When to change dressing?

[DarkStar85]

Hi all. Thanks for the advice so far. I had my first lap 2 days ago, DIE excision, cysts removed and organ all unstuck! I have 4 wounds and just wondering when I should change the dressings? Can't believe the nurse never advised me. I was too tired and in pain to remember to ask.

[Jem33]

hi I had a hysterectomy, salpingoopherectomy, bowel shave and pelvic clearance in Jan. I was told to keep my dressings on my 3 wounds for 5 days but not to worry if they fell off before. I changed them to fresh ones after a week and kept them on until my GP checked my wounds later in my 2nd week after surgery. My dressings were waterproof plasters.

After my c-section my dressing came off the day after and never redressed and there were no issues.

[DarkStar85 in reply to Jem33]

Thanks. I'm going to keep the dressings on for 7 days. My c section wound took 10 weeks to heal and I was showering and changing the dressing too much so I want to keep these as dry as possible to avoid that!

[Maggieeeeeeeeeeeeee in reply to Jem33]

Hi

That’s nice . Do you mind me asking did your GP booked you in for follow up post surgery . If so that’s very good practice. I couldn’t arrange anything like that

[Jem33 in reply to Maggieeeeeeeeeeeeee]

My consultant booked me in for follow up 6 weeks post op. GP hasn’t had anything to do with that.

[BloomingMarvellous]

call the hospital back for advice.

[Jenny_91-]

I left mine on for a week, they were hard to unstick, but I then re dressed them with waterproof plasters from the chemist. Left them on for another 3 days.

Hospital advised me 7-10 days. Hope that’s helpful x

[DarkStar85 in reply to Jenny_91-]

Thanks, very helpful. I will keep the dressing on for a week. I want to keep it as dry as possible as my c section wound took ages to heal I was showering and changing it too much!

[Maggieeeeeeeeeeeeee]

I wasn’t advised either. But I have some medical background so I changed it whenever it’s dark in colour. I think they say not to have a shover for few days past laparoscopy. I think best to call the clinic where you had The operation and ask them …. Or better send email they will respond to writing request.

[DoodleBug90]

I kept my dressing on for 10 days post-op as long as they looked dry and clean. i was told 7-10days for dressings. If any discharge that looks wet, then needs to be cleaned and changed as could be infected.