How soon after surgery can I get the wound wet? A guide to post-op care

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in the BMJ, allowing minor surgical wounds to get wet between 12 and 48 hours post-op does not significantly increase the risk of infection. Understanding the specific guidelines for your procedure is crucial to know how soon after surgery can I get the wound wet and ensure a safe recovery. Always follow your surgeon's personalized instructions for optimal healing.

Quick Summary

The safe timeframe for getting a surgical wound wet varies, but for many standard procedures, showering is often permitted 24 to 48 hours after surgery, as long as you avoid soaking the wound. The exact timing depends on the type of surgery, wound closure method, and your doctor's instructions. Avoid baths, pools, and hot tubs until the wound is fully healed to prevent infection.

Key Points

Initial Dry Period: Keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 to 48 hours to allow the incision to seal and begin healing.
Showering vs. Soaking: Showers are generally permissible after 24-48 hours, but baths, pools, and hot tubs should be avoided for several weeks to prevent infection.
Specific Instructions Matter: The exact timeframe depends on your specific surgery and how the wound was closed (e.g., stitches, glue, or staples). Always follow your surgeon's advice.
Gentle Cleaning: When showering, let mild soapy water run gently over the wound, then pat it dry with a clean towel; do not rub or scrub.
Watch for Complications: Be vigilant for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, drainage, or a fever, and contact your doctor if you notice any issues.
Protect from Germs: Soaking a healing wound can increase the risk of infection by introducing bacteria into the vulnerable site.

Understanding the Post-Surgical Healing Timeline

Following surgery, your incision site undergoes a delicate healing process that requires careful management to prevent complications. Keeping the wound clean and dry during the initial phase is crucial, but the specific timeline for reintroducing water varies. The primary concern is protecting the incision from bacteria and allowing the skin's protective barrier to seal properly.

The First 24–48 Hours: The Critical Dry Period

For the first one to two days after your operation, it is generally recommended to keep the surgical wound completely dry. This initial period is vital for the skin to begin sealing itself. For patients with a waterproof dressing, such as a clear plastic film (e.g., Tegaderm), a gentle shower might be permitted earlier, but this should only be done under a surgeon's direct instruction. If your dressing is not waterproof and becomes wet or saturated with fluid, it should be changed immediately to reduce the risk of infection. In this early phase, a sponge bath can be an effective way to maintain personal hygiene without exposing the wound to water.

After 48 Hours: The Shift to Showering

Once the initial dry period has passed, many surgeons will give the green light for showering. Typically, this occurs 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. When you shower, it is important to follow a few key best practices to protect the healing wound:

Avoid directing the water stream directly at the incision. Let warm, soapy water run gently over the wound rather than scrubbing it.
Use mild soap. Harsh or scented soaps, lotions, or other products can irritate the sensitive healing skin and should be avoided.
Pat, don't rub. After the shower, gently pat the area dry with a clean, soft towel. Rubbing can disrupt the delicate healing tissue.
Allow to air dry. For best results, let the wound air dry completely before applying a new dressing, if one is still needed.

Factors Influencing the Timeline for Wetting a Surgical Wound

Not all surgical wounds are created equal, and the type of incision and closure method play a significant role in determining how soon you can safely get the wound wet. Always defer to your healthcare provider's specific instructions, as they are tailored to your unique circumstances.

Wound Closure Method Comparison


Closure Type	Description	Safe Timeframe for Water Exposure	Recommended Practice
Sutures/Staples	Traditional stitches or staples holding the skin layers together.	Generally, showering is okay after 24-48 hours. Submerging is prohibited until removal (typically 2-4 weeks) and full healing.	Pat dry gently after showering. Avoid soaking in baths or pools.
Steri-Strips	Adhesive strips placed over a healed incision.	Normal showering can resume with strips in place.	Do not pull or rub the strips; they will fall off on their own.
Tissue Adhesive (Surgical Glue)	A waterproof sealant used for small, clean incisions.	Keep the area dry for the first five days. Gentle showering is acceptable, but avoid scrubbing.	Let it fall off naturally. Do not peel or pick at the glue.
Laparoscopic Incisions	Small incisions used for minimally invasive procedures.	Showering is often permitted after 24-48 hours. Submerging is generally avoided for several weeks until incisions are fully closed.	Ensure small ports are healed before soaking in water.

The Dangers of Soaking a Healing Wound

While showering after a short waiting period is usually safe, completely submerging the wound in water is highly discouraged until it is fully healed. This is especially true for baths, hot tubs, and swimming pools. Soaking the wound can lead to several complications:

Increased infection risk. Water sources like pools or hot tubs can harbor bacteria, which can enter the wound and cause an infection.
Reopening the incision. The skin around a healing wound is delicate. Soaking it can soften the tissue and potentially cause the incision to reopen, increasing healing time and infection risk.
Disrupting wound closure. For wounds closed with adhesive strips or surgical glue, soaking can cause the closure material to loosen or fall off prematurely.

When to Call Your Doctor

Throughout the healing process, monitoring your incision for any signs of infection or complications is important. Contact your surgeon immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Increasing redness, swelling, or pain around the incision.
Thick, discolored, or foul-smelling drainage (pus).
The wound becoming larger or darker in appearance.
Fever above 100°F (37.7°C) lasting for more than four hours.

Conclusion: The Importance of Following Medical Advice

Ultimately, the question of how soon after surgery can I get the wound wet has no single, universal answer. It is determined by the specific type of surgery, the method used to close the wound, and your overall health status. The most critical step is to follow your surgeon's instructions precisely, as they are your most authoritative source of information. By understanding the general guidelines and being vigilant for signs of complication, you can help ensure a smooth and successful recovery. For additional resources on surgical wound care and recovery, you can refer to authoritative sources like the MedlinePlus Surgical Wound Care guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

For many standard surgical procedures, you can shower 24 to 48 hours after your operation. However, you should wait for specific clearance from your surgeon before doing so and avoid soaking the wound.

No, you should avoid taking baths, or submerging your wound in any water, until your incision is fully healed and your surgeon gives you approval. This can be several weeks after your procedure.

Getting your wound wet too soon can interfere with the healing process by softening the skin and potentially introducing bacteria, which increases the risk of infection.

If you are cleared to shower but still need to protect your wound, you can use a waterproof dressing or cover the area with a plastic bag. Let soapy water run over the area rather than directly scrubbing it.

No, swimming in pools, lakes, or the ocean should be avoided until your wound is completely healed and your surgeon explicitly approves it, as these water sources can carry a higher risk of infection.

After the initial dry period, you can clean your incision by letting warm, mild, soapy water run over it in the shower. Do not scrub the area. After showering, pat the wound gently with a clean towel and let it air dry completely.

If your dressing gets wet, and it is not a waterproof type approved by your surgeon, you should change it promptly. A wet dressing can trap moisture and harbor bacteria, increasing infection risk.