Bathing post op?

[kaytiebugs 0]

Are you supposed to take showers post op? Or bathe in the tub? Or can you do either? I've never had surgery so I'm not sure how that works. If you are only supposed to do one of the two, when can you do both again?

And what about washing your hair? I have lots of hair. Does reaching to wash it hurt? Will I need hubby to help?

[justmel1957 1]

My post op orders were to shower for 2 weeks-until my incisions were completely healed and closed. No pool either.

After that I could get in a tub and pool.

[Jodi_620 37]

I was told no soaking in the tub for one week.

[tapshoes 2]

As with everything else, your physician may have his/her own rules; 'tis best to check.

For my doc, shower was fine for first 3 weeks, after that a bath was allowed. No swimming pools or hot tubs though for 6 weeks.

[MissSac 0]

I waited until surgery day to ask this question and the nurse said well don't shower until you see the surgeron so I didn't ..... come to find out I could have showered all along . My advice is to ask the doc on your appointments prior to surgery as to his/her suggestion. Good luck!

[themis 0]

I think it depends on what your doctor uses to close up the incisions. Mine used glue and I took a shower the next day. I had no restrictions for bathing at all. In fact I had no restrictions for sex either.. (sorry, I know you didn't ask that.. just to let you know how things vary)

No... washing your hair shouldn't be an issue.

Just check with your doctor before hand, like you've probably noticed.. every doctor is different.

[HeatherO 7]

Almost every doctor says you can shower the first couple of weeks. The goal is to keep the incision sites from staying wet very long, so clean them quickly and minimize Water exposure. Baths, pools, hot tubs are never allowed the first couple of weeks.

One thing my doctor stressed is that you must use a clean towel or washclothe everytime, if you reuse them you can risk infection. I was also told that papertowels can be used to dry the incision sites. However, my preference was to air dry.

I think you should be able to wash your hair just fine.