Waterproof bandages for showering after surgery

I had surgery two days ago. I’ve got this incision somewhere between 2 and 4 inches—not that I can tell for sure since I don't exactly pull off my own bandages—and the wound itself is about two inches deep. The whole setup with the gauze and the breathable tape covers an area about 8 inches wide.

Man, I already miss being able to shower normally. Right now, I'm just doing a partial wipe-down with a wet washcloth. From what I gather, I'll be stuck with these stitches for at least two weeks, and the whole thing probably won't fully heal for a month or so. My surgeon was pretty blunt about not getting the wound wet. But I did hear from a dermatologist that there are these waterproof patches you can slap over everything so you can actually take a quick shower. Has anyone here actually dealt with that? Where do you even find them, and are they going to break the bank? Like, do they actually stay put, or is there a chance water is still going to seep in?

You can pick them up at any CVS or Walgreens. Just make sure you smooth them out over the curves of your body; if they’re sealed tight against the skin, water isn't getting in there. My wife actually used those waterproof patches after she had a mole removed—she couldn't get the area wet for a few days, so those patches were a lifesaver.

melloworca6 said:You can just pick them up at any local drugstore. If you really press them down over the edges—and I mean really seal them tight against the skin—there’s no way water is getting through. My sister actually used those waterproof patches after she had a mole removed... she wasn't allowed to get the wound wet for a few days, so they were a total lifesaver for her.

Do you happen to know which ones they are... maybe the brand or the manufacturer?

I can’t quite recall the exact brands off the top of my head, but they come from all sorts of different manufacturers. You should be able to find them at any local CVS or Walgreens, though you might have to hunt around for different sizes.

Once you peel it off the paper, it turns transparent and you just slap it right over the existing stitch. If you actually apply the bandage correctly, it seals itself to your skin perfectly. It isn't a 100% waterproof guarantee, but if it sticks properly, water stays out.