Showers or Baths After Tummy Tuck?

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??!!

Tags:

aftercare bathing showering

Comment on this

15 Doctor Answers | Asked by TT3912 in New Providence, PA

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (0)

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

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

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!!!

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

14 reviews

Tucson 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.