Hesitant to shower with stitches.. am I alone?

[kanchan]

Had my first visit po Tues the 6th and surgery wed the 330 PS removed bandages and I have the stiches with the steri-strips... PS says that once I shower the stitches will probably ooze, can anyone share what to expect. I get visions of one of the steri-strips loosening and pulling on the next and causing trouble... I have such a vivid imagination that it is making me not want to shower still yet. I have my hair washed once a week by my hairdresser and have been ok with just spongebathing to date but the thought is creeping in that sooner or later I need to start showering again, I feel like a little kid that is terribly embarrassed to even admit this and say it here but that's my goofy concern for today.
Thanks for any support and input,

[lopa]

At my preop, my PS said showering w/ surgi-strips in place was ok if I got them dried off afterwards. He said to use a hairdryer set on the lowest, coolest setting. My surgery's not til the 22nd, so I can't vouch for this.

[anjali]

I had surgery the 28th of Nov. I have stitches too, but I have surgical, white tape over all my incisions. Like you, I am terrified to get them wet. MY PS said it was okay, but if they come off to just change the tape. I am grossed out thinking about what I look like underneath. I sit in the tub with my shower head in my hand and wash my body and hair that way. No matter how hard I try, I still get my tape wet, but not as much as I would w/ a regular shower. My PS said eventually I'll have to change the tape because it will start to smell! You are not alone in this! It is okay to get it wet, but I understand what you are feeling! )

[lopa]

Doesn't this surgery make you crazy?? Just when you think you are comfortable with one thing, another question pops up! At least that is how it is for me. My ps wanted me to shower the day after surgery! I waited until two days after surgery, and it was just fine. I had internal stitches, with tape over them, and i had no problem whatsover from the water/shower. Try and use more tepid water, not really hot, and you should feel just fine. And, make sure you are good and dry before putting on your bra. A hair dryer, or fan, works well.....Good luck, and happy healing!

[kanchan]

Try showering with your back to the shower head. Each time you do this a little water will trickle to your boobs and it will build your confidence up to turn around and expose your new racklette to the water!!!!.

[lopa]

I showered the day after surgery which was performed in the surgicenter. I don't advise doing this without someone else in the house.

[kanchan]

Showers get more intense as nerves reconnect. Your breast will get more sensitive as the healing progresses.

[anjali]

i think its a matter of confidence. I was really afraid to shower and so I just had sponge baths for the first week. But then I hopped in the shower with tepid water and let it dribble from behind over the top of your shoulders. I didnt have any ooze at all the whole time, I just put on a light airy front-buttoning cotton top and wore that with no bra for about half an hour after the shower until the tape is dry. I just lay on my bed propped up with pillows and watched tv while it dried. Gradually you get more confident and although at first it might be scary to look at the wounds, you get used to it and the bruising etc improves every day!

[kanchan]

I was told to shower 48 hours after surger and take the dressings off. As others suggested I kept my back to the shower and the water trickled down. It was fine. The strips havent come off and the PS said just to gently pat dry. Today 8th day I shower fully to the front and it was fine, I think the fear was more psychological but has long as its not a hard spray should be ok. just do it all slowly. good luck m

[veggiegirl]

If you doctor said it's okay to shower, than I would trust that. I recommend that you shower with low water pressure.