Usually 24 hours, if your discharge instructions agree.
MedlinePlus guidance on closed surgical wounds says it is usually fine to shower after 24 hours and prefers showers over baths, because soaking a wound can cause it to reopen or become infected. Practical mechanics: remove the dressing first if your team said so, let lukewarm water run gently over the wound, skip scrubbing, and pat dry with a clean towel. Some wounds get stricter rules, including certain dressings and stitches a unit wants kept dry for days, and your own instructions always outrank general guidance. Baths, pools, and hot tubs stay off the list until the wound is fully sealed.
What to do
Common questions
When can I shower after surgery?
Usually about 24 hours after surgery, as long as your discharge instructions agree. MedlinePlus says it is normally fine to shower after 24 hours, that showers are better than baths because the wound does not soak in water, and that soaking can make a wound reopen or get infected. Before your first shower, remove the dressing if your team told you to, or keep a waterproof one on if they said to keep it covered. Let water run over the wound gently, avoid scrubbing it or aiming hot high-pressure spray straight at it, and pat it dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing. Some operations are stricter: certain dressings, wounds over joints, or units that advise keeping stitches dry for several days. Your team's instructions beat any general rule. Baths, swimming, hot tubs, and sea swimming wait until the wound is fully sealed. If showering reveals something worrying, like the wound edges gaping or fresh discharge, dry off and call your surgical team the same day.