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Post by minnie on Aug 3, 2007 16:58:31 GMT -5
Hey all, sorry I haven't been around this week. I have been off due to the lap on Monday and just chilling at home as I recover. Off the pain meds now and feeling a lot more sprightly but I wanted to ask a question about the wound healing.
I have two wounds, one in tummy button and one on the lower right side, both with dissolvable stitches and covered with plastic bandage type plasters that are waterproof. The tummy button one seems to be fine but lower one feels wierd and like it is slightly burning/tingling - is this normal?
The NHS weren't very informative about what to do with these plasters as they wanted to close the unit for the day ( I was the last patient left) and they just gave me a leaflet which said that these plasters will just peel off "when they are ready" !!! Well, they are showing no sign of peeling off and I am not sure what is normal - any help/advice greatly appreciated xx - my follow up isn't til Septembber so can't get the hospital to check it any time soon.
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Post by mwilmot on Aug 3, 2007 17:34:05 GMT -5
Hi Minnie - my plasters took about 10-14 days to peel off. My doctor said I could take them off after 2 weeks or let them fall off. I just let mine fall off.
Good luck!
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Post by kb on Aug 3, 2007 18:17:16 GMT -5
The plasters are just protective, if your worried you can remove them yourself and have a look, see if its ok. You can always cover it back up with another dressing if need be, and just pat it dry with a clean towel after your shower (dont blow dry, ever, it promotes infection)
If its too red or weeping yellow or foul smelling ooze, contact your doctor.
I think from memory mine came off pretty quick, or maybe i just took it off, lol.
My belly button one had early signs of infection so it was good i looked at it, coz then i could put on some antiseptic cream.
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Post by minnie on Aug 4, 2007 17:15:57 GMT -5
Thanks girls - very helpful. Well, I peeled off the plasters and its looking ok, though both have stringy stitches sticking out - I thought they were meant to be dissolvable? Ahhh - help, someone explain what these are doing and if they'll go?
Have covered them again but slightly freaked but the stitches!
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Post by cherry on Aug 4, 2007 17:22:57 GMT -5
Oh don't worry, mine looked like black thread but they will dissolve. I found that some dissolved, and some that weren't falling out I gave a little tug on and they slipped out, saved me a trip to the nurse but of course if it had felt sore or stuck I would have had them removed properly. The stitches I think need 2 weeks before they'll come out. Don't let it worry you xx
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Post by minnie on Aug 4, 2007 18:08:44 GMT -5
Thanks Cherry - I think the surgeons have made my tummy button smaller too! I don't know if I like that or not but not alot of choice I suppose. Going back to work on Monday and a bit anxious about knocking into stuff or leaning into my desk and making it sore!
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Post by minnie on Aug 13, 2007 10:54:52 GMT -5
Hey all, My stitches in my tummy fell out today and it looks ok. I am worried about the lower scar though. It has become slightly inflamed and very red around it. The centre has become quite yellow and looks like it is becoming infected! Yuk! The stitches are very much still there. My bf reckons I should go to the hospital after work and get the emergancy people to look at it as he reckons the internal scar may get ifected too. I am more inclined to wait to see my Gp tomorrow when I can get an emergancy apt. It does hurt a little bit! What do I do? Advice please xx
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Post by cherry on Aug 13, 2007 13:10:42 GMT -5
It's up to you, but tomorrow at the latest. You can't afford a wound infection, I have seen the aftermath of one of those. Disgusting!
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Post by minnie on Aug 14, 2007 3:32:36 GMT -5
Got myself to the A & E after work yesterday and was seen very quickly which is quite a miracle really! Was given antibiotic cream and told to cover it. It was really gross when the doc was checking it! I won't go into details but I'm sure you can imagine! Urghh
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