Simple everyday tasks can quickly become complex and frustrating when you are recovering from surgery; the bathroom or shower is no exception. Since most surgical incisions must remain dry, you can only shower if you follow your doctor's exact instructions. He may advise you to wait a certain amount of time before starting to wash, cover the wound thoroughly, or take both precautions. Depending on the type of surgical procedure you have undergone, your normal personal hygiene routine may be uncomfortable due to limited mobility; it may also be difficult to move safely in the limited space of the shower. Make sure you wash yourself safely to avoid possible infections and injuries.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Wash the Engraving Area Safely
Step 1. Follow your doctor's directions for bathing or showering
The doctor knows the extent of the operation and knows how to best proceed during the convalescence.
- Each doctor provides clear instructions to follow during the first few days after surgery, including when it's safe to start washing. These indications are mainly based on the type of operation performed and the suturing method used during the procedure.
- Personal hygiene instructions are provided upon discharge from the hospital. Contact your doctor promptly if you are not properly trained to prevent possible infections, avoid injury, and proceed with recovery.
Step 2. Find out how the incision was sutured
You need to know more about the type of suture performed, to avoid the risk of further injuring yourself and contracting some infection.
- The four main methods that are used to close a surgical cut are: with thread (sutures), with staples, with steri strips, sometimes also called butterfly patches, and with surgical glue.
- Many surgeons also apply a waterproof bandage over the incision to allow the patient to shower normally when he feels ready.
- In many cases, it is accepted to expose the wound closed with surgical glue to a gentle flow of water 24 hours after the operation.
- Once the wound has healed, it may be necessary to remove the sutures, in other cases, absorbable ones are applied instead, which dissolve into the skin without the need for manual intervention to remove them.
- To take care of incisions closed with non-absorbable sutures, with staples or with steri strips, it is necessary to keep the area dry for a long time. To make sure you don't get the cut wet, you'll need to keep sponging or covering the affected area while showering.
Step 3. Gently wash the surgical site area
If it is not necessary to cover the incision, be careful to avoid rubbing it with the cloth.
- Clean the area with mild soap and water, but do not allow soap or other cleaning products to come into direct contact with the wound. Let the water flow gently over the skin.
- Most surgeons recommend that you go back to using your usual soaps and hair care products.
Step 4. Carefully dry the area of the incision
Once you have finished showering, remove the cover you protected the wound with (this could be gauze or a band-aid, but Not remove the stitches) and make sure the skin is dry.
- Gently blot with a clean towel or gauze.
- Do not rub too hard and do not remove any visible sutures, staples or steri strips.
- Do not pinch the incision or disturb the scab that is forming until it comes off on its own to prevent the wound from bleeding again.
Step 5. Apply only creams or ointments that are prescribed for you
Do not use any topical products on the wound unless specifically directed by your surgeon.
When you change the bandage as directed by your doctor, you may need to apply a topical cream. Antibiotic creams or ointments are usually prescribed as part of the dressing process, but regular over-the-counter topical products should only be used if specifically recommended by the surgeon
Step 6. Leave the steri strips or butterfly patches on site
Once the period of keeping the area dry is over, you can safely wet the stitches; however, you don't have to take them off until they come off on their own.
Gently pat the area dry, including the steri strips, until they rest on the wound
Part 2 of 4: Keep the Engraving Dry
Step 1. Keep the affected area dry if your doctor tells you to
It is also important to keep it dry to avoid infections and promote healing; this can mean delaying the shower for 24-72 hours after the surgical procedure.
- Stick to the surgeon's recommendations. Surgery can involve many complications, and you can avoid the risk of infection or damage to the incision site by following your doctor's specific instructions.
- Keep some gauze on hand so you can dab the area as needed during the day, even when you don't have water available.
Step 2. Cover the cut
Depending on the specific directions your surgeon gives you, you can take a shower when you feel able, if the incision is in a place on your body that you can carefully cover with waterproof material.
- Most surgeons provide clear instructions as to which methods they think are best for covering the cut site while showering.
- You can use a clear plastic bag, trash bag, or cling film to fully protect the engraving; use medical tape to seal the edges and prevent water from entering the covered area.
- If you have trouble getting to the area to cover, ask a family member or friend to cut a plastic bag or cling film to place it on the affected area and tape it up.
- If the surgery was performed on one shoulder or upper back, in addition to covering the site it may be helpful to "wear" a garbage bag as if it were a cloak, to prevent water, soap and shampoo lifeguard the skin. If, on the other hand, the cut is in the chest area, you can put the bag on as if it were a bib.
Step 3. Do some sponging
Until you are allowed to take a shower, you can freshen up with sponging, without touching the incision and keeping it dry.
Use a sponge or cloth soaked in water and a small amount of neutral detergent; then dry with a clean cloth
Step 4. Avoid bathing in the tub
Most surgeons recommend showering after the time the area needs to stay dry has elapsed and when you feel strong enough to wash.
Do not immerse the affected area in water, do not sit in a bathtub or whirlpool, and do not go swimming for at least three weeks or until your doctor instructs you otherwise
Step 5. Take a quick shower
Most surgeons recommend a five-minute shower until you feel stronger and the incision has healed.
Step 6. Ensure stability
Ask someone to stay with you all the time during the first showers alone.
- Depending on the surgical procedure you have undergone, you may need to use a stool, chair, or handrail to have stability in the shower and avoid falling.
- If the operation involved knees, legs, ankles, feet and back, it can be difficult to find a safe balance in a confined area such as the shower stall. you can get extra support with a chair, stool or handle.
Step 7. Find a position that allows you to keep the cut area away from the flow of water
Prevents the injury from being directly subjected to the force of a violent shower.
Adjust the flow before entering the shower so that the water has an ideal temperature and pressure to protect the incision
Part 3 of 4: Preventing Infections
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of an infection
This is the main complication that can develop after surgery.
- Contact your doctor right away if you think the cut is becoming infected.
- Symptoms may include fever of 38 ° C or higher, nausea, vomiting, severe pain, new redness at the incision site, tenderness, warmth to the touch, discharge of foul-smelling, gray or green fluid, and a new swelling in the affected area.
- Studies have found that 300,000 people in the United States who have undergone surgery each year have developed an infection; of these, about 100,000 died of the infection.
Step 2. Know if you are at risk of getting an infection
Certain situations and characteristics make some people more likely than others to develop one or to a new intervention to reopen and dress the wound.
Some risk factors are obesity, diabetes, a weak immune system, inadequate nutrition, taking corticosteroids, or smoking
Step 3. Take precautions regarding basic hygiene rules
There are some general steps you can take at home to avoid an infection, including washing your hands thoroughly and often, always using clean tools when changing dressing, and after showering to pat dry the wound.
- Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom, handling the trash can, touching pets, dirty laundry, anything outside the home, and after touching dirty dressing material.
- Take precautions to advise other family members and guests to wash their hands before making contact with the person who has undergone the surgery.
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before the procedure in the hospital if possible, although four to six weeks beforehand is best. Smoking slows the healing process, depriving tissues of needed oxygen and potentially causing an infection.
Part 4 of 4: Knowing When to Contact Your Doctor
Step 1. Call your doctor if you develop a fever
It is not uncommon to have a mild fever after a rather major surgery, but if your body temperature is 38 ° C or higher, it could indicate an ongoing infection.
Other signs of infection that require immediate medical attention are: the appearance of new red areas around the surgery site, pus oozing from the wound, foul-smelling or dark fluid leaking from the cut, pain, warmth to the touch, or new swelling in the area
Step 2. Call your doctor if the incision starts to bleed
Wash your hands thoroughly, apply gentle pressure using a clean gauze or towel, and see your doctor immediately.
Make sure you are cautious and don't put too much pressure on the wound, wrap the area with clean, dry gauze until you are examined by your family doctor or emergency room
Step 3. Seek medical attention if you experience any unusual symptoms
If you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or jaundice, which is a yellowish color of the skin or eyes, see your doctor as soon as possible.
