Shower

Hi,

I'm a new member. The messages I read here are reassuring for a person like me who will be getting a defibrillator in January. Thanks!

I have two questions for you : I'm the 'shower type' and was wondering how long will I have to wait (after surgery) until being able to shower again. Also, I hate washing my hair in the sink (do it in the shower) so how long will I have to wait until being able to wash my hair all by myself in the shower?

Thanks for the answers.

Cend - 39 years old French Canadian woman (hey, no one can be perfect! lol)

14 Comments

Merci

by cendmat - 2011-12-28 02:12:03

I'll take a shower the night before and one the morning of the intervention, just to make sure!!

Merci Vanessa (thank you Vanessa) for your quick response.

Merci - 2

by cendmat - 2011-12-28 02:12:16

Hi Parrothead57,

Oh, that's great. I think that Mr. Glad will be my best friend for a while! Love the idea of being able to take a shower if the wound site is protected by a plastic piece. And I guess that if I only use my right arm, I'll be able to wash my hair too a couple of days after the intervention?

Merci!

loves showers too!!

by Vmurph - 2011-12-28 02:12:21

I would highly recommend taking a shower before you go in for your surgery. I was in the hospital days before mine and wanted one more than anything and wasn't allowed.

I wad told I had to keep the wound dry for 10days post op. So my mom helped me wash my hair and body during that time. Now able to shower by myself I can only use one arm to shower. Cannot lift left arm for another few weeks.

You'll get creative and find ways to make it work!! Dry shampoos are fabulous!!! Good luck!!!!

Vanessa

My experience

by Parrothead57 - 2011-12-28 02:12:23

Hello Cend and welcome to the club.
If 10 people answer your question, you'll get 10 slightly different answers. You should receive specific instructions at time of discharge. Until then, here is what I was told.
Keep the wound site dry until the first follow-up appointment. (My first appt was 1 week post op.) My wound was closed using steri-strips (looks like a butterfly bandaide). The EPs nurse told me to tape plastic over the wound site and I could shower as soon as I wanted.
As far as reaching up to wash your hair....I was told as long as I didn't raise my ELBOW over my head I was ok. Since you can wash your hair without raising your elbow, I was told it was ok to wash my hair immediately.
Best wishes on getting your new friend.

I understand your concern

by IAN MC - 2011-12-28 03:12:20

Hello cendmat

Your question brought back memories of my 3 night hospital stay to have a PM fitted. The worst 5 things about the whole procedure were :-
1) Not being able to shower
2) Not being able to shower
3) Not being able to shower
4) Not being able to shower
5) The hospital food

The most memorable events after I returned home were :-
1) My first shower

oh ... I had stopped feeling dizzy and fainting (I knew there was something else ! )

Best wishes

Ian

Merci - 3

by cendmat - 2011-12-28 04:12:38

Love your list Ian! lol

It seemed like an eternity

by KIRWEN1004 - 2011-12-28 06:12:15

I had to wait 10 days to shower after my Pacemaker. I had my hubby wash my hair for me once over the bathtub.

Even after that time passed I couldn't raise my left arm up for a while.

I did washes with a facecloth to freshen up. I know they sell stuff you can put in your hair like a dry shampoo. I haven't tried it but if I didn't have my hubby to help I would have.

Good Luck

~Kirs

:-)

by pacergirl - 2011-12-28 06:12:46

Where there is a will there is a way.

I rest better after a nice shower. So..... to get into the shower on the day of the new pacer implant, I just tape up the shoulder to keep it dry, keep my hubby close. By the way, he has never complained. lol

Also, I let my hubby wash my hair when I was not able to raise my left arm. When he wasn't home my daughter helped me. You sound like a nice person, I'm sure that those who care about you will be glad to help.

Good luck,
PG

My Experience

by MORTSMOM - 2011-12-28 08:12:16

I was in the hospital the night before the placement of my device. I was up at 0400hrs., given some sort of liquid soap, told to soap my whole body and especially my left shoulder, neck and hair. Then I was to wait 20 minutes before washing the stuff off. Then they wheeled me off to the OR.

I was told not to get the incision wet for 7 days. Having gone through shoulder surgery in the past, I knew to tape down a freezer bag with paper tape. I made a huge patch, to be sure no water passed the barrier. I have long hair, down to my hips, I washed and rinsed it with my right hand, half witted, but it worked. I would use a very mild shampoo, just in case your skin might be very sensative during your recovery.

I would suggest you go to a Beauty Salon or Beauty School and have them wash your hair, I did that many times with my shoulder injuries. It is inexpesive, pleasant and you do not have to bend over, either forward or backward. Finishing with a Facial is very nice. I just have them towel dry my hair and stick some pins in it. (My hair is long because I donate it to Locks Of Love, every so often). Being ill, the length just got out of hand.

That's the way to do it.

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-29 02:12:26

I took my first shower the next day after the implant, and did the same thing MORTSMOM described. The concern is just one of keeping the incision dry so taping some plastic wrap over the hospitals bandage worked great. As far as hair washing I can easily reach the top of my head without raising my elbow above shoulder level.

I also soaked in the hot tub the first night as well using the same technique plus keeping the area out of the water.

My approach to any of this stuff is to first make sure my brain is booted up and thinking about the real reason for the restrictions. If that isn't possible then I guess it's a good idea to follow the standard boiler plate sheet they print out at the hospital.

So far in my life I have had back surgery, pacer implant, and my pacer replaced, and never had a infection or problem.

frank

One more suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-29 02:12:36

For a few nights after the surgery the area can be a bit sore to pressure. Us old timers have found that putting a pillow in front of us is a great help in sleeping. Just sleep on the side opposite the pacer and use the pillow to support the upper arm. Keeps you from squeezing the tender area.

frank

12 as in 2012

by cendmat - 2011-12-29 07:12:21

Finally got my date : I will get my defibrillator on January 12th. Can't wait!

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your support.

Merci, merci, merci...

by cendmat - 2011-12-29 09:12:34

You are all such sweet...........hearts!

Thank you so much for the suggestions and sharing your stories. I'll keep you posted with my surgery and the recovery.

I'm glad that I've found this site.

Happy new year to you all. I wish you, us, good health.

Cend xx

thanks from me too

by Peg541 - 2011-12-29 10:12:07

This is so good for me to read. I am being evaluated for a pacemaker next week. Thanks for all of the responses above they help a lot.
Peg

You know you're wired when...

Airport security gives you free massages.

Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.