I wasn't sure from your post if you are in a remodel mode or just replacing what is there. If you aren't ripping tile out to replace the valve, I think you just want to change your fixed showerhead to a handheld? If you are retrofitting, and not wanting to spend much money, I did this in the kids' bathroom. I got an all-in-one from Danze (okay, not highly rated here, but it works well so far, was easy to install, and is pretty handy). The only additional piece you would need is replacement trim for your volume control (the water control thing). What I am learning is that not all trim fits all valves -- in fact, they tell me you have to stick with the manufacturer of the valve. So check that and maybe look at what that manufacturer has by way of handheld shower fixtures. I'm just learning about this stuff myself (and will definitely get the thermostatic valve that astridh recommends for our master bath remodel). So, if I'm wrong, someone else can correct me. Here is a link that might be useful: Danze handheld shower

Catbuilder - the outlet high on the wall works fine if you are only using the handheld during showering or for cleaning but not if you want to use it while laying in he tub. If you have a normal 59" hose and the starting point is way up high on the wall and you are sitting in a 60" tub with your head at the other end and want to wash with the handheld it won't reach. You would need a much longer hose and I don't want a super low hose (like 80") dangling down all the time. Hollysprings - I actually have a Jason air tub with integrated flange that I purchased for a steal on Craigslist. No, I have never used an air tub. I would love to find a showroom near me where I could test one out.

socalgrl, Thanks for your reply. We are also the exact same heights so I would take your advice but...apparently, I have the world's dumbest plumber. He kept telling me that the shower shelf was adjustable and could go anywhere on the bar so yesterday, I pulled the whole thing out and played with it to see how to put it together (the same one you have) and the shelf HAS to be on the bottom like the picture. Now I have a problem-grrr. He mounted the elbow 4 inches below the valve and if I lower the bar, the hose will run over the shelf. As it is now, there is only one way to mount the bar and the height is going to be too tall for even dh at 6'2". I am about to cry. So the shelf will be directly below the valve/plate/handle to turn on the water and above the elbow for the hose and that puts the bottom of the bar 40 some inches from the shower floor-ack! I wanted to be able to flip the head over to be able to use the spray at least on my lower back. (I love this thing and how it flips!) I think I will try and take some pictures and see if anyone here can help me figure it out. The painter comes tomorrow so I still have a few days. Thanks again!

It is a little different than ordering just a bath faucet, that's for sure! I would do a search for "thermobalance" or "hand shower" on this site. There are quite a lot of really good threads with good info. When you say shower body, I think you mean the valve-what turns the water on and off. What your plumber has right now can operate one shower head and to operate two shower heads, you will need to get a valve with a diverter already in it or buy a separate diverter. ( A diverter is the thing that switches the water from the handheld to the shower head and vice versa) You will learn all about it when you do the search and start reading through all the threads. I would also stop by a local plumbling store (not HD or Lowes) and talk to a sales person then you can look at the quality of all the shower companies before you pull the trigger) Good Luck-