Holding in a Sneeze

[AverageBloke]

Hi All,

I was just implanted four days ago. Not sure if I'm just being paranoid or not...

I recently held my nose because I didn't want to sneeze as it causes discomfort around the reservoir but it ended up hurting even more. Can holding in a sneeze cause the reservoir to move or cause damage to the implant in any way?

I read online that holding in a sneeze increases the pressure by x5-x20.

[vajim1]

I found that you should not try to hold it in but to relax and don't let it build and when you sneeze say something like horse shit!

[AverageBloke]

I found that you should not try to hold it in but to relax and don't let it build and when you sneeze say something like horse shit!

Do u think I caused damage by holding it in?

[Masonjames]

I think it's possible to damage something so soon after the surgery. I know I had open heart surgery and they gave me a pillow to hold against my chest when I coughed. Nobody warned me about the sneeze. I learned fast not to hold it in. Just sneeze

[Lost Sheep]

I agreee with the advice not to hold in a sneeze (or a cough).

One way to prevent a building sneeze from comting to fruition is to press straight in on the tip of your nose. I don't know why it works, but I have done this when i have felt a sneeze coming on and about 80% of the time the sneeze abates.

Also, try not to sneeze in your hand. For reasons of hygiene. The conventional advice now is to sneeze in your elbow.

To which I add a verse to a song I wrote in late 2020 about the Covid pandemic (music is classic talking blues)

Handshakes are now taboo
the elbow bump is the thing to do
I don't know, but between me and you
I sneeze in my ELBOW! ... Ewww!

I would recommend the same thing about passing gas so soon after abdominal surgery, too.

[AverageBloke]

I agreee with the advice not to hold in a sneeze (or a cough).

Ok will do!

Do you think I caused any damage to the implant or reservoir?

[Lost Sheep]

I agreee with the advice not to hold in a sneeze (or a cough).

Ok will do!

Do you think I caused any damage to the implant or reservoir?

Not likely to the implant or the reservoir. The danger is to your incision or the stitches. If the stitches in the tunica tear out or are weakened a revision surgery may be necessary to repair the damage. (Probably this is the worst case scenario)

[AverageBloke]

Thank you Lost Sheep