Skin care for anterior approach
(Surgical Incision on Abdomen)

1. The surgical incision(s) on  your stomach (abdomen) and hip need to be washed daily with soap and water.  This may require the help of another person.  Recommended guidelines are as follows:
• While lying on your back, open or remove the front of your jacket. Pull up your T-shirt.
• Have someone gently wash your incision with mild soap and water.
• Rinse the incision and gently pat dry.  A small towel placed at either side helps to keep the bedding dry.
• Do not rub the incision.  Do not apply lotion or powder to the incision.
• This may be a good time to air the incision.  See #2
2. Air the incision(s) for approximately 1 hour three times a day.  Bacteria will grow any place where it is warm, dark, and moist.  Airing the incision decreases the bacterial count.  Lie in bed on your back.  Open the front of the jacket and pull the T-shirt up to expose the incision(s).
3. You may shower three days after surgery.  Do not soak in a bathtub for 3-4 weeks, or until all the "scabs" have fallen off.  You must shower with the brace on.  This is very important.  You would not think of removing a cast from your broken leg to shower!  Recommended guidelines are as follows:
• Lying on your back in bed, open the front of your jacket and remove your shirt.  This requires assistance.  Close the front of the jacket
• Shower with the jacket on.  Towel dry.
• After shower, return to bed.  While lying on your back, open or remove the front of the jacket.  Have someone wash your incision following step #1 above.  This may be a good time to air your incision.  See #2.
• The inside of the jacket may be dried with a hair dryer if desired.  To dry the inside of the back of the jacket, re-apply the front, roll onto your side, and open the back of the jacket (do not remove the back of the jacket).
• Put on a clean T-shirt and close the jacket.