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Noticed today that I have a patch of skin--2 inches by 3 inches--to the left of the incision where I just don't feel anything.

Also, apparently the correct way to shower to keep incisions dry involves swathes of saran wrap and then waterproof adhesive tape around the top. I finally figured it out--the fourth time I showered.

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On the one hand, though you should obviously bring that up to the doctor and etc because there could be other issues, purely as a matter of "how much should you worry" I'd say not very. Surgery often disrupts nerves and as long as it's not a huge area (2x3 isn't huge given the extent of the surgery) and as long as it doesn't get bigger (you might want to mark its borders with permanent marker, if possible), you're probably ok. And there's even a chance you'll eventually regain feeling, though it could take a while. Due to a late-caught problem involving handcuffs and enthusiasm, my ex girl lost feeling in her hand in the meaty area beneath the thumb but about a year later sensation has fully returned as the body reconnects nerves and etc.

Seriously, basketball though? Jeez.

Anyhow, more humanly, hope you finally got some pain-killers and that other than that and the shower-issues your recovery is going more or less smoothly.

Eek. Points toward padded handcuffs, I guess.

Wouldn't have made a difference anyway--they didn't have the prescription ready until late the next day.

Yes! Painkillers were passed along by a friend, the prescription came through a day later, and I'm about to put in for another refill just to make sure I don't run short again.

Skylar broke his wrist snowboarding back in December and his cast was made of Gortex. How cool is that?! Not only could he shower (much to his dismay), but he could play in the snow and snowboard and stuff too.

Seems there would be some new tech bandage thing for keeping incisions dry... maybe in another couple years.

There's this cool bio-glue they use sometimes, but it hasn't reached tech-saturation in hospitals yet. Someday, someday...

That is super-cool.

They did give me some clear adhesive bandages that were supposed to do that--they didn't work super-well (didn't quite cover the entire area) and the nurse didn't give me enough of them to last until the underlying bandages are removed.

after I had surgery on my hand a couple years ago, it took months before I had complete feeling in my palm & fingers. I agree about marking it (or marking it and then taking a picture of the area with a ruler in the picture) and mentioning it when you go in for your post-op. it's probably nothing, but the surgeon will be a lot more reassuring.

Yes, the surgeon's assistant said it was nothing to worry about. Note, this does not mean I did not worry!

The patch of not feeling? That's normal. Surgery will sever all sorts of nerves - and they will all grow back. With my hernia repair, most of my upper, inner right thigh was numb, except for some areas. It took a year to get complete sensation back. A map of your nerves will tell you where you should expect to lose sensation. If in doubt, try a lighter (KIDDING).

Makes sense. I just wish they'd mentioned that in the little leaflet they handed me about side-effects from surgery.

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