Bandages

Hope this message finds everyone well this week. My wishes go out to all in the hospital recuperating and those dealing with any complications. Healing prayers from my HEART to yours.

But now I have a simple question. I had my pacemaker implant surgery on Feb 4th. How long does it take for the bandage covering the incision to come off. It has just started slowly to lift up and since I was told to keep it dry, I can't wait to jump in that shower. I have my first checkup appointment on Wednesday as long as there is no snow storm in NY, and guess the doc will remove what is left by then.

Have a great day everyone. Thanks. Marcia

7 Comments

shower ?

by pacy0320 - 2010-02-22 11:02:49

I had a pacemaker put in on jan 18 and I was allowed to shower on the 22nd. My incision sutures were interior and the outside incision was secured with surgical glue. Which is still peeling off to this day. I was told I could get a shower with water to my back only and let water flow over it from behind, no pressure to wound itself. The doctor has nothing to remove, sutures inside dissolve and the glue very very slowly peels off. I do have to keep a 4x4 guaze pad folded in half tucked in my bra strap as the strap irritates it. Not sure how they did you incision...how are you doing otherwise? Patty

Loved That First PM Visit ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-22 12:02:05

The first weekly visit after my PM implant, the person doing my PM check, peeled it off. She also gave me some "stuff" to help take it off in the shower. She said the "glue" would not come off with just regular soap and water. She was right, it did take the "stuff" to remove.

The first shower was nice, but until that was permitted, I allowed myself the "luxury" of going to a beautician and having my hair washed twice during that week. How "sweet" that was. I do not even do that without a PM.

Time goes by fast, if you are not having complications. Just take one day at a time ~ ~

Carolyn G. in TEXAS HURRY SPRING FLOWERS!

Thanks Patty

by MAXI1439 - 2010-02-22 12:02:12

My recuperation was slowed up a bit with a bout of bronchitis and a really bad head cold. So now waiting for this to clear up to see if my current head foggyness and some lightheadiness is just from the cold and cough, which I am almost sure it is. It seems I have these strips over my sutures and the doctor had originally said they would come off by themselves.

I also still have numbness top of my arm and armpit which I am hoping will subside in time. But otherwise even with the cold and cough I do feel better than I did before my pacemaker.

I am so glad this site is here, for saying hello, venting from all of us when necessary, and even to share some necessary tears and fears.

Talk to you all later.
Marcia

Thought mine were pemanent!

by qwerty - 2010-02-22 12:02:33

I got my PM on 1/25. I finally took the steri strips off on 2/14 and they were probably not as loose as they should have been, but the incision was healed and I had to get them off they were really itching and starting to irrate the skin around them. But, I was able to shower even with the bandage. They said don't let the water hit it directly, but the bandage I had after surgery was even water proof! I asked them twice to make sure. Then, she said I could continue to shower the first day after I removed the bandage, which was less than a week later. They advised not to have the shower hit it directly and don't soak it in the tub, but a shower with water running over it from the back was OK. I don 't think I had any glue, but if I did, it came off with the steri strips.
Hope you get to feeling better. It is so great to feel better and know that getting older doesn't have to mean slowing down!

Have a great Monday

bandage

by dottodot - 2010-02-22 12:02:41

usually they want you to keep it dry. Often use saran wray taped on 4 sides and try not to let water hit directly then remove saran wrap.

Bandage

by TracieOT - 2010-02-23 01:02:33

I had my pm done on Feb.4, 2010. When I left the hospital on Feb. 7, 2010 the doctor took my bandage off. I was told I could shower but had to cover the incision up. I taped a sandwhich bag over it. I was told last week that I could now let water run over it but not directly on it. Good luck!

A week was enough for me

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-23 12:02:09

I took my outer bandage off in a week. Next day I used some warm moist sterile compresses to soften up the rest of the strips and took them off. The incision looked good so I just used a large band aid to protect it from the cars seat belt, etc. At that point I felt it was better to get some air to it. I also used a bit of antibiotic ointment to keep it softened up.

I only had one serious side effect from my approach. I caught heck from the nurses on the forum. LOL

frank

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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