One week post op, still 6 days out from my follow up. Does it look okay?
Noticed today before my shower that it looks open between the stitches a bit.
All my paperwork and doctor said was take it easy for a few days, swap the bandage to something lighter after 3 days, don't soak, to keep taking pain meds as needed (ibuprofen and Tylenol maybe 3x a day), elevate and ice. But basically after those first few days do whatever is comfortable. I know she mentioned time without a bandage but I don't remember when she told me to start that and it's not on my paperwork.
The only thing that hurts is my incision site. Still can't pull or twist which I'm not surprised by. I can write a bit and hold lightweight things. Using my phone isn't uncomfortable most of the time. I wouldn't say it's horrible recovery wise.
I am a little confused though. My doctor told me it would either be dissolvable stitches, glue, or steri strips and all 3 would disappear on their own. Then she more or less made it sound like, to my girlfriend who was there to bring me home after (we live together), that they did steri strips.
However, it's clearly stitches. They feel like they are tight and they don't seem to be dissolving. Being only a week post op, I showered on day 3 post op and every other day since. I don't soak it but I let it get wet and super gently clean it with gentle soap by patting, gentle rinse and pat dry. I keep it dry otherwise. Do these look dissolvable or should I expect a surprise stitch removal next Tuesday? 😅