I was banded on 12/8/2008 and the first two days were really rough with the gas traveling and my abdomen feeling like it was going to rip apart every time I moved. Today I still have some gas rumbling but I have been afraid of taking a shower and have been washing up really good. Should my incision sites be healed up by now to where I can take a shower? Also, the big incision and one on my side are the only ones that bother me. I keep holding my stomach right around the big incision because it feels as if my stomach is going to fall out because of the pulling sensation. Anyone have the same feelings?

At the hospital prior to discharge they should've told you when you could shower. It depends on your incision sites and what type of dressing is on them. For me, it was 24 hours post op.

Don't you have steri strips or something covering your incisions? To feel comfortable while they are braced with, say, a pillow, is common, but you should be able to move around etc without them popping open!

I was also banded on 12-08-08. I have been surprised how sore I have been. They did advise me to shower and remove the bandaids on day one. I have staples. My biggest problem has been the gas moving around and up into my left shoulder. I'm ready to get back to feeling normal. Today is my first day of full liquids. Hope you feel better tomorrow. :wink:

24 hours is the average time to wait until you take a shower. I avoided facing the shower head straight on because I didn't want to mess up my steri-strips. I kept turning sideways.

I was also banded on the 8th. My incisions are covered with waterproof dressings and I was told to shower as normal from the morning after my op and when the dressings start to come off take them off. i have steri strips underneath. I have been very lucky I haven't really had any pain just discomfort in my left shoulder. I hope you're feeling better soon.

I found that wearing the binder that I was given in the hospital made a HUGE difference.

I showered in the hospital. Nothing like a 4am shower. LOL Then I was told to shower every day and wash with the soap they gave me. I had staples, but they took them out before they discharged me and put steri strips on. I still have one lingering strip, and I got banded on Nov 19th.

I was banded on 12/8/2008 and the first two days were really rough with the gas traveling and my abdomen feeling like it was going to rip apart every time I moved. Today I still have some gas rumbling but I have been afraid of taking a shower and have been washing up really good. Should my incision sites be healed up by now to where I can take a shower? Also, the big incision and one on my side are the only ones that bother me. I keep holding my stomach right around the big incision because it feels as if my stomach is going to fall out because of the pulling sensation. Anyone have the same feelings?

Sandybabe, Shower it will make you feel FANTASTIC just no scrubbing. I was in pain for TWO Weeks I had a pulling like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't drive , I couldn't pick anything up and I couldn't sit at a table with my family to eat. I called the dr. to see if he tied my port to my rib cage:cursing:. He said that he had to sew it to my abdominal muscle so it stays in place and that is the pulling sensation and as my abs get stronger the pain will be less.

I had my surgery on 11/18 this is my first week of feelin FANTASTIC. I can tell you I did alot of stretching in a hot shower. It helped relax my muscles and it helped remove some of the gas.

I brought a pillow with me everywhere I went. I also had a microwavable heat pad and I kept that on my port side and that helped alot with the pain.:wink2: I still hold my port side when laughing or coughing!!!

It gets better I promise ...big hugs:smile2: