9 days post hysterectomy: When did you stop covering your incision site?

Just curious when I should stop bandaging the incision. The skin around it is getting pretty raw with all the taping, pulling it off etc.

I was wondering the same thing! I had DvH, so fortunately I can get creative with applying band aids at all angles, but I find by the end of the day I get annoyed by their presence.

I have gone a day without, but also like to keep the incisions moist with oil or neosporin - which then stains my clothes.

Very curious what others are doing.

I had a TAH with a 7" vertical incision closed with 38 staples. The nurses removed the bandage before I was released from the hospital three days after surgery. After that all I had to do was keep it clean and dry. I could let water run down over it when showering, but then patted it dry afterwards.

I was told *not* to put anything (oil, lotion, etc.) directly on the incision. I could apply things alongside the incision, but not on it. Also be aware that Neosporin is not just a moistener but an antibiotic. Using it when you don't actually have an infection contributes to the breeding of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

I was lucky, I had dissolvable sutures underneath the skin with super glue on top, never had any dressings on there.

My Dr removed mine when I left the hospital. 2 days after surgery.

My bandages we removed in the hospital. I have not had issues since. I am 4 days post-op.

My bandages and staples were removed in the hospital and I have never covered it since (besides with my underwear). I was told not to put anything on it until it completely healed up and it almost has.

My staple were uncovered by day 2 at the hospital. After the staples came out, I just wore panties that covered the vertical incision so that nothing rubbed on it. I kept it clean and dry all the time.

I did have one part open and so I had to have it covered till it healed. I put polysporin around it to keep it from becoming infected per doc's orders.

On my 3rd day post-op I removed the large bandage over the steri-strips and was advised that the steri-strips should fall off on their own after about 1 week. I'm now 9 days post-op and had a nice long hot shower to help soak the strips and I pulled them off today (came off very easily). I'm just wearing underwear and no other dressings - the incision looks good.