Third week post op laparoscopy

[Kirbywar]

Hi everyone, I had my first laparoscopy and I am off for 6weeks. I had a very long surgery and was in hospital for 3 nights. They have removed all of my endometriosis, including around my bowels.It is week 3 and my wounds are healing slowly. The surgical glue has not all come off yet. I was wondering when I can start washing my wounds?

When water is on my wounds it stings, the nurse didn't give any information of how to take care of my wounds and when it's ok to wash my wounds.

Also will the bruises on my stomach fade away?

[charlatan]

Hi,

I had similar surgery myself. You can start washing your wounds everyday - I certainly did although my boyfriend had to hold me up in the shower, bless him. Sensitivity to water is also completely normal. The nerve endings are easily stimulated in the area where you’ve had your incisions. This will fade with time as will the bruising which is also totally normal. A friend told me my bruising was so bad it looked like I’d been shot. Also, it took months for all my surgical glue to finally come off. There was one chunk left and it was very uncomfortable, kept catching on my clothes and so on, then I was towelling off after a shower, it caught on the towel and tore it off. Hurt quite a lot but that’s one way to do it.

Don’t worry - I felt all kinds of wrong for months after my surgery. It’s traumatic for your body, it’ll just take some time to recover.

All the best x

[Pisi in reply to charlatan]

Hello.. It is very strange that nurses didn't tell you what to do with the incisions. I had my lap 4 weeks ago and I can barely see where I had my 4 incisions.. I kept mine covered with waterproof bandages for 2 weeks. I changed them every 3-4 days so I didn"t have them wet at all and I showered normally every day. I was given spare bandages from the hospital when i left. They all healed so nice in 2 weeks, no bruising at all. So maybe you should not get them wet very often and keep them covered till they start healing. That would prevent the clothes getting stuck to your wounds and other problems. Or at least cover them with waterproof bandages when you shower. I only cleaned mine with surgical spirit but they were very neat and didn't really need much. Also keep an eye on any liquid coming out from inside your wounds, if it smells so you can avoid any infections. I was under antibiotics for some days as I was afraid I might get an infections on 2 of my incisions and went to Gp. She said they are not infected but were healing slower than the other 2 and gave me antibiotics just in case and because it was before Christmas and not easy to get to a doctor if needed. I hope this helps you. You can always call the hospital for advice, they should have given you a number where to call in case you need help. You take care!

[Kirbywar in reply to Pisi]

Thank you Pisi I was prescribed with laxative and blood thinning injections. The nurse said if there is any problems like heavy bleeding this is the emergency number I should call. At the time most nurses was on strike.

[Pisi]

Hello.. It is very strange that nurses didn't tell you what to do with the incisions. I had my lap 4 weeks ago and I can barely see where I had my 4 incisions.. I kept mine covered with waterproof bandages for 2 weeks. I changed them every 3-4 days so I didn"t have them wet at all and I showered normally every day. I was given spare bandages from the hospital when i left. They all healed so nice in 2 weeks, no bruising at all. So maybe you should not get them wet very often and keep them covered till they start healing. That would prevent the clothes getting stuck to your wounds and other problems. Or at least cover them with waterproof bandages when you shower. I only cleaned mine with surgical spirit but they were very neat and didn't really need much. Also keep an eye on any liquid coming out from inside your wounds, if it smells so you can avoid any infections. I was under antibiotics for some days as I was afraid I might get an infections on 2 of my incisions and went to Gp. She said they are not infected but were healing slower than the other 2 and gave me antibiotics just in case and because it was before Christmas and not easy to get to a doctor if needed. I hope this helps you. You can always call the hospital for advice, they should have given you a number where to call in case you need help. You take care!