Pre-op shaving?

Here I am, a 50something woman with an embarrassing question. I'm not a prude, but I have never had a bikini wax or any kind of "grooming" in my bikini area.

Should I do anything before I go for a vaginal hysterectomy? I don't have a real sister....this is great...I can ask anonymously!!

I was just told to shave down to just past my pubic bone, and that was all!

Hi, it is not an embarrassing question. I cleaned up my "area" before surgery, but then freaked out because I didn't want a raw area that could cause issues, so soon to surgery. If you want to wax I would do it at least 2-3 weeks prior to surgery to avoid open follicles and allow healing to occur. I am an esthetician and have done and had my share of waxing. I had a TVH and the area was covered with betadine. Hopefully this helps. What's funny is I am 54 and have only been waxing for a couple of years, my teenage girls finally said, "mom, it's time to get rid of the forest."

I keep my area very neatly trimmed on my own but was not told to shave it or do anything.............they shaved it all off after I was out the morning of surgery!!! It has been a WONDERFUL experience growing back in!!! LOL!!! Let the scratching begin!!!

I had a brazilian done before I had my hysterectomy. Have it done early if you decide to wax (like the other lady said). When they shave you, it's with a disposable razor and it itches like heck.

You really should not do anything yourself prior to your surgery unless your doctor instructs you to. It has been reported by some members who shaved themselves beforehand, only to have their surgery cancelled for the risk of infection. I had a TVH and was not shaved at all. Be sure to ask your doctor. Don't worry about asking, it's just a part of surgical procedure and you don't have to be embarrassed.



Deb

Ditto to Crossfire. You shouldn't do any pre op to yourself unless you are instructed to do so.

Thanks, everyone....

I was told NOT TO DO ANY SHAVING - they would take care of it in preop and they did. I thought I would be embarassed but it was no big deal.. They do it every day. If the dr. did not tell you to shave - I would not do it.

Not an embarrising question at all. I keep my self trim there but not by waxing or shaving but with a bikini trimmer (kind of like a beard trimmer but for women). I trimmed everything up about a week prior to surgery, when I went to my post op they made a HUGE deal about NOT shaving or waxing before surgery because of the bumps you get, or a razor could carry bacteria and you could get a minor cut you are not even aware of that could lead to serious infection post surgical. They told me they have to cancel several surgery's because women do not head there advise and shave the day or 2 before surgery and have redness/irratiation, etc and the told me to leave it all alone they would take care of it.