Re: Showering/washing face after surgery

[Guest guest]

I gently washed my face (no scrubbing) the day after. I took first

shower when I got home from hospital (after 2 nights in hospital) -

could not bend over because of nose bleeds but got everywhere else I

could reach. It felt soooo good and did wonders for spirits. I am

about 2.5 weeks post-op now and shower everyday. Face is still tender

to touch, but wash face is ok. Shave was well.

Don't know about the topical meds.

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -katja

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja,

I think I waited 2 days until I showered. I was careful not to put my

face near the water though. I used Oil of Olay cloths that cleansed

my face as I felt my mouth and face too sensitive for scrubbing. That

worked really well. I also cleansed with a cotton ball and some

cleansing solution. Be gentle. It was about 2 weeks I think until I

really washed my face. I broke out a little but my skin has returned

to its normal condition now.

Be careful in the shower. One morning I got up and had a hot shower

and when I got out I felt so weak - I actually fainted on the floor.

The scariest experience as I was home alone. After that I would get

up drink a smoothie and then shower.

Cheers. Jen

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -katja

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja

My face didn't hurt to touch after the surgery, I was just nervous

to, especially the chin which I couldn't feel (well, still can't, but

I've gotten used to it by now, at 4.5 weeks). I had a shower the day

after surgery, at the hospital, and I washed my face then. And yes I

was gentle with it, but it was no problem. As long as your meds

don't require that they're rubbed in at all vigorously I think you'll

probably be fine.

-

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -katja

[Guest guest]

Katja,

I am 3 months post, and my face is still a wreck! I am not happy.

for some reason, I seem to be in the minority with the numbess on

the upper lip and around the nose. Washing my face was a nightmare

for so long, I scared people. Putting on make up was even worse. I

stillhave " make up free " days, yesterday was one, just to give my

sking a break. I forced the washing of my face, even though it felt

so strange. I used real warm washclothes, but washing my hair was

another story. I could not lift my head all the way back, so the

sides of my hair and face were constanly oily. gross, I know,

believe me, I lived it. I force the make up on now, my face still

tingles, and the make up feels strange, but I need to look decent.

Oh, I also dramatically changed my hair color!!! I am a natural

blonde..the kind people die for...and I went dark red to offset my

face a little. I am 35 years old, and this was the first time I

ever did something like that. Now, when someone says I look

different, I think, duh? my hair!!!! lol. Good luck with your

recovery.

B.

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding

cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to

wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to

my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -

katja

[Guest guest]

I had no problem with any of this. I was able to wash my face right

away, and to bathe. One word of caution, though -- when you shower or

bathe, have someone IN THE BATHROOM with you, not outside a closed or

locked door, just in case you get woozy. You might want to use a

shower chair if you have or can borrow or rent one. you most

definitely do not want to swoon and fall and hit your head or even

more specifically, your jaw.

Matter of fact, warm, steamy baths or showers can be really helpful

if you have congestion.

It is far more common to be numb than to have pain, and some guys do

have a problem with shaving (an electric razor is recommended).

A word of caution about your complexion, though: it is not at all

unusual to have a period of really oily skin on the face, plus an

acne like eruption on the face, after surgery. Some folks say it's an

aftermath of the steroids; others say it comes from the change in

diet; others say it's the stress plus all of the above. You might

want to talk with your surgeon and/or your dermatologist about this.

(And it won't necessarily happen to you; it didn't happen to me.)

Just don't let it come as a surprise if it does happen, and don't

think it's because you haven't been diligent in using your meds.

Cammie

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -katja

[Guest guest]

Good ideas, Fran!

Cammie

> > >

> > > I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding

> cleaning

> > > up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to

> wash

> > > your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

> > could

> > > enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply

to

> my

> > > face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them

> (and

> > > subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> > > delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -

> katja

[Guest guest]

Katja,

I had my surgery about three weeks ago and took a bath the day I

came home from the hospital. I would highly recommend it...it made

me feel so much better. I took a bath instead of a shower b/c I had

chin bandages I couldn't get wet, so I would recommend having a

large glass to put water in so you can rinse off the shampoo. After

I got my bandages off a week after surgery, I started taking

showers. Washing my face wasn't a big deal either. I started washing

my face a few days after, but it felt weird b/c I couldn't feel my

face. Nothing was painful though. But i would recommend that if you

take a bath, don't try to put your head back that far b/c your jaw

and neck will be very sensitive.

Good Luck,

>

> I am just curious what everyone's experience was regarding

cleaning

> up after surgery. How long afterwards were you finally able to

wash

> your face- did it really hurt to touch it? How long before you

could

> enjoy a shower? I have topical prescription meds that I apply to

my

> face that I am wondering how long I will have to forego them (and

> subsequently what kind of affect this surgery will have on my

> delicately balanced complexion.) Thanks for everyone's input! -

katja