Showering After Hernia Repair: Safe Practices & Guidelines

The University of Wisconsin Health.org recommends keeping your stitches dry for 24 to 48 hours after hernia surgery. Yet, you may want to shower before then because of personal comfort issues. While you don't want water to come into direct contact with your stitches, you don't have to refrain from showering. Instead, you can protect the area and shower without getting the stitches wet.

Things You'll Need

• Sealing plastic wrap

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Instructions

• 1

  Cover the dressing and stitches with sealing plastic wrap. Use the kind that clings so it will stay in place.

• 2

  Shower, but don't let direct shower spray hit the sealing plastic wrap.

• 3

  Dry off and remove the sealing plastic wrap from the area.