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Showers or Baths After Tummy Tuck?

asked 4 months ago by TT3912 in New Providence, PA
Latest answer by Todd C. Case, MD
Question viewed 325 times
Tags: aftercare, bathing, showering

I am scheduled for a tummy tuck. I take baths every night and was wondering if I need to refrain from that and switch to showering??!!

15 answers to Showers or Baths After Tummy Tuck?

Shower, Bath VS Sponge Bath after Tummy Tuck Surgery

Medicine can be divided into 3 F's: Fact (always right, beyond dispute), False (wrong) and Fetish (done out of habit, superstition or false conviction). Unfortunately, most surgeons practice a fair amount of fetish based on their training and experience. The real challenge for us older Plastic surgeons is to constantly shed old habits based on false data or habit / superstition based practices in favor of science based practice. A surgical wound seals in 48 hours. A surgical... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Shower post abdominoplasty

If you are going to have drains, you will need to wait to take a bath. You will not want to submerge (bath tub, pool or jacuzzi) until your incisions and drain tube site are well healed to decrease the risk of infection or wound healing problems. Usually this is a few weeks. You should discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon as to their postoperative protocol.

Todd C. Case, MD
Tucson Plastic Surgeon

Showers: OK. Bathtub: NO! But ask your surgeon if you have a drain.

Realize that in a bathtub, you immerse not only your incision, but also your genital and rectal area--both "chock-full" with bacteria that you and your surgeon would rather NOT have come into contact with your healing incision (and drain site, if present). Showering rinses any contaminants and bacteria away, and soap and water are not harmful to healing in moderation--but NO "Calgon take me away!" bathing marathons. Ask your surgeon if you have a drain in place,... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Showers or Baths After Tummy Tuck?Answer:

Shower is better for awhile for 2 reasons...First, you should not submerge your incision right after surgery and Second, getting in and out of a tub after tummy tuck can hurt and possibly pop a stitch in your tummy!!!

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Ask your surgeon

In my practice I do not let my patients shower till the drains are out which usually takes a week. Each surgeon performs the operations differently, has different dressings, etc which affect their post-operative managment. In general our approaches are designed to achieve good reproducible results time and time again so I would ask your surgeon about their approach.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Bathing After a Tummy Tuck

After having an abdominoplasty, most surgeons allow their patients to shower after a day or two. However, you will need to refrain from any kind of submersion underwater for several weeks. This includes baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, etc. Check with your plastic surgeon to see how long.

Adam Hamawy, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and Showering?

Thank you for the question. You will find that every plastic surgeon has their own “protocol”; it would be in your best interests to follow your chosen plastic surgeons' since he/she is ultimately responsible for your care. Some general words of advice may be helpful as you embark on your tummy tuck “journey”: 1. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons (for yourself) and that you have realistic... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Bathtubs and Tummy tucks

I would wait at least 2 weeks after the last drain is pulled from your tummy tuck incision. Bathwater contains many undersirable bacteria that can potentially crawl up any opening to cause an infection. In addition, you do not want to soak the incisional area which could macerate the fresh incision. I am sure you will have an excellent recovery and result! All the best, Dr. Lille

Sean T. Lille, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Shower or bath - talk to your PS

If you ask me, I am a big fan of showers. I let my patients shower when they feel comfortable even with drains in place. I don't like baths while sutures and drains are still present. My feeling is the shower will wash away crust and bits of blood that may be a source of infection. Every doctor has their own post op instructions so speak to your doctor.

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

I would suggest showers instead of baths after a tummy tuck

I'm in agreement with the other doctors, this is one question that is best left answered by the operating surgeon. In my practice I prefer showering to immersion in a tub. Keep in mind, most plastic surgeons would prefer the wound to be carefully cleaned with soap and water rather than not cleaned since this reduces bacteria in the skin and the risk of infection in the wound.

William Franckle, MD
Voorhees Plastic Surgeon

Shower after tummy tuck

As we do not use drains for tummy tuck, patients can get into the shower as soon as they feel secure out of the binder and can get back into things. Soap and water over incisions is fine. We do not like baths as we feel a shower will expose the incision to clean water and rinsing only and might keep infection risk lower. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Showering after a tummy tuck

Dear TT3912, In general you can resume showering much earlier than taking a bath. Before soaking in a bath tub, swimming pool, or Jacuzzi we would like the wound to be water tight and most surgeon will not allow you to do this for several weeks. When it comes to taking a shower most surgeons are little more liberal and will allow you to shower within two to three days. Remember you will have drains after the surgery and your Plastic Surgeon is the best person to guide... more

Michael Zarrabi, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Bath After Tummy Tuck

I agree with Drs. Shafer and Lund that this is a question which should be addressed to your plastic surgeon. I also recommend showers rather than baths for several days after a tummy tuck and generally allow my patients to begin showering on the first post-operative day.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Baths after Tummy Tuck

You should address this question to your surgeon. In general in my practice, for any procedure which involves an incision - tummy tuck, breast implants, etc - I recommend shower only for the first two to three weeks. Once the incision in healed properly you can resume taking baths. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Bathing After A Tummy Tuck

Dear TT3912, Every plastic surgeon has their routine on how to manage their patients during the post-operative period. Most develop these routines through years of training, reading about new recovery treatments, and going to scientific meetings. The best person to address your concerns would be a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in performing tummy tucks. Most plastic surgeons will limit the soaking of a fresh incision during the healing phase but... more