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Dressing removal

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Hi I am new here I had my lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed  a few days ago my breast care nurse phoned me and during the conversation told me that the surgeon wants me to remove  my dressing within 48 hours now I am not one to question a professional but in this time I am doing it I don't want to remove my dressings they are fine clean and being protected from rubbing against my clothing,  I am not supposed to get the area wet anyway but he wants the air about it the air is not getting about it if I have my top on . I just feel more protective if I keep the dressings on for a few more days I know I am going against his wishes but I am scared any advice on this matter would be grateful  thank you all x

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    Hi when I had the same op as you my consultant said to keep dressing on for 3 weeks until I saw him again. I did change them after 2nd week as they were peeling and catching on clothes. 

    Xxx

  • Hello and thanks for your post,

    Surgeons do differ in their advice, based on each individual patient, and what they actually had done. He/she might have presumed that the original dressing may have slight soiling from wound ooze on it. This could keep the wound damp if it was significant. Leaving the original wound dressing on a couple of days more probably won't adversely affect the wound. However, if you want a covering longer than that, then you would have to renew the dressing with a new clean one to reduce the chance of infection. But ideally it is better to expose the wound, for it to dry up and form a scab to heal.

    I hope that this makes sense,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

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    Hi , how's your wound looking ?

    I was told to leave my dressing on for1 week and remove.  My dressing was waterproof so I could have shower but not soak proof.

    My dissolvable stitches didn't dissolve and ended up like little clear rainbows. Which I got nurses to removed on day 19.

    A variety of dressings are used by different hospitals /surgeons. 

    Hope your wound healing well.

    Efffie x

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