How long after appendectomy can one take a shower?
Jun 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Patients generally can take a shower 7 to 10 days after appendectomy. If the surgical wound is large, an open abdominal surgery was performed, or the wound heals slowly, showering may need to be delayed until 9 to 10 days postoperatively. In these patients, wound recovery tends to be slower, and getting the wound wet too early may easily lead to infection. Patients should wait until the wound has completely healed and all scabs have fallen off before showering, and should avoid direct water pressure on the wound.
Generally, patients can take a shower 7 to 10 days after appendectomy. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If the surgical wound is large, open abdominal surgery was performed, or wound healing is slow, the time before showering may need to be longer, such as 9 to 10 days post-operation. In these patients, wound recovery is relatively delayed, and exposure to water too early may lead to infection. Patients should wait until the wound has completely scabbed over and healed before showering, and avoid direct water pressure on the wound.
If the surgery was a laparoscopic minimally invasive procedure, the wound is small, and there are no signs of infection, the waiting time before showering may be shorter, such as 7 to 8 days post-operation. At this point, the wound has generally healed, and showering may be done slightly earlier. However, waterproof dressings should be used to protect the wound, prolonged soaking should be avoided, and a shower rather than a bath should be taken.
When showering, ensure the water temperature is appropriate, avoid rubbing the wound vigorously, dry the wound promptly and disinfect it after showering. If abnormalities such as redness, swelling, or discharge from the wound occur, stop showering immediately and seek medical attention.
