op. I really have a problem with this stuff as I think it PROMOTES the formation of antibacterial resistant bacteria. Basically you kill 99% of the bugs and the 1% that are left reproduce and inherit the ability of the resistance, and so the cycle goes. I also have to wonder what benefit this has since you typically wash the last time hours before surgery and then put on your relatively germy clothes and sit around a while getting sweaty and providing a good environment to reproduce MORE of the resistant bacteria. Just my 2 cents.