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I Will Be Having my Mommy Makeover Done on March 12th Will I Be Able to Take a 4 Hour Car Trip After 17 Days?

asked 3 months ago by Jennifer6177 in Washington D.C.
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 168 times
Tags: 3 weeks post-op, risk, sitting, travel

I will be having a full tummy tuck, breast lift with aug, and lipo of the flanks. I really want to make it to my daughter's sport competition which is a 4 hour drive. I would be sitting in a chair for 4 hours during the competition. It will take place about 17 days post-op. Will my body be able to handle this?

14 answers to I Will Be Having my Mommy Makeover Done on March 12th Will I Be Able to Take a 4 Hour Car Trip After 17 Days?

Car ride after mommy makeover

You should be OK with the 4 hour car ride 17 days after your surgery. I would recommend some breaks during your trip to do some walking. Get that blood circulating to prevent any blood clots. But please check with your PS and get their thoughts. All my mommy makeover patients are ambulating a few hours after surgery (of course walking flexed at their waist given the tummy tuck). Most surgeons will likely recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

I Will Be Having my Mommy Makeover Done on March 12th Will I Be Able to Take a 4 Hour Car Trip After 17 Days?

I think you will likely feel tired and sitting is OK, but I would advise getting up every so often to walk around and while driving it would be good to stop every hour or so to allow you to walk around to avoid any chance of a blood clot forming in your legs

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

lvcosmeticsurgery.com

4 hour car ride to 4 hour competition should be okay 17 days after Mommy Makeover

Hi there- As long as you follow your surgeon's instructions in all ways, and your early postoperative course goes smoothly otherwise, I would think you plans should not complicate your outcome or recovery at all. As always, however, I would recommend you get your surgeon's permission.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Traveling 17 days after surgery.

Assuming your surgery goes well and there are no problems afterward, then you should be able to make your trip. Your biggest responsibility would be to keep yourself well hydrated, to wear compressive stocking on your legs ( you can get these in a medical supply store) and to stop every hour so you could get out and walk around for 10 to 15 minutes. These measures are all meant to decrease the risk of blood clots in your legs during a 4 hour trip. Be sure this is cleared... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Acivity level after mommy makeover

Most likely you will feel up to attend the event, if not perhaps you can catch the next one. I would purchase some compression stockings to wear during the drive and make sure you stop several times during the trip and walk around for a few minutes--doing both of these will decrease your risk of blood clots. Get a comfortable seat pad/chair to sit in during the event, and of course check with your PS before you leave. Good luck! Dr Kerr

Mahlon Kerr, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

When is it safe to travel following Mommy Makeover

The short answer is yes if the following applies: Your postoperative recovery was uneventful , your drains have been removed, don't have a tendency to form clots and you are without complications then you should be able to travel safely. There is some risk however and as long as you understand this risk (informed consent) and take some preventative actions a road trip would probably be fine in most cases. Here is what I would suggest - in all cases follow the instructions and... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Traveling after a mommy makeover

It sounds like you should be okay. Just make sure you get out and stretch every 1-2 hours in order to help prevent any blod clots in your legs.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Travel after surgery

Travel after surgery depends upon how you are doing and how you are feeling. A 4 hour car trip after 17 days is possible if everything is going well. You should arrange your follow up with your surgeon so that he or she can see you just before you leave and make sure your plans make sense. If you are allowed to travel stretch your legs and take frequent breaks. Sitting in a car can lead to blood clots in the leg even without surgery, but after a tummy tuck you want to... more

Adam Tattelbaum, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

www.atcosmetics.com

Traveling After A Mommy Makeover

I think you should be ok to travel, but I would recommend that you see your surgeon right before you leave to be sure that they have no concerns. I would also suggest that you "pump" your calves 20-30 times every 15 minutes while you are in the car. I would then have you get out of the car once an hour and walk for 5-10 minutes. These exercises are meant to reduce your risk of a DVT(blood clot). I would not recommend that you sit for the entire 4 hours of your child's event.... more

Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Car trip and travel 17 days after tummy tuck

Yes, I agree that it will probably be okay. You will need to have frequent stops for "walking breaks" to move your legs and prevent clots. You will also probably not have all of your stamina back and tire easily. Plan to take extra time to do everything as you will not be 100%. If your surgeon uses drains, not all of them may be out by then depending on the amount you drain. Good Luck.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Traveling after a mommy makeover

Dear Jennifer6177, I ask my patients to not schedule any trips up to 3 weeks after any procedures under general anesthesia, wither by car or plane, if they can. If any problems or concerns arise, then they can be seen right away the same day in the office. there is the ever problem of DVTs ( blood clots in the legs ) if sitting for a prolonged period of time with pressure garments too. ( 4 hours in a car is long after surgery without stretching, walking ) and not even... more

Florence Mussat, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Mommy Makeover and Car Trip?

Thank you for the question. Assuming that your recovery is progressing without complications, you should be able travel 17 days after your mommy makeover operations. You may want to take frequent “walking breaks” to move the lower extremities. Of course, always best to check with your operating surgeon. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Recovery from Mommy Makeover

17 days post op, you should be okay for travel, but you should consult with your surgeon for details. It is very important after any surgery to ambulate frequently while traveling. I suggest getting up and walking around at least every hour if seated in a car or plane. This means no sleeping pills on the plane or car if you are traveling after surgery. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Travel after mommy makeover

Thanks for your question! It is always best to ask your treating surgeon these types of post-op questions. In our San Francisco area practice Mommy Makeovers are a common group of surgeries we perform. Usually two to three weeks is enough time for what you're describing but post-op recovery can be variable and should be tailored by your surgeon for your particular needs. The big concern for long distance travel in the immediate (first few days post-op) is the... more