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Can I Take a Shower After Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by Terre Haute6175 in Terre Haute, IN
Latest answer by Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Question viewed 1,013 times
Tags: female

I had the heavy eyelid surgery 3 days ago. Is it safe to take a shower?

20 answers to Can I Take a Shower After Surgery?

+1

Showering after eyelid surgery.

You should ask your surgeon when you can take a shower.  This is very surgeon specific.  I let my patients shower the next morning, with tepid water only and no rubbing of the lids, just let water run over the skin.  Some surgeons may not want the stitches getting wet, other surgeons, like myself, put all the sutures under the skin so thats not an issue.
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after lid surgery

This is surgeon dependent.  I let my patients shower and get water over the stitches the day after surgery.
Keshini Parbhu, MD

Orlando Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.orlandoeyeopener.com

+1

Taking a Shower after Surgery

I usually tell my patients that after 3 days you can take a shower or bath but no water on your face yet.
Robert N. Young, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Shower after surgery

I usually have my eyelid and facelift patients shower the very next day.I tell them be wise use a baby shampoo so if you get soap in your eyes it wont burn.Also be careful blow drying behind your ears because they may be numb.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering and surgery?

You definitely want to discuss this with your surgeon as we all have different opinions. I personally have no problem with patients showering. No bending over at the waist, no rubbing your eyes and you should be fine!
Jeffrey Kenkel, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after surgery

You need to ask your operating surgeon about this.  I have a three day rule for my facial patients but that is just because I don't think anyone should have to go three days without washing their hair!  (This also applies to camping trips; no more than three days.)  But seriously, I have my patients take a barely luke warm shower with their back to the shower.  It's okay for the face to get wet but not for the shower to hit the operated area directly. ... more
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after eyelid surgery.

At three days post upper eyelid surgery, I would recommend that it is OK to shower.  You would want to make sure that you blot your lids dry and don't rub them.
Kenneth L. Stein, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after eyelid surgery

We usually allow showering after the sutures are removed in three to five days. Its helpful to keep the suture line moist with antibiotic ointment.
Burr Von Maur, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after upper eyelid surgery

You should wait until the stitch on the upper eyelid is removed before taking a shower.  You can certainly take a bath as long as no water goes onto the incision/stitch.
V. William Papanastasiou, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long to wait to take a shower after blepharoplasty

Recommendations on how long to wait before getting a surgical incision wet in the shower can vary quite a bit among surgeons. I would stress just asking your surgeon how long you should wait. There may be some variability depending on what specific technique was used to close the incision. I typically tell patients that the incision line is water tight after 48 hours. After this point there is very little chance that showering would carry any bacteria into the incision and cause an... more
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

When can I Shower after Eyelid Surgery?

All Medicine can be divided into Fact, Fiction and Preference (or Fetish) and each surgeon has his/her own idea / preferences as regards postoperative care be it based on fact or sheer nonscientific preferences. For this reason, you should ask YOUR surgeon how he would prefer you to take care of these wounds. Scientifically speaking, the wounds are sealed with a clot by 24-36 hours. As a result there is no scientific reason why you could not get these wounds wet for a quick shower by then... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Shower after surgery

Every surgeon is a bit different in terms of post-op care instructions. I usually allow patients to shower the next day after surgery if they feel okay.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering is usually ok a few days after surgery

1. I usually ask patients to keep the surgical area dry for 3-5 days after eye lid surgery depending on what was done. 2. Always check with your surgeon before getting surgical sites wet since there is no hard rule or guideline that says when it is safe to shower.
Dev Wali, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can I Shower after Surgery?- Yes:Soap and Water Does Not Cause Infection

After surgery, most patients feel relieved, but still a bit stressed out.  Taking a nice warm shower is just the thing to feel better.  Soap and water do not cause infections, but if you have drains or tubes in place to let out fluid after surgery, then you may not be able to get into the  shower until those are removed.  It is best to check with your own surgeon, but all my patients are allowed to shower as soon as they get home after surgery.  
Claudio DeLorenzi, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Eye lid surgery

This is best answered by your surgeon, I routinely allow my patient to shower after 48 hours without rubbing the area concerned.
Sanjay Parashar, MD

Dubai Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after eyelid surgery

Unless your surgeon specifies a reason not to shower after surgery, it should be fine to shower daily starting the day after surgery.   I wish you a safe and healthy recovery
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after surgery

Every surgeon is different, so I suggest following your doctors recommendations.  I usually allow my patients to shower 24 hours after surgery.  I see all my patients the day after surgery.  As long as I give them the OK, they can shower after that.
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after eye lid surgery should be safe.

Showering after upper eye lid surgery should be totally safe after 2 days if you want to have the shower water gently run over the eye lids themselves. Next day even would probably be fine.........I personally advise all my patients that it is OK to do this the day after surgery if they wish to do so. Certainly one can shower anytime from the neck down if they are stable and not woozy.
Harlow Hollis, MD

Victoria Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering after eyelid surgery is fine after 48-72 hours

Hi Terra Haute, You should be fine to shower after 48-72 hours after eyelid surgery; however, you should defer to your surgeon to find out if he or she has any problems or concerns. Good luck!
P. Daniel Ward, MD

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Showering After Eyelid Surgery

I am assuming you are referring to upper Blepharoplasty surgery.  I will always defer instructions to your surgeon, but routinely patients are allowed to shower within 48 hours of the procedure.  If steri-strips were placed on the incisions, it is suggested you keep them dry.  Please follow-up with your surgeon for instructions.  Good Luck, Dr. Corrado
Anthony Corrado, DO

Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

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