Is it normal to keep having to change your dressing after laparoscopy?

[La23]

Yesterday I had my laparoscopy and as I was about to leave I showed them my dressing which was very bloody. They changed it and gave me an extra dressing saying that should do. As soon as I got home last night I needed to change it again. And this morning it’s filled with blood again so I’m going to have to pop to the pharmacy to get some more dressings. It wouldn’t worry me at all except that the nurse seemed to think it shouldn’t need changing again, did anyone else experience this?

[Gothchic]

Hiya, maybe call the hospital ward you where on and tell them, with mine I didn’t have much bleeding my was glued together but I’m guessing everyone would be different. I hope your laparoscopy went well, all the best in your recovery, try not to move around to much in the first few days, try to rest. Xx

[La23 in reply to Gothchic]

Thank you!

[Cockapoo-2016]

Hi ThereWhen I had my lap two months ago. I had no after care plan on how to take care of your wounds from the nurse or surgeon.

My wounds where very bloody and I had to change my dressing two a day. The hospital didn't give my enough dressings so I had to go to the pharmacy for more.

I was recommended by my partner mum who is a retired nurse, to clean my wounds twice a day with sterling saline when the wounds are quiet bloody. After a few days once the bleeding calms down clean your wounds clean hydrogen peroxide keeps infection away. I guess you might be bleeding due to having stitches, as I bleed with stitches.

Hope all goes well with your healing.

Best wishes xxx.

[La23 in reply to Cockapoo-2016]

Amazing thanks! Xx

[Cockapoo-2016 in reply to Cockapoo-2016]

Your welcome. I forgot to mention after a week or two completely remove your dressings, but still continue to clean your wounds with hydrogen peroxide as the wounds are not covered after a week or two still need to keep the wounds clean to prevent any infection or bacteria growing as you are wounds are still healing and I don't know if you have disloved stitches so keep on top of it. 😊💙

[Greenblue55]

Hello, I've had a few laparoscopies and a mix of stitches and glue. Each time the first post-surgery dressing was bloody but things calmed down quite quickly for me. Heading home with clean dressings I didn't have to change them for a few days and could be without dressings after a week or so. If you're bleeding enough to change dressings every day or more, I'd definitely give the hospital a call. They should be able to give you the best steer. Good luck and hope the rest of your recovery goes well.

[La23 in reply to Greenblue55]

Thank you!

[AlexaMac in reply to Greenblue55]

hi l am 76 and having lap for removal of 5 inch cyst both ovaries and both fallopian tubes, what would be your advice on pain, cleanliness of wound and a gentle walk around my garden 🌺🌻🌺 thank you, much appreciated

[Greenblue55 in reply to AlexaMac]

Hi AlexaMac, I hope your surgery all goes well. In general, your surgeon and ward nurse will give you all the advice on your particular recovery, but I'm happy to share a few things I've found... 1). unless it's bleeding a lot, smells bad, feels hot, or you're told differently by the nurse, try and leave your dressings alone for the first couple of days you're home and let your body do it's thing! 2). Take seriously the advice about not lifting much at all, that includes avoiding full kettles and really anything more than a book. You may have small wounds on the outside but your body has been through a lot on the inside. 3). Roll onto your side before getting out of bed and use your arms to lift yourself, be kind to your back and stomach muscles for at least a week. 4). Speak to your nurse about managing pain once the anesthetic fully wears off, I used OTC pain medication every 4-6 hours for the first few days at home. 5). Listen to your body when it comes to exercise, it knows best! Moving around between bed and sofa is great, and a gentle walk round the garden sounds great. If you get any shooting pains or breakthrough bleeding, rein it in the next day, and building a walk outside gradually. I think I was doing 30 mins gentle walk each day after 2-3weeks. But it will depend how active you were beforehand and the nature of your op. 6). Listen to your surgeon if they advise you need longer to recover than you thought before the op, better to recover well, than quickly in my opinion. 7). Heat can help, a hot water bottle or wheat bag on your stomach or over your shoulder for the gas pain was lovely for me. And 8). Listen to your body, sleep as much as you need, and if something doesn't feel right based on the information from the hospital, call the ward, they are there to support your recovery.

[AlexaMac]

hi thank you, am hopefully getting op mid June after being bumped 3 times for health reasons the most recent one for a heart murmur found by my ANP at my pre op assesment, also had Covid for 3 weeks, it never rains but it pours in life. Thank you for the advice will hopefully say l am all well in about 4 weeks, stay well and safe 🤗