Counting the days until I kick this inconvenient bandage to the curb!

[Katie H]

Thought my appointment to have the sutures removed was Wednesday, 'cept it's Thursday. Boo, hiss! One more day.

Oh, well. However, the recovery from the surgery has been splendid. Can't say the same thing for my reaction to the pain medication that was prescribed...oxy-acetaminophen. Fortunately, my pain level never got more than 4 on a 1 to 10 scale. I only took 4 tablets, the last one Thursday night before bed.

What happened on Friday was that I consistently had trouble breathing, began to itch all over like crazy and became unbearably constipated, which is never ME. I was out of commission, and in bed, until this morning. Glad I quit taking the stuff when I did. I have a history of negative reactions to pain meds, and this was no exception. Will pass this information on to the doctor when I see him on, hmmm, Thursday.

I can wiggle my finger inside the bandage, and the area where I guess the stitches are, is itching like a mad bandit. I'm thinking that because I can "sort of" flex my finger there is little to no swelling and is also a good sign that the healing process is progressing nicely. At least, that's my take on things.

Here's an image of what the repair probably looks like:

 

[blissful]

That is a little scary to have a bad reaction to pain medication-while you need it the most.
I'm glad you hear you are recovering. I also take it that the itching is a sign of healing-because all the nerves are being activated in the healing process. I hope it subsides enough for you to sleep at night.

 

[Katie H]

That is a little scary to have a bad reaction to pain medication-while you need it the most.
I'm glad you hear you are recovering. I also take it that the itching is a sign of healing-because all the nerves are being activated in the healing process. I hope it subsides enough for you to sleep at night.

The itching from the incisions isn't really a problem. Just enough to notice.

Now...the itching related to my reaction to the pain medication was something else. Almost relentless AND all over my whole body. Gone now, thank goodness!!

 

[dragnlaw]

Poor you Katie, I hear you on those meds as a dear friend could not take many pain meds. It's very frustrating!

OTC's would help enough that she was ok but but if they prescribed something for more pain and/or when in an OR, any anesthetic got her convulse vomiting non-stop. She knew exactly what kinds she could have and there weren't many! Twice the poor girl had operations were they said they would not use certain ones and they did!
Me on the other hand can suck up pain killers like a sponge. Takes a lot to knock off the pain. But anesthetics, I just need to look at them and I'm out like a light.

 

[dragnlaw]

Been think about tomorrow for you all day....

Have all the dragonettes sending positive thoughts your way too!

 

[Katie H]

Been think about tomorrow for you all day....

Have all the dragonettes sending positive thoughts your way too!

Thanks. The poor bandage looks like it's been through a shredder, and I noticed late this afternoon that I was "shedding" cotton wrap stuff through my travels in the house. Guess I couldn't hide from anyone today. It won't take much effort to remove it.

 

[caseydog]

Thanks. The poor bandage looks like it's been through a shredder, and I noticed late this afternoon that I was "shedding" cotton wrap stuff through my travels in the house. Guess I couldn't hide from anyone today. It won't take much effort to remove it.

Hospital bandages don't last long. I have always redressed mine every few days after a surgery. It's not easy to do it on one hand using only the other hand, but if you have someone who can help, it's not difficult.

At this point, you may want to go without a bandage while you sleep, so fresh air can get to the wound.

One week is pretty normal for suture removal. I usually do it myself. My RN sister taught me how. It doesn't bother me, but it's not for everyone.

CD

 

[Katie H]

Hospital bandages don't last long. I have always redressed mine every few days after a surgery. It's not easy to do it on one hand using only the other hand, but if you have someone who can help, it's not difficult.

At this point, you may want to go without a bandage while you sleep, so fresh air can get to the wound.

One week is pretty normal for suture removal. I usually do it myself. My RN sister taught me how. It doesn't bother me, but it's not for everyone.

CD

I understand, CD. It hasn't been until this afternoon that the bandage has given up. I also know that a week is pretty standard for suture removal. I came from a medical family - my father was a doctor, and my mother was a nurse.

Glenn was a medic when he was in the army, so I have plenty of help if necessary. I've also removed some of my own sutures in the past, so that doesn't really bother me.

As an off thought, I worked at the same hospital my father did, and I had the opportunity to watch him suture several wounds. His hands moved with graceful fluidity and each suture was perfect and perfectly spaced. He never left anyone with anything but a hairline scar, if that.

 

[Shining Wizard]

I’m so very glad to hear that your procedure went well overall.
I had my hand operated on for Depuytrens some years ago and it went well, but as expected my hand has not been the same. I need my other hand done too, but the outcome is really not worth it.
I hope you are back to your best soon and my thoughts are with you!