stitches and having a bath or shower

Do you have any replacement dressings?

If so, keep the dressing on and have a shower. When you are finished, take the dressing off and make sure that you pat the wound really well dry.

I don't see it as a problem, just try not to get the wound too wet and avoid it with soap etc. Don't spray the actual wound with the shower head etc

When I had my op in December I was in the shower within 24 hours. I'm not sure if the fact I had disposable stitches made any difference or not but I was fine. (my row of stitches were located on my stomach)

Have you tried using dry shampoo? i had to use it when i had a mole removed from the back of my neck as I couldnt wash my hair. is there any way you can sit in the bath and her your H to wash your hair with your head tilted back so no water gets on your legs (if that makes sense)

Could you sit next to the bath (on a small stool or even just a pile of books!) with your head tipped back over the bath, like at the hairdressers, and get H to wash your hair for you?

When I had my foot op and also when I had my knee done 10 years ago, I sat on the floor with my head tipped back and my husband, or my mum when it was my knee, washed my hair for me.

I had a limbo protector when I was in a cast - recommended by the hospital

I can't remember how long it took to get hold of it though

Thanks for your replies everyone. I didn't have any spare dressings and the one I had on wasn't even water resistant. Also the wound is round the back of my thigh so very difficult to keep dry. Anyway, I was determined to have a shower so H ended up cutting the bottom out of a carrier bag (it wa a Fenwicks one so well classy ?) and I put it on my thigh and then we used surgical tape to tape round the top. It didn't stop 100% of the water getting through but I've now removed the dressing to let the air get to the wound which seems to have started to heal up a bit. H resisted the temptation to get the camera and I made him shave my left leg (well the bottom half of it anyway).

I was told to wrap my leg in clingfilm following my knee operation

When I had my op I was given waterproof dressings, which I was told were fine for the shower. I had a shower in hospital the day after my op. I had the stiches that dissolve, if that makes any difference.