Bathing

Why can't we bath after an abdominal hysterectomy? Is it because we're not suppose to get our steristrip wet or is it a matter of getting an infection? I have been bathing without getting the strips wet. Just curious...
I'm two weeks post op today. I have to drive my daughter to doctor tomorrow since hubby going back to work. That should be interesting...
Go back to the dr. for a check up Wednesday. Got lots of questions.
How many of you all hate the bowl movements despite the softners they give you after this surgical trip?
I am raising my 3 month old niece too right now. I have to, have to hold her.

Hi Radrobyn!

I'm not clear if you were told not to bathe at all or "no baths."

Baths are a no-no as are swimming and hot-tubs. Nothing in your vagina for six weeks. You risk internal infection.

I was told, "showers are okay." (Just keep your back to the spray so you don't soak the strips.) Now, your doctor may have told you something else based on the type of surgery you had. Follow his/her instructions. (I have 4 dime-sized holes, not a larger incision) Getting the incisions wet can cause infection and delay healing.

If you can't shower, there are wet cloths available (the hospital gave me a supply -- they're like baby wipes only bigger) to allow you to cleanse without getting into the water.

The BM pains got MUCH better at the 10 day mark for me and I've since found Gas-X to be very helpful.

Please be very, very careful with your niece! Lifting and bending are two things we are warned not to do as they can disrupt your healing. (You risk tearing something internally.) I hope DH and DD can help you with her.

Get your rest and have a healthy recovery!

If you take a bath, the bath water gets into the vagina where you may have stitches, especially if you had your cervix removed. There is big risk of getting infection there from a bath. Please tell your doctor you have been taking a bath so he/she may check for infection. From now on, showers until your doctor tells you otherwise, ok? Please take care as you only have one chance to heal right the first time. Sending big hugs your way.

you have stitches at the top of your vagina where your cervix was removed and you dont want any type of bacteria getting in there. you risk getting a bad infection. usually its 4-6 weeks before you can take a bath or swim.

Do you mean bath as in sitting in a tub? So many bacteria in our water. I used to work at a wastewater plant as a chemist a long while ago and trust me, there are parts per billion of bacteria in our water. I'm scared of tap water. Hope you can just take simple showers till your 6 week post op appointment. Have your DH or someone help you scrub your feet and leg in shower. It's nice to be pampered, and toweling too for a few days. Wouldn't recommend holding a 3 month old baby or anything else besides your arms. Ouch.

For now
For later

I know! I am a bath nut also! I can't wait to get in the tub. No sense in calling my dr, because he says "no baths" at all! The whole time I've been seeing him...."no baths" "no baths"!
Also, I've been taking fibercon for help with bm. It helps. Sometimes there are still some pains and whatnots, but it is way better than first time after surgery!

Okay, I'm confused now...

I had LAVH with three tiny incisions all glued shut. The doctor on releasing me said I could take baths. Surprised, I said, "BATH baths?" He said yes. (I didn't anyway because my bathtub is huge and getting in and out was scary since I felt weak and sore).

Then, about two weeks post-op, I called to ask the doctor if I could get in the pool to walk since my knees have been giving me trouble with the long daily walks. Nurse said no, because of bacteria in the pool. I said, "oh, can water get up there?" She said no, but just the bacteria on the skin is a bad idea. Okay.

At my three week post-op visit, doc cleared me for pool, just said not to go swimming in lakes or streams for a while yet.

Maybe this is one of those areas where different docs do different things...Short story long, ask your doctor.

Luna

	Quote:
Originally Posted by focus aide I know! I am a bath nut also! I can't wait to get in the tub. No sense in calling my dr, because he says "no baths" at all! The whole time I've been seeing him...."no baths" "no baths"!

I was cleared to take a bath at my 6 week check-up. It didn't matter that the temp. was in the 90's here in Florida. It didn't matter that the Heat Index was over 100. I took a bath. It!Was!Bliss! I hit the beach two days later.

Hang in there! You're close to bathing nervana!

My doctor put my restrictions on my check out sheet from the hospital. Mine said only showers for 6 weeks, but I know some others who were allowed baths. I would check my discharge instructions or call the doctor before I bathed.