TAH incision - how to care for it

I am going to have the veritical "frankenstein" incision (as someone here called it - I stole it ) Anyway, how do you care for the incision - can you take a shower and get it wet? Did you put ice packs on it to reduce the swelling? What about creams for the scar - what works best to heal it?

Thanks so much!

Hi 99percentsure,
As long as staples are in, showers only and incision is to be gently cleaned with antibacterial soap, rinsed and patted dry gently. Keep it clean and dry. Once staples are out and it has healed well enough, ask you doc about creams. If steri strips are put on after staples come out, they can get cleaned the same ways as staples and will usually come off on their own a few at a time by 7 to 10 days later. Some docs don't want you massaging your incision until it has healed well. Ice is always great for pain and swelling relief. I used it 20 minutes every other hour. You don't want to leave it on for long periods of time because it causes the blood vessels to constrict and that will not encourage healing. Your discharge papers should have your doctor's orders for incision care. Best wishes!!

It's Frankinbelly!

Hello 99percentsure,

Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for your incision, I would go by that. Simply because I have seen so many different instructions on here because of different situations (infection, etc.).

But, I will tell you mine. I showered the next morning, getting my incision wet and soapy. Pat dry. I did the same when I got home.

Before the staples come out, keep it clean and dry.

After the staples; keep it clean, clean, clean. Hands too, because a closed incision (weeks after surgery can still get infected). I was allowed to massage my incision with whatever I wanted (I use Albolene) to keep scabs from forming (causes scars) and to keep the blood supply flowing at the incision which promotes healing. You can use whatever you like, as it is the massaging that promotes healing, but I have read that some ladies like Scarguard or Mederma. I still massage mine after my shower, every time I use the ladies room, and before bed.

I can not stand heat on my incision or belly post-op, which is strange cause it felt good pre-op. I did use ice packs post-op and it feels so good!

Good luck,

bitterpill

Edited to add: My staples were in for two weeks, yours may not be, so incision care is going to vary.

This may sound really strange, but I have never wanted to even touch my caserean scar - and I don't like my husband to either. It just feels strange - not painful or anything - but just not like the rest of my body. So massaging my scar? Really? How do you do that? I'm not being silly - I am serious.

I was told to put peroxide on my scar (while the staples were in) and now out and then bacitracin... Once again, how the opinions vary...

My nurses said to shower, using soap, then let the water run over my incision, pat dry, and even blow dry using cool setting on my hair dryer.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by 99percentsure This may sound really strange, but I have never wanted to even touch my caserean scar - and I don't like my husband to either. It just feels strange - not painful or anything - but just not like the rest of my body. So massaging my scar? Really? How do you do that? I'm not being silly - I am serious.

I don't think you are being silly at all. You just take the cream you like and rub it on. The other benefit to rubbing (massaging ) some sort of moisturizer on it, at least for me, is that if the incision gets too dry, it becomes stiff and then it becomes sore. If you do not like touching your scar, I have dabbed the moisturizer onto it with one of those cotton makeup squares.

Good luck!

bitterpill

Edited to add: I am not advocating putting anything on anyones incision. I discussed with my doctor what was best for me. If your doctor says Vasoline, peroxide, Vit. E, follow his/her directions. I just felt the need to say that cause I am not a nurse or have any medical authority on any given subject.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by PattieO I was told to put peroxide on my scar (while the staples were in) and now out and then bacitracin... Once again, how the opinions vary...

No kidding about opinions varying. My doctor said do not put peroxide on my incision w/without staples as there is no active infection. Peroxide harms healthy tissue and slows healing. (Plastic surgeon I worked for preached the same thing to his patients.)

Well, opinons are like belly buttons

(((bitterpill))) I was told the same thing about not using peroxide by the surgeon who did my colectomy as well as the plastic surgeon I saw afterwards about the incision.

Peroxide (even in the dilute strength sold in drugstores) damages the fibroblasts that we need to heal the incision and delays healing, and can increase scarring. It can also weaken dissolvable stitches that are used to close the incision, causing them to break too easily:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0731085507.htm

I was told only to take warm showers and let the soapy water run over the incision, then air dry (as long as staples were in) or pat dry (after staples came out), and not to apply anything to the incision until the DR decided it had sealed, which was at about four weeks post op.

I was told not to massage or press on my incisions for the first several weeks. To help minimize scar tissue formation (adhesions) under the incision, I was told to move slowly and smoothly, no sudden jerking movements, and was prescribed an antiinflammatory (Vioxx at the time, but now he prescribes Celebrex):

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/19315.php

I hope this helps. As you can see, DRs do differ on this, and you'll want to ask yours what he/she wants you to do.

Good luck with your surgery!
s,
-Linda

Hello surferbabe!

Doctors differ, our bodies, healing time, instructions, the list is endless. My incision was closed at just two weeks and was allowed to apply something. Others may take longer. It is so important to follow the doctors orders.

God bless,

bitterpill