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No deodorant (or lotions/sprays) for THREE days before surgery??!!??

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It really is crazy how different all OS pre op requirements are different. I did 5 days of Hibiclens wash and 5 days twice a day of Mupriocin ointment in my nose to prevent staph infection or MRSA. It was pretty intense but I was glad to do it as it had been shown to be effective. It is temporary and well worth the inconvience:)


LTHR Direct Anterior May 19, 2014
 
@nogods, I had read that study as well. I do think the pre-surgery wash is a good practice. I have also read some studies at specific hospitals where after implementing the pre-surgical wash process, the HAI rates did go down. Now, whether that was specifically from the wash, or from additional things that were implemented, who knows. I do question the use of the wash for multiple days, as I cannot believe that anything is going to *keep* the skin clean unless the person is living in a sterile bubble. But I will certainly use it for the three days. :)
 
psychteach said:
It really is crazy how different all OS pre op requirements are different. I did 5 days of Hibiclens wash and 5 days twice a day of Mupriocin ointment in my nose to prevent staph infection or MRSA. It was pretty intense but I was glad to do it as it had been shown to be effective. It is temporary and well worth the inconvience:)
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Wow. Now that one is a new one on me!! Never ever heard of that!
I agree - all the hospitals seem to have their own protocols.
 
Vetgirl said:
You are asked to use the chlorhexidine washes usually 3 days prior to surgery as it is an antibacterial wash.

The reason they get you to wash on the days prior to the surgery is because chlorhex builds up a film on the skin and keeps working afterwards. By using it a few days prior you are building up that layer on the skin.
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Vetgirl, yes, it is certainly an antibacterial wash. However, I have not read anything about any "build up" of a film the skin that "keeps working". Skin is constantly flaking off, every minute. We lose thousands of skin cells every hour. I really don't think there is any barrier or film that is "building up". It's just an attempt to keep the skin as free from possible bacteria as possible prior to surgery - just my opinion of course.

I will certainly be using the wash for the three days. I don't have any issues with that.
 
I personally felt it was important to let my body rest for those last few days before surgery, so a sweaty gym workout was not an issue. My hospital was an osteo-only clinic and VERY cautious about hygiene procedures. The paperwork that came along with the chlorhex wash referred to the 3-day washing procedure as a "decolonization", which to me illustrated the point well. We have millions of bacteria on our skin, and each subsequent wash will kill off more colonies. As a patient, I really appreciated their caution, and was more than happy to follow the slight inconvenience of washing/clean nightclothes/no lotions etc for a few days prior. As for the deodorant/lotions, they too can be a source of bacteria as well as a source of alcohol. And especially after reading what Vetgirl went through with her infection and revision, I wanted to be EXTREMELY careful about any possible infection pathway.
 
My body is very accustomed to normal daily workouts... for over 20 years now that is part of my day. It's going to be tough being a couch potato after surgery. I really don't want to risk changing my routine and adding something like digestion issues or whatever, to the mix. I want to be as physically prepared and in shape as I can, so I plan to be working out hard as I can right up until the last day. And I will be clean and prepared. :ok:
 
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Chessie said:
My body is very accustomed to normal daily workouts... for over 20 years now that is part of my day. It's going to be tough being a couch potato after surgery. I really don't want to risk changing my routine and adding something like digestion issues or whatever, to the mix. I want to be as physically prepared and in shape as I can, so I plan to be working out hard as I can right up until the last day. And I will be clean and prepared. :ok:
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I agree with you that keeping with your exercise routine is going to be a benefit. Keeping muscles toned, weight under control, and joints flexible can only help your recovery. And the relaxation that comes from exercise endorphins will also lower pre-op stress levels which will aid post op recovery.

And a healthy strong body is way more able to survive an infection and then one that already has a foot in the grave to begin with.

Yes, you'll suffer a bit from exercise withdrawal after the operation, but during the in-hospital rehab sessions you'll also observe others struggling to complete the basic PT exercise that you find rather easy to do. The difference usually isn't their doctor vs your doctor, but rather your pre-op condition vs their pre-op condition.
 
I had pre-op testing and a hip class today. I was given an antibacterial soap and was told to use it three days prior to my surgery on the area where my incision will be (front of upper thigh). On the morning of my surgery I was told to first, shampoo my hair and rinse it well, then to wash my whole body with the bacterial soap and then rinse. After the shower, I was told not to use any lotions, perfumes, deodorant, et al.

I was told the three days of using the soap on the incision area (and day of surgery) was to help prevent the growth of bacteria on the skin. Using it on a couple of successive days would help build a barrier to bacteria.
Makes sense to me! I can live without the deodorant for a small amount of time.
 
Being also in Virginia......l tested positive for being MRSA colonized.
So I had to do all kinds of special stuff, and it worked!!! Yay! No MRSA after surgery.

I had hibiclens for 7 days prior every day; and in final 24 hours I had to wash hair and shower with hibiclens every 6 hours (4 times on the last day!!)
I also had 10 days of Mupiricin in the nose twice daily.
I also had two full days of the skin wipes waist to toes; twice daily.
No shaving for a week.
No deodorant on morning of surgery. You can put it on when you get in your room.
 
@MajorHeidi - where in VA are you? I had my surgery at VA Hospital Center in VA :) - am a local here. No one discussed MRSA with me - but all is well :)


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Hi @frieds Tee,
Had my surgery in Roanoke at Carilion.
I drew the bad card in the deck which is why I had all those special procedures for MRSA, but fortunately
they paid off. whew!
 
MRSA is nasty stuff to be sure. If that were a factor for me, I'd certainly expect some more aggressive protocols!
 
Hey @Chessie just to let you know that the head of infection control and theatre gave me the information I was quoting. Perhaps @PA Gal said it better but there must be some reason we are all told to do it 3 days prior to surgery.

Just my thoughts
 
@Vetgirl, well that was my point. We aren't all told to go without deodorant for 3 days prior...in fact very few are instructed to do that. :chinstroke: I have no issues with the special wash itself.

Also I have been told to ABSOLUTELY keep up with my workout routine - having the body as strong and active as possible before surgery is said to be a major asset to a faster and successful recovery. So that is my plan. No rest for this one - until after surgery! LOL.

By the way - I did get sponges with the wash...but there is no "scrub" side. Only regular sponges. So everyone is different!
 
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I did the mrsa treatment for 5 days as a precaution . They do not even bother to test for it.. I remember when @MajorHeidi tested positive.. My OS does a 5 days of nasal ointment as a routine. They are all so different. About exercise , I was in pretty bad shape before and was limited in what I could do. I was a competitive collegiate cheerleader.. Major gymnastic moves.. I have always been active, running tennis biking . Both my son and daughter are athletes..athletics is part of our lives..if you feel you are able to keep up the activity before .. Do it!!! It will only help later..


LTHR Direct Anterior May 19, 2014
 
I was not tested for MRSA in 2010 for my hip replacement or in 2011 for my knee replacements. But when hubby went in for his knee replacements in 2012, he was tested for it. And it is now SOP for our local hospitals.
 
Perhaps I was tested without realizing. I was required to have blood cross type test three days prior. But left before blood analyzed. They said it was to determine antibodies in my blood in case I needed a transfusion. Either way all worked out well - yay!


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I had my pre-op lab work done one week ago and I've not heard a peep. I hope that doesn't mean bad news!
 
I was not tested for mrsa but was blood typed which was a good thing as it was needed. I think no news is good news:)


LTHR Direct Anterior May 19, 2014
 
@Chessie sorry I didn't get back to you!! I had Dr Anthony Carter of Hampton Roads Ortho and Sports Medicine, at Mary Immaculate Hospital, both in Newport News. I do have "issues" but they are my own fault for doi g too much too soon! Also I have heard that the anterior approach makes one more prone to tendonitis-- that's me! But I am happy happy with my hip, and want the other one done asap so I don't have to go down the pain path again!


My phone sent this using BoneSmart Forum, good phone!
 
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