Injections and Dressings

Hi Janet, I had no dressings at all. When I came round, my wounds were quite small, neat, dry and not weeping at all. There was no need for any dressings. Re injections, they will expect you to learn yourself or to have a significant other do it for you. I knew I couldn’t do it myself, nor would I want my husband doing it, so I told my CNS this before my op and she told me to talk to my GP who advised that they could be done at the surgery or by a community nurse but that I’d need to keep saying it as the ward staff would try and talk me into doing it myself. Then when I had my consultant appointment (where he gave me my op date) I raised this with him and he said that at his previous hospital (in London) they didn’t routinely prescribe injections for everyone, and that if patients were quite active he didn’t think they were necessary. He said that if I was up and about and active after my op I should be fine. Imagine my surprise when the day after my op a nurse came round to talk to me about showing me how to do the injections! I replied that I was told by my consultant that I wouldn’t need them. Next thing I know a doctor has come to talk to me to explain that my consultant had changed his mind because that was how this hospital did things - so I realised he’d been pressurised to toe the line. I then said “am I allowed to refuse?” - the doctor said yes. I said “do I have fo sign a disclaimer?” and he said no. He went away, came back again and told me that my consultant had said that if I didn’t want the injections, I must wear the stockings and I must take exercise and also follow the instructions for sporadically twiddling my feet, bending my legs etc, when sat down. So that’s what I did. I refused the injections, walked when I got home, took short gentle walks twice a day every day, gradually increasing every day, till by a week after I was walking 10 mins morning 20 mins evening, and by two weeks post op was walking 40-60 mins a day, it was the right decision for me, I’d had enough. I’m not saying anyone else should refuse - but just wanting to let others know that we can say no if we want to. Note: I did have one injection at the hospital the evening of my op. 

Hi Janet12,

My first surgery was done as daycase and I was left to my own devices really for reasons known to myself.

I rang my GP surgery and made an apt for wound checks but my second op wounds healed better with no dressings on but my surgeries were both done laparoscopic. The injections are not pleasant but are easy enough. Have an open mind and listen to the nurses before making your mind up, they will teach you how to do it. I'm not trying to influence you but it cuts out COVID risks from people entering your home and the hassle of waiting for them each day. Hope all goes well with your surgery.

Amanda x 

Does the injection go into muscle or a vein?  Though I couldn't do either.  Presumably it's into your thigh? 

Hi Janet, my one I had done at the hospital was into my tummy - and made a purply bruise but it didn’t hurt. I think it’s just below the skin into the fat layer, so no major stuff. I think people typically do tummy or thigh.

Hi Janet,

Got to be careful what I say on here but I am speaking from my personal experience and guidance from discharge nurses.

The injection goes into subcutaneous fat, I was taught to give in the stomach after first op but second op the nurses advised to give into thigh to keep away from surgery site. It's not nice but it's do-able with nursing advice post op.  You could ask them to show you, then decide? Just a suggestion,

Amanda x 

Hi Janet12. I also didn't have any wound dressings, they were just small, neat puckered skin with dissolvable stitches. Now I can hardly see 2 of them, the others are also tidy (Not that I expose my tummy much lately!)

Although I was active, walking between 3 & 5 miles daily I had the injections for 4 weeks. I also didn't think I'd be able to do it. I'd been a blood donor for years prior to my thyroid op and never once looked at the needle! The needle and syringe is pre-loaded. You only need to remove the cap, pinch a bit of tummy away from your belly button and wound sites and basically "stab" yourself. It stings for a few minutes after but then quickly fades. I also used the top of my thighs to inject. You're provided with a "sharps" container to dispose of the needle. TBH it was quite easy and I think it's another string to my bow I was able to do it!

I do believe some ladies have had a district nurse round to administer but they're few and far between nowadays.

Hugs, Barb xx

Hi Janet

Like you I know that i weuld struggle to do it for  myself too. Luckily my hubby took control and did them for me.

He was nervous bless him but once he had done it the first time he was fine. We alternated each side of my tum each day but I can honestly say I had very little bruising. We found pinching the fatty layer of skin but not too hard worked better for me it seemed to go in easier with less resistances hence less bruising. I didnt rub it after either as I was told by a nurse in hospital it can make it bruise. When I was in hospital the nurses did it very fast and each of those bruised. Hubby did mind slower and I rarely bruised. I think its good to try different techniques and find what works better for you. 

We have had a big discussion on here before about where to inject in the tum or thigh as I think different consultants and hospitals have different views. 

All the very best for your operation, I hope that you can get some support with the infections. 

Hugs Robin xx