question

 I am 6 days out from lbl.  I am taking less pain medicine, but still feel the need to take it occasionally , more to just get going with less discomfort.  I am so not a pain medicine person, but I told myself that its not worth the discomfort,  I am finding where the drains are that it kind of pinches and  i get little sharp pains,  I think its healing.   I am calling doctor today because I think two of the drains are ready to come out.  I have not taken a shower yet I am nervous to do so.  Today i am going to take my first shower, I have steri strips on incision what advice can yu guys give me.  I thank you in advance I feel like such a pain in the neck with all my questions but I do not want to do anything wrong.  

I used a lanyard around my neck and clipped the drain bulbs to that. It helped with having enough hands to wash!!

Also - I'd recommend showering with someone else there or at least very near by. I've heard of people fainting I'm the shower and you wouldn't want to be home alone!

Morning Antonietta!
I didn't ever take a  true "shower" with the drains on. But in bits and pieces. Infact, I took my real shower just last week, 3 days after the dr. removing my last drain.

So if you are referring to a "true shower", get your dr.s approval.

When you do, as Erica stated, I also used a lanyard to get errr done!

Definately have someone there with you, it is very draining! And combersome and awkward with drains and tubes.
good luck,
prek3
carmen

I took my first shower at 4 days.  The nurse got after me because she had wanted me to take one at day 2. I was too nervous.  I took my husband in the bathroom with me for the first 4-5 times to help me. I held my 2 drains in one hand.  I found pump soap works really well. I help the soap on the hamper just outside of the shower. My husband poured the shampoo in my hand and washed my back.  Taking a shower did make me feel so much better!  I had to keep dry dressings on for the first week and a half so he would help me dress the areas I couldn't reach.  I would get dizzy standing for a long period for the first 10 days.  After that did it all on my own.  It's so much better once your drains are gone!

I took a shower day 2. I had two drains in and my husband tied a shoe lace around my waist and pinned the drains to the shoe lace. I agree...make sure someone is there when you do shower. My husband also put a chair in the shower because I couldn't stand up to do my showering. I HATED my drains and felt a million times better once they were out! Keep resting and taking care of yourself! Best of luck and happy healing!

 i called dr. office only one drain is ready to come out, so i am waiting a day or two to see if i can get two out at same time.  I am going to sponge bath, i do not smell, hubby has helped me wash my hair so i am fine.  i am going to wait until all drains are gone to shower.  I am  just going to take it easy .. thanks guys

My PS said I could take a shower as soon as I got home from the hospital (was in 2 nights), but I waited an extra day to make sure I felt comfortable. But I also don't have the steri-strips. I had gauze on for the first 3 days only.

Luckily we have a very good sized shower (not a tub combo) so my hubby stripped down and got in there with me!! I too hooked my drains to a lanyard, wore around my neck, to free up everybodys hands.

My hubby washed my back and legs for me for the first several days until I could reach my legs, and I would wash everywhere else. Oh - he also washed my hair since I had my boobs done and lifting my arms up over my head is difficult.

Now (2 weeks out) he still comes in the shower with me to help with my back and hair, but mostly he is just there as a saftey measure... And I have nooo problem letting him be in there with me as long as he wants.. LOL

Best of luck!!! Just take your time and make sure someone is either in there with you, or at least right outside the curtain and ready to jump in if needed!! Even just standing under the shower rinsing off (if washing is too difficult yet) will make you feel sooo much better!!!