WHen Can you bathe?

I am a that loves baths. When is it ok to take a bath instead of a shower? I'm 3 weeks post op now? Any suggestions I would love. I called my doctors office and the lady that answered the phone told me to call the Hospital and ask them cuz my Doctor is out of town. Thank you so much. s

Hi Lynn! Well, to be safe, I'd say stay on the conservative side. Many of our DRs, mine included, stuck to the "nothing in the vagina (including water) for six weeks" rule. Your DR must have someone who's on call while he's away, though, so I would think you could ask that DR if you're hoping to be able to bathe earlier.
Hope this helps!
s,
-Linda

Dear sister,
Nobody told me not to bath and I've had one everyday since day 5 post-op.
I will watch your posting to see what advice I get.
I am now 4 weeks post op toady and feel fine. No pain only a bit tired.
Take care Erica

Hi there, i have had TVH plus A&P repaires and i started having a bath 2 days post opp, in the UK it is encouraged . Though i did lift myself out the bath with my legs and armes, rather than lift out with my tummy,
Hope you feel well soon, i,m v pleased with my recovery (nearly 4 weeks) walking alot better and no problems
Huggs to all jane xxx

Hi,

I had TAH. I asked my doc about bath and was told that I can take a bath once I can move around comfortably, else to ensure that someone is with me to help with getting in and out of the bath tub. I took a bath 8 days after ops and showers before that. Had no problems from the bath or shower. Hope this helps.

hongwah

Like Hongwash I was told it was fine as soon as I could easily get out of the tub. In fact, when I was in the hospital one of the nurses that I talked to about baths, said that their gyn/oncologist insisted that his patients get into the bath everyday that they are in the hospital. They have a lift to help get them out of the tub.

But... many Dr are firm about waiting for 6 wks, so you need to check with your own Dr.

Caren

Hi, Had TVH/BSO and was told to take a couple of baths with nothing in it at 5 day's post op (Had DH scrubbing the tub all the time ) and then was able to go back to my nightly bubble baths at 8 weeks. Check with your DR since many dr's view things differently.

My doc said to soak in a tub several times a day. Helps heal the rectal repair area. Had my LAVH on Monday.

Word of caution, especially to users of whirlpool baths. Recent class action law suit against Jacuzzi Corp for not telling consumers how to sanitize the jets, and perfect timing that I got the notification of this law suit last weekend.

Recommended cleaning procedure is 2 heaping tablespoons of dishwasher detergent (Cascade is one the name brands) Fill tub with 140 degree water straight from the tank and dissolved power well. Run jets for 10 minutes and drain and rinse tub.

I called the doctors office again and this time talked to a nurse. She said that as long as my incision was closed and healed up I could take a bath. So guess what tonight I'm taking a bath

I was delivered to a strange and wonderful bathtub on my 2nd day post-op - it was like a giant swan shaped chair with water up to the knees - my drain bag and tube were tossed into the water and I was helped into the seat part which had a deep groove under the peritoneal area. Once I was in, the side was closed and the whole affair tilted back, covering me in water up to my breasts. This was all very soothing to my incision which was closed with dissolving sutures and 19 staples. I have bathed every day and the stitches are gone (the drain came out 3rd day post-op) The bathing has kept the early serum oozing clear and it just feels so soothing.

I had to leave the fancy tub at the hospital, but DH has been fixing the bath for me and washing my hair and back. When I am finished, I shower off the shampoo and hubby helps me get dry. I have to be careful to pat dry the staples, but nothing seems to be too fragile. I was surprised that the hospital insisted on bathing, but I won't argue with the results.