How soon can you have a bath?

(I’ve edited my post after checking with my hysterectomy diary here on the group which showed I had a bath sooner than I thought!) 

Hi KT89, it will largely depend on your healing. I got my results two weeks post op and asked then about a bath and was told to wait another couple of weeks for a soak but that I could have a quick dip - with the water level below my incisions - as soon as I wanted - so I did the next day! But waited another couple of weeks before having a proper bath/soak. I’d recommend checking with your CNS or the ward if you’re unsure.

Hi KT89

I was told showers until 6 weeks post op. It is partly due to the wounds and partly due to any water getting inside you and affecting any healing there. That is what my consultant told me. 

I waited until 6 weeks and that first bath was worth waiting for! 

You're nearly there

Jane

Jane, I’ve edited my post above as I checked back with my hysterectomy diary here on the group and found i actually had a shallow bath on day 15 - having seen my consultant on day 14 and him saying it was okay as long as it was shallow and quick!

Thank you MarmiteFan59  and jane2511 

I rang the nurse this afternoon and had a chat. She said to wait until 6 weeks so I will. Thank you for your replies 

I think it’s interesting how different hospitals/consultants/CNS sometimes give different advice about some things. I’ve noticed that some give what I call “one size fits all” advice, ie covering all bases just in case. This is why I think it’s very important for us each to talk to our own professionals who have cared for us and know us and what we’re like in terms of mobility, health, understanding etc. I’ve noticed the bath advice seems to vary from 4-6 weeks. Mine said that for me 4 weeks was fine, but then also made the allowance for a “sit in very shallow water” wash at 2 weeks (and no leaning back), given how well I was healing and that I don’t like showers. Whatever any of us does, it’s important that we ask our own professionals and heed their advice.

Hello MarmiteFan59 

Yes I agree. Bath advice and Clexane injection advice appears to vary. Maybe it depends what trust you are being treated under.

I prefer baths so looking forward to one. But showers have grown on me - never thought I'd be saying that. Showers are greener, especially if you are in for less than five minutes. So I have decided on showers every day and bath once a week.

I am definitely feeling brighter today - I'm 5 weeks post op on Monday. I also have Long Covid (under the Long Covid clinic). I feel very tired but I trying to pace myself and not get too disheartened. 

Feel extremely thankful that my cancer was found - relatively - early. But I have LVSI and am preparing for radiotherapy.

Hi KT89, glad to hear that you’re feeling brighter today and hope you will continue to keep feeling a little bit better every day. My radio started about 11 weeks after my hysterectomy. I’m also very glad mine was found and caught early - but especially so because being diagnosed actually saved my life. Hysterectomy histology revealed not just cancerous cells on top of my cervix but also rare pre-cancerous “STICS” in both my Fallopian tubes. If these had gone undetected they would have travelled up to my ovaries and caused high grade/stage ovarian cancer that would have been hard to treat. Rare is not a word we want to hear when it’s related to cancer. My GP had never even heard of STICS and I think some of the staff treating me had never come across them before. But hey they’re out and gone, and hopefully the radio will have done its stuff covering any stray cells that might have remained. All the best for your continued recovery and please do feel free to ask anything at all about treatment.

Goodness I'm glad for you too that they are gone!

I am waiting to hear when radiotherapy is due to start. It depends on a POLE testing result. But the nurse told me to prepare for radiotherapy as it is more likely than not I'll be having it.