Showering After Tummy Tuck

Maintaining the highest levels of hygiene is crucial after a tummy tuck surgery, as this will ensure correct healing and shield you from infection.

This article will go into detail about showering post-tummy tuck so that you can go into your recovery feeling confident in your washing routine.

When Can You Shower After a Tummy Tuck?

After 48 hours, your wounds will be sufficiently healed for showering to be a possibility. The bandages used will be waterproof, meaning you need not worry about damaging them with moisture.

Avoid Bathing or Soaking

Submerging your incisions in water by taking a bath is not advisable in the early stages of your recovery, as soaking can impede the healing process. The water can cause an infection which could lead to your tummy tuck scars forming poorly or asymmetrically.

You may need to avoid soaking your wounds for up to 6 weeks. 

Try a Sponge Bath

A good way of cleansing your treatment areas without soaking them too much is to use a sponge to dab them with lukewarm soapy water, removing any sweat or dirt that may have accumulated.

This may be particularly useful in the first few days after your surgery and can prevent bacteria from entering the healing wounds.

Showering Tips Following a Tummy Tuck

Different types of tummy tucks will have different incisions and, as such, will have different demands for showering and drying. Pay close attention to the instructions given regarding your incisions in this regard.

In all cases, it is important to be careful when showering after a tummy tuck. In order to work towards the best outcomes for your procedure, try to take this advice into account:

Keep Showers Short

Leaving your incisions exposed to water for long periods could have a detrimental effect on how your scars heal, so make sure to keep your showers brief, at least for the first few weeks.

Avoid Hot Water

Post-procedure, it is better to avoid hot water, as it can damage the skin without you realising. Instead, use lukewarm or cool water when showering or bathing your treatment areas by hand.

Pat Dry or Air Dry

When you get out of the shower, provided you take great care, you can either gently pat dry your incisions with a clean, non-abrasive towel or allow the water to evaporate through the combination of the air and your body’s natural warmth.

Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?

The effects of a tummy tuck can be transformative for the patients who undergo them.

If you are bothered by loose or excess skin, this can be removed. If you are suffering with diastasis recti, your core muscles can be repaired and tightened up, leaving a flatter, more aesthetically pleasing stomach.

Overall, many patients report their tummy tuck to be a worthwhile endeavour. 

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today

If you’re interested in seeing what a tummy tuck could do for you, book a consultation with Dr. Omar Tillo, the CREO clinic’s expert body contouring surgeon.