I'm 12 days post-op, no stitches, nothing. I never even thought to ask my surgeon but if like to take a bath. Any reason I can't?

I believe you are not supposed to for the first 4wks. I'm sure the sutures need to heal before you soak in the bath.

I was sent home with instructions not to (I had the "super glue" on my incisions). I asked at three weeks when the incisions seemed heeled and the doc. said I could. I suggest you ask your doc.

Darn! Thanks y'all!!

Yeah, like what was said above, I think 12 days post-op is too soon to take a bath, if even a tiny bit of your incision is open, there's a risk for infection, so that's why you should wait until they're all 100 percent healed, but I agree that you should call your surgeon's office to get an exact answer.

I was supposed to wait two weeks. But I didn't. I am a bather! I had to do it.

This made be laugh made me think of the time Jerry couldn't take a shower because of the water pressure and he said he couldn't take a shower because it was like sitting in his own filth...boy 3 weeks is going to be a long time for ppl who like baths

I was supposed to wait two weeks. But I didn't. I am a bather! I had to do it.

I was in the bath within 3 days..

I had special second-skin waterproof dressings on my wounds. They were a god-send and absolutely water-tight.

A bath was invaluable. See if you can get some of those fabulous dressings and away you go

Edited February 10, 201412 yr by Madam Reverie

You could take a shower, but you can't take a bath. You can't let your wounds soak for a long period of time

I have a follow up Wednesday so will let you know what my surgeon says. I'm learning that all surgeons do and advise different things.

Thanks so much everyone.

Edited February 10, 201412 yr by slmwo

I had my week follow up on a Thursday, December 19, 2013. I was itchin' to get back in the pool and start exercising. I was a regular swimmer/water aerobics type exerciser before surgery. The sugeon looked at my incisions and said: "Gimmie another week." I was in the pool 2 weeks and 1 day after my surgery. I may be the exception to the rule. Talking to your doc is always your first and best option because everyone is different.

Blessings,

Kathleen

Doc told me I could soak once all the steri-strips fell off (on their own!)

Well, had my 2 week follow up and got permission to take a bath. Surgeon did tell me, however, that determination is based on how well my incisions have healed and not on timing. I hope that helps!