Showering after surgery

[vishman14]

Hi Drs! I just had my surgery yesterday, and im feeling good and can feel the results. Im not in too much pain, and am looking forward to getting these bandages off tomorrow. But when on earth can i take a shower again? My surgeon says i cant do it until the bandages come off tomorrow, and even then i may have to wait. When is the best time to shower? I feel so grimy!!! ughhhhhhh

[Litlriki]

I let my patients shower two days after surgery, but you need to speak to your surgeon to get his recommendations.  He may have a reason that he wants you to wait.  The only time I restrict patients is when I leave drains, but I almost never use drains for this surgery.

Rick Silverman

[DrBermant]

Hi Drs! I just had my surgery yesterday, and im feeling good and can feel the results. Im not in too much pain, and am looking forward to getting these bandages off tomorrow. But when on earth can i take a shower again? My surgeon says i cant do it until the bandages come off tomorrow, and even then i may have to wait. When is the best time to shower? I feel so grimy!!! ughhhhhhh

This is technique dependent. I see patients from around the world. They are usually able to fly back the day after surgery. Flying without showing can be offensive so one goal long ago was to evolve a sealed dressing system that could take showing. My patients are usually able to shower 24 hours after surgery. That time permits a bond between the bandage and skin that tolerates a gentle shower. That also permits me to see the patient, check the chest, help the patient learn about getting the garment off and back on, the additional gauze we use to go after the negligible swelling under the contour valleys that the garment does not compress, and other such details of the education process that contributes to our successful sculpture. I cannot achieve that sealed dressing for a skin reduction chest lift and those patients are normally asked to stay locally longer. Sealing that extensive a wound can constrict breathing.

So this is a question best directed to your operating surgeon and, in my opinion, should have been part of the educational process each patient is exposed to before surgery instead of having to ask in a forum. Knowledge is power and the enabled patient better able to contribute to a more comfortable recovery.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, M.D.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Agree with Dr. Silverman.  It is best to follow the instructions of your surgeon.  Perhaps you can sit in a tub with a few inches of water so that you don't get the dressings wet.

I generally allow my patients to shower at 48 hours after surgery -- except in the very rare circumstance when I have used a drain.

Dr Jacobs

[DrPensler]

I typically allow patients to shower after 48 hours ,but this is a question best answered by your surgeon based on the technique used and their experience.