OK to shower, no hot tubs, baths, pools, submerging incisions under water until completely healed. Monitor for redness, increased or changed drainage or swelling around incision sites. No lotions creams or oils over incision sites.
Remove chest tube dressing prior to showering, replace with gauze and tape or bandaid if continues to drain fluid. Fluid may continue to drain for a couple of days post-operatively especially with coughing/sneezing or bearing down. Fluid may be orange, red, pink or yellow. If fluid looks milky or thick please call.
Service: Thoracic
Author: Garrett Skinner