how do I wash my hair?

[I-smile-at-dogs]

silly question I know but I’m due to have open heart surgery very soon. I’m a 38 year old woman with long,blonde, curly hair. Can anybody give me some advice on how you washed your hair post surgery? I have a good support network so can get help if needs be. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[bl00bell]

Hi , I recently saw whilst watching QVC in the UK a product made by freshwipes specifically for people unable to wash their own hair whilst in hospital or at home . FreshWipes Shampoo Caps Set of 4 , may be worth a look on the QVC website or google them . Good luck with your surgery , I wish you a speedy recovery and a lovely clean fresh head of hair 😀

[BeKind28-]

Hello

When I had my triple Bypass when they started to allow me to shower I just made sure I stood backwards towards the shower head so all the water and shampoo missed my scar

When I got home I have a shower over the bath and I bought a really cheap plastic bath chair but for me it was worth buying it and I would sit on that again with the shower head behind me and my husband would wash my hair and make sure the water ran down my back and not my front

It did not take long before I was standing under the shower and no longer needed the chair and I again would stand with my back towards the shower and make sure the shampoo and water ran down the back of me and tried to avoid getting my scar wet

You will soon master it even if you need some help how to wash your lovely long curly blonde hair without getting your chest wet it surprises you how quick you work it out

Good luck with your operation I hope everything goes well and you will let us know how you get on x

[MissDolittle]

Long, curly haired brunette here and after 5 days of not washing my hair …. I didn’t even notice or care! You’ll be a bit to preoccupied in hospital, but once I was home I did manage. I had an open wound so had to avoid getting it wet and it just became exhausting to figure out on my own. So I now have lots of funny pictures of me with my head over the kitchen sink and my mum washing my hair.

The thing I took ages to figure out wash shaving my legs- so if that sort of thing bothers you get them waxed before the operation, or like me you might end up in the garden sat on a sun lounger with an electric razor 😂

Good luck with it all and if you have any other questions just ask, trust me no question is to silly ❤️

[MountainGoat52]

I had my bypass op on a Monday and was allowed to shower on the Saturday before going home. It was like becoming normal again, but I hadn't been concerned about not having a shower in the interim. All I had to do was try to avoid wetting the bandage covering my scar. The sites on my leg and arm where the blood vessels were harvested were not a problem, being no worse than if I'd cut myself.

[Sljp0000]

I had a shower washing my hair 5 days after surgery. The health care assistant did it for me whilst I sat in a shower chair. They don't worry about getting your scars wet. Buy a shower chair b4 your procedure. I always felt a little faint in the shower so it's safer to sit down. If you've not got anyone to get in the shower with you (my husband did mine....in a fashion!!) then you'll be fine doing it yourself as long as you're not stretching for anything.

All the best, Susie x

[MumaLines]

When you go home, use the lovely people around you. You will have to wait and see what feels the most comfortable position when trying to wash your hair.

You can try standing backwards in the shower and get someone to wash your hair as you will not be able to put your arms up. Maybe try learning over the bath whilst someone washes your hair quickly.

The quicker someone washes it the better to cut down any strain on your chest wound and then get someone to dry your lovely long hair.

I was unable to use a towel properly to dry myself so my tip is to dry yourself and your scars with your hairdryer as you will not be able to reach all over with a towel to start with.

It won’t be as bad as you think and remember we are all here for you xxxxxx

[Traveldreams]

hi,

I have curly hair too and read horror stories of post op issues after time in ICU and people not being able to comb through it! I followed advice to plait it (non metallic hair bands at the end). In hospital and for the first two weeks at home it was combed through with a wet comb daily (initially by HCA, then family members and finally me) and replaited . Not ideal but I didn’t have to cut, treat or unmat at any point. For the first three weeks I honestly don’t think I cared. I then progressed to sitting next to bath while someone else washed my hair for me as this was easy to get up from and I wouldn’t have dared wash in shower as I already had slight sternum wound infection. Now washing myself but still not in shower.

Best of luck x

[DodgyTickerMum]

Hiya,

I had my surgery nearly 10 months ago now. I didn’t get to shower for a few days post op, until I was back on the ward. The first time, I had 2 H.C.As’ help me (on a shower chair). I was a bit mortified - as never thought I wouldn’t be able to shower myself (aged 49!) However, was struggling with a really low B.P and anaemia, plus you’re not supposed to lift your arms up to your head - so had little option. They put a waterproof dressing on in theatre, which was ok to get wet and was changed on day 6.

The trouble is, everything is a huge effort after your op and showering initially wld wipe me out, so sometimes it was a couple of hours before I had the strength to have my hair dried. (My Sis wld help if she was there and if I was really desperate - my Husband!) 🤦🏼‍♀️ It was morning 6 when I finally felt well enough to actually do something with my hair and put some make up on, ready for my son & daughter to visit for the first time, later that day. I think that’s when I turned a corner with my recovery.

Wishing you all the best for your surgery. You just have to think of being in hospital as a bit like childbirth. You leave your dignity at the door and collect it on your way out! (If you can laugh a little along the way, that certainly helps!) Take care. ❤️‍🩹

[fatbarry]

I too have long curly hair and had ohs 9 months ago. I had several showers in hospital and was discharged on day 5 - the only advice was to not use highly scented products on the scar. I don't remember having any problems washing my hair - had to wash it on the morning of the op anyway and then plaited it so it lasted a good few days! Good luck! Xx

[Anon2023]

hi. You can buy shampoo caps in boots or on Amazon (and other places online) These don’t require rinsing and I used them in the first days after surgery. Your hair won’t feel as good as it does after a proper wash but they are a short term solution.