Third day in

It is now 48 hours since my implantation.   I am not sure how much this has improved my symptoms yet (Sick Sinus Syndrome) because my symtoms have been episodic.    I feel surprisingly good otherwise.  Little sorness at the sight, little interuption with sleep.   I am planning to take the initial dressing off my wound this morning and replace it.   Has showering been a problem for many of you?   I was told to keep moisture on the site to a minimum and to just dab it off.  I wondered if taping some plastic wrap over it might work.   I also, just this morning have started having tinnitus.   I don't know if there is any connection to the procedure.  I did just start on Metoprolol twice daily.  Any thoughts?

4 Comments

Too early

by DampDog - 2017-01-14 12:35:32

I can only echo what has been said by AngrySparrow. You should really only be changing the dressing and nothing more at this point. Remove the dressing, check for any signs of infection, redness, soreness or weeping and then cover it back up. Don't wipe it, clean it, or prod it!! Keep yours and other people fingers away from the area until it's fully healed.

I picked up as post-op infection and spent almost two weeks in hospital being drip fed antibiotics. While I was lucky that mine wasn't a particularly severe infection,it was still a rough ride for a few days.

Obviously it's your choice, but if I was in your position I'd be keeping it dry for quite a few more days yet.

Shower

by Bionic Beat - 2017-01-14 14:06:21

Delay that shower, as stated.  Did they give you swabs to clean off the incision?  Once over the incision, toss swab.  Once above incision, toss swab. Once below incision, toss swab.  Cover with new dressing. That's what I did for a week after the initial dressing came off.

While waiting for the incision to heal, just have a good wash and shampoo in a sink or go to the hairdresser if you have no one to help at home.

Not worth an infection, IMO.

 

best wishes

 

Bionic Beat

Surgical Scrub

by Artist - 2017-01-14 23:33:57

Doctors use various types of bandages.  In my case, they actually wrote a date on the top, waterproof covering saying when I could remove it.  I believe it was 10 days. The inner portion was steri-strips and I was told not to pull them off, but to let them fall off naturally and to definately not pull on any sutures. Regardless of the bandage type you have, I would  purchase some of that presurgical scrub soap to use when washing that area.  I was given a bottle of surgical scrub when I was discharged from the hospital.  If you need to purchase a bottle, that will be money well spent.  Preventing any infection is a top priority.  Avoid the temptation to touch or fiddle with the implant site.  I used the deep utility sink in my laundry room to wash my hair so that I didn't raise my arm above shoulder level during the first 30 days. 

Didn't want to take any chances

by MathTeacher - 2017-01-15 22:13:43

Hi,

     I didn't want to take any chances, so I waited a while before showering.  I can't remember exactly how long, but it may have been a week.  I was home anyhow and really didn't have any visitors, so it didn't matter.  I had no idea that I had no stitches, no staples, and no glue, so I was shocked when they told me I had been held together by steri-strips the entire time.  I just assumed I had internal stitches.  So glad I kept the site dry!

You know you're wired when...

Lifetime warranty no longer gives peace of mind.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.