Some advice from the Bupa site

Here's some generic (and fairly obvious) info from the Bupa website about caring for stitches/wounds:


Here's what they say about:
STITCHES
"During this time you may see small pieces of the stitch material poking out of the healing scar. Don't be tempted to pull on these. If there are loose ends which are catching on clothing, trim the stitch carefully with a clean pair of scissors. Otherwise wait until they are removed or fall out on their own. If the stitches cause you pain or discomfort, contact your doctor or hospital for advice." 
SHUDDER. I hope they mean NON-disolvable stitches... I can't cope with bits sticking out everywhere and I'm not going ANYWHERE near them with scissors.


EATING HEALTHILY
"Your body needs energy to heal quickly so it's important that you eat well. Your body will use a lot of energy, vitamins and protein when healing so make sure that you eat a balanced diet. You should also make sure that you drink plenty of water. If you're dehydrated, your wound may take longer to heal."
This is common sense...but I need to follow it. All I've felt like doing is moping around and eating junk food/comfort food/whatever's easy. This has no doubt been effecting my recovering in a negative way, not to mention my mood. From now on I'm eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein... and drinking plenty of water. And green tea. 


BATHING
"Don't use any soap, shower gel, body lotion, talcum powder or other bathing products directly over your healing wound."
I haven't been! That would sting so much. But I'm worried water is not enough to keep it clean! 


INFECTION
"Your doctors and nurses will do everything that they can to prevent your wound from becoming infected, but it's important that you know how to tell if you're developing an infection after you go home. If your wound becomes infected, it may:

• become more painful
• look red, inflamed or swollen
• leak or weep liquid, pus or blood
• smell unpleasant"

Well according to this I'm guessing (hoping) it's NOT infected, though it is painful, and there's a faint smell... Perhaps that's why I've been told to have 2 baths a day. But for how LONG I wonder!?