Lap wounds- how long to keep dressings on??

[AngelaW1234]

Hiya, I had my laparoscopy last Tuesday (1 week ago) and I have three keyhole wounds, each with dissolvable stitches. The surgeon told me I could remove the dressings the day after surgery and leave them uncovered from then on, but I felt worried about this due to clothes etc catching on them. I was really out of it when the nurse came and told me how to care for my wounds- she first told me that I should keep them covered for 9 days, then she said a week would do. (I was really groggy from the anaesthetic so didn’t think to pin her down on this!) I changed the dressings 4 days after the operation and I have more spare dressings.

Those who have had laps- please could you let me know when you uncovered your wounds and stopped using dressings?

Thanks so much!

[rae02]

Hi,

I had my lap on 31st May I was told to keep my wounds covered for a week which then they told me to see the practise nurse who then cleaned them up a little for me. She then said to leave them uncovered which I did and mine have healed really well, all the stitches are now out by one. I know it varies from hospitals on what to do with your wounds, when I had my appendix I had to keep them covered for longer and dress them myself.