hi everyone .this question is properly gonna sound silly …but i had my op 4 weeks ago …and im scared of getting in the bath …i do get in the bath but im scaredto clean round the scars on breast and arm …and do i have to use a lady shaver or can i use razor .i feel lke im going mad i check them all the time .and when can i lie on my side as scared to lie on my side also thanks xxx
Hi quinny,
I know the feeling! I am 5 weeks post op. I use a shower rather than bath and just let the water run over the scars, and dry myself very carefully!! I haven’t even thought about shaving but then hair is only just starting to appear post chemo (which I had first).
I have just started lying on the side of the mastectomy because it is starting to feel ok, but I don’t stay there for long.
Can you talk to your BCN about this?
I am no expert, but I think it is reasonable to just do what feels right at the time. Confidence will come back gradually, I think.
Vxx
thank you v i use a flannel and clean round it .i suppose as the weeks go on i will get braver i lie on the other side to were i had op but its only 4 like 5 mins and i will do tomoz thanks v xx
Take care. Let me know how you get on?
Vxx
i will do thank u hunny xx
This thread made me smile as it took me back to post surgery time last year and I was having all the same worries. I was told not to use a razor while there was still any numbness under my arm but to be honest I eventually disregarded this as I still have some numbness 8 months later, although I am really careful when shaving under that arm and at the start I never went right up to my SNB scar although now I do.
Lying on my side - I used to try it and see if it hurt and it did so I wouldnt do it, eventually I found that I was waking up on my side, although this did take quite a long time. I do find that out of habit now I tend to go to sleep on the other side.
I’m not really a fan of baths so dont know the answer, I know for the first 6 weeks or so the surgeon specifically said no baths at my checkup appointments.
Anne
thank you anne lol xx
I started having a bath one week post mastectomy, not lying in it but splashing water onto wound and patting it dry. I was reccomended to use Badedas bubble bath dont know why ( mum bought me some). I am now 8 weeks post op and have woken up on that side but would not consciously go on to it. I have sparse hair growth under my axilla but no feeling so i carefully used a disposable razor as it was clean.
thank you megsmom i use a flannel and clean round mine x
Ive never shaved after my op, as I was told to avoid any risk of cutting the skin. So I’ve gone on to using hair-removal cream. (But I did have full node clearance, not just SNB)