Post ops... about IVs

Did you have an IV in for your whole hospital stay? When were you allowed to shower?

My mum went through it and she had the IV the whole time she was there. I hate those things. It looks like we are having our's done on the same day. Good luck. See you on the other side. Toni

They did not let me shower but did do the wash tub baths. I felt pretty fresh after that on Sat and Sun but it was great to take a shower on Monday. They just wrapped my IV line up in Plastic Wrap so that it would not get wet. (They disconnected it on Monday but left it in in case I had problems with the oral pain med they were giving me.) Friendly reminders: Use the pain med to stay ahead of the pain. Use the swabs to clean the roof of your mouth and brush your teeth a couple of times to wet your mouth daily until you can drink water. Congrats on your surgery! See you on the other side! -Gerriann post op 4 days down 12 pounds

Thanks for the tips! I am about to go read your profile now! I'm watching you!!! Glad you're feeling pretty good!

my husband just had his surgery friday.he was able to get a shower on saturday,sunday and monday they wrapped his iv.the iv came out on sunday morning he went home on monday morninghope this helps you. good luck

Monica I had my IV the whole time I was there....as a matter of fact my hands like like pin cushions because they had then in both hands, (one came out) then when I had to have a 2nd surgery...I woke up in ICU with a "cadillac" IV in my neck! It did not hurt, but only when they went to remove it-because it was sutured in! Hettie 5/10/2004 RNY Lap 208/190

Monica, I just had my surgery on may 17th i had an iv the whole hospital stay. You will need it for your iv pain meds and to make sure you don't get dehydrated. You can take a shower with iv the nurse will wrap it in a plastic bag. Good luck with your surgery.I feel great-sometimes i forget i had surgery until i see the 5 incisions on my belly.

Monica - I had an IV for for about two and 1/2 days (including surgery day). Mostly for the morphine pump - a very nice device! After that they took it out but left in the line in-case I needed it in an emergency (that part came out late the next day). As with others, they wraped it up, and I was able to shower the day after surgery, and each day after - no problems. It felt great. But man was I tired afterwards - esp. after that first one.