Surgical dressing

surgical dressing

by new to pace.... - 2019-09-28 11:48:27

i just left my on.   my tape over the incision finally came over after being on for nearly 6 weeks.  You might try taking a shower and see if that loosens it . You can alwasy call your dr. with that concern.  They will call you back.  so you will not need to worry.   

Surgical dressing

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-28 11:49:42

Thanks.  I’m hoping the shower works.  I’m about to find out...🤞🏻🙂

Surgical dressing

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-28 13:26:39

No luck with the shower removing it.  It is literally glued on.  Hopefully as the days go it it loosens up.  

removing dressing

by diane ca - 2019-09-28 13:41:43

Is there a number to call on your dismissal summary?  Or,  try calling your local hospital and tell them you want to talk to someone on the cardiology team on call.  Better than stressing out about it...  Also,  many insurances have a help line with nurses monitoring the calls.....  I just got mine on the 17th.  It is a scarey thing but... getting better with time.  Still not sleeping much and that no lifting for 30 days sucks.  My best to you....

Removing dressing

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-28 14:12:01

Thanks, Diane for your awesome advice.   I never thought to call the hospital. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m going to give it until tomorrow and then I’ll call them and definitely call the doctor on Monday. Yesterday before I was discharged from the hospital the Nurse Practitioner tried to remove the dressing but said it was really glued on and said when I take a shower today it will probably fall off.  It didn’t but it did loosen a little bit.  

Glad to hear to hear you are getting better.  I know what you mean by lifting. It does suck because I always want to lift my two year old granddaughter for hugs! 🙂. Take care and thanks again!

Surgery dressing

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-28 15:36:56

Thanks, I’ll call.  I did cut the bandage as much I could but there is still a lot attached. 

By all means, call if you have any worries

by AgentX86 - 2019-09-28 21:51:19

But my instructions were to leave the dressing on until it fell off on its own or I came in for the wound check.  They took the remainder of it off there.  I was also told to keep it dry for 48 hours and that I could shower after that but keep the direct spray off it and pat it dry for at least two weeks.  No baths for a month.

Bandage removal

by sipock97 - 2019-09-29 00:39:47

I had to leave mine on for a week, and it was water proof. They wrote removal date on it with a Sharpie. 

Surgical dressing

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-29 17:59:23

Update-this morning I woke up to a slightly swollen arm and burning sensation at the incision site. I called the doctor and he told me to go to the ER.  A nurse at the ER was able to remove the dressing.  She commented on how badly it was stuck.  I was checked for infection, blood clots and an X-ray to make sure my leads were in place. Everything was great.  They told me to keep track of my temperature and if swelling gets worse.  Thank you alll for all your great advice.  This whole experience has been so scary to me since I’ve never had surgery for anything before so the advice you all gave is so appreciative.  Have a great day! 🙂

surgical dressing

by new to pace.... - 2019-09-29 21:45:07

Sorry you had to go through that experience.  Glad it is resovled now.

shower

by ROBO Pop - 2019-09-30 03:53:45

I cannot believe someone told you to take a shower. If you've ever suffered through an infection with one of these devices you would never make such a risky move. I lost 6 months of my life due to infection and literally had to go to doctors and clinics daily for treatment of the infection, not to mention the week hospitalized. I wore a life vest and a vaccum pump and had anti-biotic injections in my neck daily. I now sport a massive divot in my left shoulder where my device once lived. I'll never be on the cover of sports illustrated swimsuit edition either.

Shower

by Lyoung530 - 2019-09-30 12:23:07

RoboPop-I’m not sure if I explained myself. I was discharged from the hospital on Friday and the doctor said I could shower on Saturday. I also showered today  I’m now freaking out after reading what you went through!  How long after surgery were you told it was ok to shower?  At the ER yesterday they said everything looked good. I’ve been monitoring my temperature regularly. 

I hope you’re doing good now. Sports illustrated is overrated anyway. 😉

Showering

by AgentX86 - 2019-09-30 22:08:54

Don't worry.  You did what your EP told you to do and you'll be fine.  Infections are indeed deadly serious affairs but they aren't common.  Some doctors are more conservative than others and use different closure methods which do lead to different instructions.  FWIW, my instrutions were similar to yours, though I was told to leave the "tape" on until it fell off on its own.  The nurse cleaned the rest of it off at my 1-week "wound check". 

You're doing fine.  Don'worry but do watch for infection (trust but verify).

Showering

by Lyoung530 - 2019-10-02 15:07:56

Thanks, AgentX86 for all your most welcome advice.  I really appreciate any and all advice that comes my way. Have a great day! 😊