So I had my S-ICD implanted last Thursday and am slowly able to do more although it's all very surreal. I wondered if anyone had any advise about the healing of deep surgical wounds using degradable sutures. I've changed the wound dressing once and the one underneath my left breast has understandable curled and isn't degrading as much as the one under my arm. There's also still blood on them and the sutures are still hard. Does anyone know at what point I'll be able to take a shower and remove the wound dressings? I've been told 5 days to a week, but likewise I don't know what it would look like if I get to tomorrow and it's better to keep them on and perhaps continue to avoid getting them wet? I assume it's a possibility that they should stay on for longer but wouldn't know how to make that decision myself?
Thanks so much in advance!
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ToriP02
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Just use waterproof dressings if you can’t wait until you are healed.
The blood maybe from where you have disturb the scabs { there is a lot of movement in that area even if we try not to move }.
The stitches will do there own thing , they don’t tend to dissolve so well on the surface of the skin because they are not exposed to moister, they stay sort of crunchy { not a medical term } once the lower level, in your body, go , then you will find the top surface ones will go in the shower/ oil / moisturiser, over a short time.
Did the hospital give you some written instructions about caring for your wound along with a contact number?
If so give them a call.
Wound care is important.
Perhaps give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the Cardiac nurses? They are registered healthcare professionals who will be able to advise you appropriately.
Alternatively ask to speak to the Practice Nurse at your GP's surgery for advice.
Thanks for your response, I will be calling the hospital tomorrow but also wanted to see if anyone had any personal experience with this because I have been a little worried prior.
I was given a written set of instructions on wound care, washing, driving - don't forget to notify the DVLA and your car insurance company if you drive. If you did not get this, ask your cardiology dept to let you have some.
I was worried that if you had not been told about something as essential as wound care, they might have omitted the DVLA bit, and there's a big fine!I hope all goes well, and have a good Christmas. 🎄
I spoke with the nurse the week before about dvla and so ordered the forms. It wasn't ideal though as the nurse's advice was wrong anyway. I had to make a lot of phone calls to different apartments of the hospital to get th right advice in driving!
Hey.I hope your surgery went well. I have an ICD mine was covered with a clear dressing that I had to wait 7 days to remove, I was told not to bath or shower until the dressing was removed. I had a fair bit of blood under my dressing, I used cotton wool and a bit of warm water to clean it. I would definitely ring the arrythmia nurses at the hospital or if you have a community heart nurse. if really want I would say have a shallow bath so the water doesn't touch the dressings etc and try keep them dry.
Hope your recovery goes well and have a good Christmas xx
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