How long to leave dressing?

[Cearahw]

Hi all. I had my lap surgery done yesterday and it was my first op. Bloated and sore, can feel the incisions stinging a bit as they heal. I just wanted to know how long you left your dressings on? My discharge booklet says 48 hours but the nurse said 5 days which seems a bit long for the same dressings?

[jsuter]

I changed mine after 1 week, but due to the stitches not having dissolved and catching on my clothing I bought more bandages from Tesco and changed then every couple of days for about 5 weeks until the stitches were gone. I think everyone’s different and it comes down to personal preference.

[princessk09]

I got told to take it off after 6-8 hours so I just left it on overnight xx

[Thecraftyadder]

My first lap they said a week (same dressing). My second I was told 14 days but they told me to change the dressing every 3 days. I'd go with what the nurse says but if the dressing is uncomfortable due to dried blood etc then maybe change it if you can get hold of some.

[ccsmith]

Depends on the type of dressing! If it’s waterproof (it usually has a type of plastic sticky edge to it) 5 days will be fine. If it feels papery then I would say 48hrs! If you have a lot of dried blood on I would take it off and put a clean dressing over the top. You can go to supermarkets boots etc and buy simple sticky dressing squares. I would say keep it covered a few days then see how you go. Like another person has mentioned the stitches can get caught in clothing etc and be uncomfortable. I’m a nurse and I like ‘air getting to wounds’ like yours! If your worried see the nurse at your GP surgery .