Can you shower after a Tummy Tuck?

Many plastic surgeons use drains in their tummy tuck patients, particularly if liposuction is part of the procedure (lots of tumescent fluid needs to be reabsorbed and/or removed via drains). These drains exit the skin in various positions chosen by the surgeon's habit, preference, or training. While the purpose of the drain(s) is to allow the removal of blood or serum that might accumulate beneath the skin flaps (hematoma or seroma), the puncture through the skin can allow bacteria to track right along the drainage tube into the deep tissues beneath your skin. Being in the shower allows moisture to aid in the movement of bacteria along the drain tract(s). Thus, I recommend that my patients only sponge bathe while their drains are in. This is not a hard and fast "rule," as drains are sometimes in longer than a week or ten days, and sponge bathing and washing one's hair in the sink only go so far! In cases where drains may be in longer, or when patient personal hygiene is actually improved by showering, then I allow this even with drain(s) still in place. I have not had infection occur in either case, so I absolutely respect the viewpoint of other colleagues who allow showering for their patients with drains still in place.But absolutely not bathtubs, hot tubs, jacuzzis, pools, etc. with drains in place!After surgery your activities should be limited to non-strenuous ones, so getting all dirty, sweaty, and stinky is much less of an issue than you might suspect. When I do skin grafts for areola reconstruction, those grafts must be kept dry and undisturbed for a full 3 weeks in order for the grafts to "take" and survive. Skin grafts are not durable enough to withstand showering until they have at least that much time healing and becoming durable. These patients do not shower for 3 weeks! Consider yourself lucky! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Your doctor has his own beliefs, and you have to follow his instructions because the type of drains he used with you, possibly need a different care.I use closed Jackson Pratts drains, they are 100% sealed, and I request my nurses to give their first shower to  my patients the day after surgery and so on. But these type of devices are safe to wet them. Actually I use the cleaning during shower as part of the wound cleaning. and after shower we use wound cleansers.You may wash your hair like in the saloon and a sponge bath for the rest of the body.Be patient, your doctor knows his reasons.Dr. Cardenas