I’m having a wide local excision and sentinel node removal tomorrow. Just had the blue dye injection and while chatting to a woman in the waiting room, she mentioned she’d been told not to use moisturiser or hair conditioner when showering the morning of surgery. The nurse at my pre-op assessment didn’t mention this.
I can understand not using moisturiser after the special body wash stuff. But is it really correct we shouldn’t use hair conditioner? Surely that’s no worse (in terms of infection control) than using shampoo?
I’ve googled and info seems inconclusive/contradictory.
Of course, I won’t use conditioner if it’s important in terms of the surgery/infection control. But I have very thick, curly, dry hair so it will be a birds nest without conditioner and I’d rather avoid that if it’s not essential!
Never heard of it, sounds a bit bogus to me. But if worried about it - despite not really seeing the harm - you could condition your hair while leaning over the bath/shower tray, or just wash & condition hair first, then wash your body.
Maybe they mean don’t use it if showering (as opposed to bathing) as it will run over your body and has a similar effect to lotions etc. in that it’s not just shampoo?
Maybe wash your head over a bath/sink or standing up and NOT showering the same time would be acceptable to them?
I was given a surgical body/hair wash I had to use for a few days before and after surgery (also when getting my central port put in).
Maybe a leave-in conditioner is acceptable?
I’d check with your BC nurse to be sure.
Hi @beachfox - I must admit that’s a new one on me ! I had a mastectomy a year ago and had long hair , I showered as normal the night before my surgery (was first on the morning list ) It’s too late to find out now but I’d avoid it to err on the side of caution or as others have suggested lean over the bath it sink (in case it’s an issue with it getting on your skin )
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow x
@beachfox hi, not sure if this post is too late for you but, I had lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy yesterday, showered, shampooed and conditioned hair (short hair) in shower day before, all was fine with surgery. Go with your own feeling, if your worried do what feels right. I hadn’t heard about any issue so just prepared as usual.
@sassy3 thank you! In the end I did use conditioner but rinsed it off while leaning forward so it didn’t run over my body, as others have suggested. (And nobody at the hospital asked about it )
How are you feeling after your surgery? I had the exact same surgery as you yesterday. It went well and although a bit sore and tired today, I actually feel better than I’d expected! Trying to balance keeping mobile with getting lots of rest so my body can focus on healing.
Hi, glad you’re feeling not too bad today, I’m doing ok too, I went for a walk yesterday morning and this morning, just for a bit of air and steady exercise. Feet up this afternoon! Lymphnode incision is the most sore and bruised of the two but hey we’re both healing now! I wish you well on your journey, we’re made of strong stuff us girls
We definitely are! I’m also having a quiet afternoon on the sofa after going out this morning for a walk. My lovely sister and sister in law both brought round some delicious snacks so I’m spoilt for choice foodwise
Arty1 
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