How long before i can take a bath after my bowel resection

[tishbite]

how long before i can take a bath after my bowel resection

It was done laparoscopically through my belly button and it has been 2 weeks and 3 days. i want to take a bath so bad :/ How long (if you have had one) did you wait before taking a bath?

 

[Sailorluna]

I was told to wait until after the 2 week follow-up apt

 

[ekay03]

I think you are safe. As long as all the openings are completely closed. But I would call the doc just to be safe. I prefer a shower myself. I never asked. I know that they encouraged me to shower. They said it was good for it to have the soapy water clean out the area.

 

[CyCrohn'sGuy]

15 days after my resection and I stunk to high heaven. Gross!!!

 

[tishbite]

This sucks. I guess I have got to wait another 2 weeks. My incisions looks pretty well healed except the one in my bellybutton still has dried blood scabs on it. Those are so hard to scrub off when you have to be so gentle. I just took a 30 minute long shower to make up for the fact that I cannot soak yet

 

[Manzyb]

Tish, do you have horrible diahrrea?? I'm 5 days out and I go to the bathroom like 15-20 times since Saturday when my bowels started moving again. My butt hurts sooo bad and all I want to do is soak it in a tub!! Still in the hospital, so not possibility... but oh the thought of a nice bath!

 

[Emily]

I remember being told I had to wait a month for a full bath :/ Just a little longer!

Manzy could you do a sitz bath? Only your butt will soak, and the reason you can't have a normal bath is cause the incisions are submerged. And at least that way you can soothe your butt!

 

[tishbite]

Manzyb, Yes I'm still having horrible diarrhea :/ It's starting to get a little better and sometimes my stool is even formed. When I was in the hospital my stools were so foamy/watery/acidic seeming. I asked for a hemorrhoid cream and a moisturizing cream to put around my bum to help relieve some of the burning and pain. It sure helped. I would ask your nurse (if you are still in the hospital to get you some) or if you are home go to the drug store and buy some.
Also I found one of those aquagaurds that I used to put over my picc site while I showered in the hospital and I stuck it over my stomach and was able to bathe without soaking the incision site I feel so clever haha.

 

[Manzyb]

That's great!!! I hope you enjoyed your bath


The diarrhea is horrible!! It's been 15-20+ times a day and it burns like hell. My poor butt is so messed up and sore and nasty. I had my mother in law steal me some of Sadie's Desitin today and have been using it!! Much better, but still freaking hurts.

ugh. Still in the hospital right now. Hoping to go home tomorrow. We'll see.

 

[handle]

That burning diarrhea (bile) is awful! If you can get a squeeze bottle/wash bottle with water and spray clean your butt after going, it really helps. The longer the bile stays on the skin the more it burns. I installed a bidet adapter at home and no more troubles - such a relief. (Toilet paper doesn't get it off properly and hurts.)
Good luck to all who are battling away.

 

[shamrock15]

For me, I was allowed to shower about a week after surgery (pretty much all of them). That's what I wanted - didn't want to stay on my back any longer.

Manzy - I have used something called Proctofoam when my backside gets that way - really works well, and it doesn't burn when you apply it either.

 

[Angrybird]

For me I had a shower whilst in hospital on day 3, they had used a clear waterproof dressings over my incesions which seemed to do the trick. I was able to have a bath about 2 and a bit weeks after the op. I must admit when I first starting pooping again I was astonished at the colour and the awful smell, I have never before or since produced anything like it. Also for sore butt use whatever you use for a baby's nappy rash, I use Sudocrem and it works wonders.

 

[tracey brecknell]

on the 9th day of my bowel resection growth was removed get results monday ,got bad dihorea was not told id get this by my surgeon been out of hospital 2 days ,1 was not told i could take a bath i have had 3 cant sleep well at night had a bad time in hospital just glad to be home