Tummy tuck incision. When are you allowed to take a shower avoiding infection?

My technique covers and seals completely the operative site including the belly button for at least two weeks. Unless there is a profound indication to remove the sealed areas - it is covered for this amount of time. This gives me the best result in my opinion. I allow showering without spray on the incision in 4-5 days- that is you can take a shower, spray on your back and lower legs, ad avoid direct spay on the incision site. Keep in mind - all doctors have different techniques- check with you operating surgeon

Great question.  Most plastic surgeons have their favorite postoperative instructions for a tummy tuck.  I usually let a patient shower in the first 3 to 4 days depending on what I see in their first postoperative visit.  

Thank you for your question.  Every plastic surgeon has their own post operative instructions, including when showering can resume.  While I allow my patients to shower the day after surgery, others sometimes wait longer.  I would suggest contacting your surgeon's office to ask when, and they can go through their protocol.The same is true for the belly button.  I typically have it washed with soap and water, sometimes with the assistance of a Q tip, a day or two after surgery.  Other surgeons may vary, and I would suggest contacting yours for specific instructions.Best of luck with your continued recovery.Jeff Rockmore

I'd suggest checking with your own PS, but in my practice patients will usually shower 48 hours after surgery.  Occasionally if I insert a drain they will wait until all drains have been removed for 24 hours. Tightness sensation will usually gradually diminish over weeks or longer.

You can shower two days after a tummy tuck. You can use Neosporin to the belly button twice daily. Abdominal tightness can take weeks to months to relax completely.Ask your surgeon as each surgeon has a specific protocol.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Every surgeon has his or her protocols.  I recommend that my patients show 48 hours after the procedure.  The feeling of tightness goes away but  when it does depends on the person.  

The skin normally takes ~ 48 hours to seal after a sutured repair. I
encourage my patients keep the drain sites dry until the drains are
removed. Application of Tegaderm or similar waterproof bandage at the
drain site may allow showering sooner. Submerging or soaking with drains
in place is a bad idea and may result in infection. I know many of my
colleagues allow showering early, and believe this is never a problem. Half strength hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip can be used to swab out the belly button after two days, but be gentle.The extreme tightness that most people experience after tummy tuck resolves after five days, but you could still feel tightness for weeks.Good luck!

In general, it is safe to shower 48-72 hours after the procedure.  Avoid using soap around the incision site.  Do not take baths or keep the surgical incision submerged in still water as this will increase the likelihood of infection.  Depending on your surgeon, you may have steri-strips covering your incision and these should be left for 2 weeks.  You can get them wet in the shower and then just pat them dry.As for the belly button, this can be effectively cleaned gently with a Q-tip.  Be sure to check with your surgeon as different closure techniques might necessitate different post-operative incision care.Abdominal tightness is normal after this procedure and can persist for a few weeks.  With healing and resolution of swelling, this will improve.Kind Regards,Adil

Wound care after a procedure is very surgeon specific.  I would recommend contacting your PS to discuss his/her protocol.  Typically, I recommend patients to shower 48 hrs after their tummy tuck.  The umbilicus (belly button) can be cleans with mild soap and water and a Q-tip.  As for the tightness, it will normalize over time during the healing process. 

Contact your surgeons office, they are your best resource since they know exactly what was done. Every surgeon has different post operative instructions and their own reasons for them. Best wishes. Dean Vistnes.