Each doctor has clear directions for you to follow for the first few days after surgery, including instructions for when it is safe to start bathing and showering. The directions are largely based on the type of surgery that was performed and the way the incision was closed during surgery. The instructions about bathing and showering were provided at the time of your discharge. Contact your doctor promptly if this information has been misplaced, so you can prevent infection, avoid injury, and move forward with your recovery.
The most common four ways to close a surgical incision are: using surgical sutures, also called stitches; staples; wound closure strips, sometimes called butterfly band-aids or steri-strips; and liquid tissue glue. [2] X Research source Many surgeons will also apply a waterproof bandage over the incision to allow you to shower as you normally would, when you feel up to it. [3] X Research source Exposure to gentle streams of water 24 hours after surgery for incisions closed with tissue glue is considered acceptable in most cases. [4] X Research source Sutures can be the kind that are removed once the tissue is healing, or they may be absorbable, and will dissolve into your skin without the need to be manually removed. [5] X Research source Caring for incisions that were closed with sutures that need to be manually removed, staples, or wound closure strips similar to butterfly band-aids, may require keeping the area dry for a longer period of time. This can be accomplished by continuing to take sponge baths, or by covering the area when showering. [6] X Research source
Clean the area using mild soap and water, but do not let soap or other bath products get directly into the incision. Let clean water gently run over the area. [8] X Research source Most surgeons recommend resuming the use of your normal soap and hair care products.
Gently pat the area with a clean towel or gauze pads. [9] X Research source Do not wipe harshly and do not remove any visible sutures, staples, or wound closure strips that are still in place. Avoid picking at the incision and allow scabs to remain until they naturally fall off, as they help to prevent the incision from further bleeding. [10] X Research source
Gently pat the area with a clean towel or gauze pads. [9] X Research source Do not wipe harshly and do not remove any visible sutures, staples, or wound closure strips that are still in place. Avoid picking at the incision and allow scabs to remain until they naturally fall off, as they help to prevent the incision from further bleeding. [10] X Research source
Changing the dressing, according to the directions provided by your doctor, may include the use of topical products. Antibiotic creams or ointments may have been recommended as part of the dressing changes, but use topical products only if you were instructed to do so. [12] X Research source
Gently pat the area dry, including the wound closure strips, as long as they are in place.
Follow your doctor’s instructions. There are many variables involved with surgery, and the risk of developing an infection or damaging the incision can be avoided by following your doctor’s specific directions. [15] X Research source Keep clean gauze pads nearby to pat the area if needed throughout the day, even when you are not near water.
Most surgeons will provide clear instructions for methods they prefer to cover the incision while showering. Use clear plastic wrap, a trash bag, or a cling-type wrap, to completely cover the incision. Use medical tape around the edges to prevent water from seeping inside the covered area. [16] X Research source For difficult to reach areas, get a family member or friend to cut plastic bags or plastic wrap to cover the area and tape it in place. For shoulder and upper back areas, in addition to the cover placed on the incision, a garbage bag draped like a cape can be helpful in keeping water, soap, and shampoo away from the area as you shower. For a chest incision, drape the bag more like a bib. [17] X Research source
Use a sponge or washcloth dipped in water with small amounts of a mild soap. Dry yourself with a clean towel.
Do not soak the area, sit in a tub filled with water, sit in a hot tub, or go swimming for at least three weeks or until your doctor says it is ok to do so. [20] X Research source
Depending on the type of surgery, you may want to use a shower stool, chair, or hand rails to provide stability and prevent falling. [22] X Research source Surgeries that involve your knees, legs, ankles, feet, and back may make it difficult for you to safely balance in the small shower area, so using stools, chairs or rails, can help to provide additional support.
Adjust the water stream before entering the shower to provide a comfortable temperature and adjust the flow of the water to protect the incision.
Contact your doctor immediately if you think your incision is becoming infected. [24] X Research source Symptoms of infection include a temperature of 101°F (38. 3°C) or higher, nausea and vomiting, severe pain, a new redness at the incision site, tenderness, a feeling of warmth to the touch, drainage that has an odor or is green or yellow in color, and new swelling around the area of the incision. [25] X Research source Research suggests that as many as 300,000 people that have surgery each year in the United States will develop an infection. And, sadly, about 10,000 of those people with die from that infection. [26] X Research source
Some risk factors include being obese, having diabetes or a weakened immune system, malnutrition, taking corticosteroids, or smoking. [27] X Research source
Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, handling garbage, touching pets, handling dirty laundry, touching anything that has been outside, and after handling soiled wound dressing materials. [29] X Research source Take caution to advise family members and visitors to wash their hands before coming into contact with the person that had the surgery. [30] X Research source Stop smoking at least two weeks prior to the surgery if possible, though four to six weeks is preferable. Smoking slows down the healing process,[31] X Research source depriving the healing tissues of oxygen and potentially causing infection. [32] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Other signs of an infection that warrant contacting your doctor immediately include new areas of redness around the site, pus drainage from the incision, drainage that has an odor or is discolored, tenderness in the area, warmth to the touch, or new swelling in the area of the incision.
Do not press firmly on the incision. Apply gentle pressure and wrap the area with clean, dry gauze until you can get to your doctor or to another medical facility to have the area examined.
Or if you show the following symptoms of a blood clot: paleness, the extremity is cool to the touch, chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual swelling in an arm or leg. [33] X Research source
