Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I had surgery on monday, I came home last night, and I'm already so excited about this journey. I was told I could take a shower my first day home but I'm soooo anxious about getting my incisions wet and getting an infection! I'm also worried about fixing the tape/gauzes myself if they fall off. Any tips? How did you keep your incisions dry after your vsg?

Thankfully I have a removable shower head so I should be able to just avoid the area altogether. Want to hop in the shower but I need some advice first.

Also, unrelated but where I had my IV in feels like someone beat my hand to a pulp! Bumping into things or even bending my hand in some positions hurts, was anyone else this sore in the area of their IV?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It should be fine to shower.. if it worries you too much you can put some extra dressing whilst you shower then take it off.

The pain where the IV is normal... i had a bruised pain for around 2 weeks... i think i irritated the area whilst doing my laps around the ward with my IV in.. it will go away

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just be sure to use a clean towel and washcloth until they look like they wounds are sealed. I got Water proof band-aids at Walgreen's and put those on for the first week just because I'm paranoid. It wasn't a problem though, the glue worked well. But heck, I shaved my chest and stomach because I didn't want bald Patches. Talk about itching.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had steristrips. I was told not to let my incisions soak forever in the shower stream and not to scrub hard over them, but I had no problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can also get surgical soap from pharmacy. I put it on my incisions but do not rub.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting sleeved 8/1 and take my kids to a pond to play. How long do you think I should wait before going in that kind of Water? I mean, it's clean, but it's still a pond, not a pool.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just be sure to use a clean towel and washcloth until they look like they wounds are sealed. I got Water proof band-aids at Walgreen's and put those on for the first week just because I'm paranoid. It wasn't a problem though, the glue worked well. But heck, I shaved my chest and stomach because I didn't want bald Patches. Talk about itching.

oh no! shaving! I bet it *did* itch! yikes, I think I'd take the bald Patches instead. :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting sleeved 8/1 and take my kids to a pond to play. How long do you think I should wait before going in that kind of Water? I mean, it's clean, but it's still a pond, not a pool.

You definitely need to ask your surgeon but I would think 6-8 weeks for standing water. I'm not sure I'd take any chances sooner.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting sleeved 8/1 and take my kids to a pond to play. How long do you think I should wait before going in that kind of Water? I mean, it's clean, but it's still a pond, not a pool.

I was told not to submerge in water until my incisions had completely healed with no holes. It was about 4 weeks or so.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told I could shower but not have the Water hit my stomach directly. I stood with my back to the Water. I patted dry my gauze coverings. I only lost 1 before my 2 week post op.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This may sound crazy but when I had stitches in my knee I was told to wrap the knee with a plastic bag... If your super concerned might not be the best feeling but I would cut a plastic bag, like a kitchen garbage bag and tape it across until your finished showered... It's better than stressing about infections...

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edited by nyteacher125

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had two previous surgeries-one for burst appendix and one for hernias. I remember putting press and seal over my bandages. It worked really well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Aliel84 whenever you are released to go in the bath or swimming would be fine. I started using coconut oil in that area at 4 weeks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×