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Can I Swim 4 Weeks After a Mommy Makeover?

asked 2 years ago by 7315anon in Mountain West
Latest answer by Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
Question viewed 1,108 times
Tags: exercise

Mommy makeover planned for Apr 29th and trip to Mexico one month later. Will I be able to swim (or at least get in the water) by then?

20 answers to Can I Swim 4 Weeks After a Mommy Makeover?

+3

Swimming 4 weeks after a Mommy Makeover

A Mommy Make-Over is an umbrella term describing a group of operations performed to reverse the damages to a woman's body by pregnancy(ies). It encompasses any of a combination of Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation with or without a lift, among others. As regards the 4 week recovery deadline, I think you may be shaving it too close. Such a target deadline is possible but far from assured and would depend on a smooth recovery free of potential complications. Six to 8 weeks would be... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mommy makeover recovery

Yes.  You will be able to swim and wear a bikini.  However, scars may not mature at one month postoperatively. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Water activities and swimming after mommy makeover

Generally by 4 weeks after mommy makeover surgery, all incisions are healed and you should be able to get into the water. Your breasts and especially abdomen may feel tight, however. I, therefore, recommend swimming at a very slow pace and do not push yourself if you feel uncomfortable. Most importantly, however, is to avoid any sun exposure to your surgery areas. It will take at least 6-12 months for the blood supply to your abdomen to return to normal. Therefore, even a minor sun burn... more
Michael A. Jazayeri, MD

Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
+2

Swimming after a Mommy Makeover

Hi there- When it is most appropriate to resume physical activity like swimming will depend on the details of your Mommy Makeover and your surgeon's preferred techniques... Generally speaking, if you are having a tummy tuck with muscle tightening, I would not want you swimming for 6 weeks after surgery. Your best bet, however, is to discuss this with your surgeon- they are the only one who will have the complete understanding of the procedure you will have necessary to completely answer your que more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+2

Cutting it close for sun drenched pool vacation one month after mommy makeover

IT is possible that you will be able to get in the water but it depends on the extent of the procedures performed and an uneventful recovery. In any case it will be close and you should be avoiding sun exposure. It may be truly difficult to enjoy that vacation.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can I Swim 4 Weeks After a Mommy Makeover?

In general recovery from surgery takes six weeks. If you are healing well and have not had any complications you should  be able to do a little swimming at four weeks after your surgery, but this has to be individualized for each patient. You will certainly not have all of your stamina back at four weeks and you should therefore keep this in mind for safety.
Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.drvitenas.com

+1

Swimming After Mommy Makeover

If your mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck, most plastic surgeons will recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 5-6 weeks after your procedure.  If your incisions are healing very well, then at four weeks you will likely be cleared to get into the pool.  But no swimming.  Talk to your plastic surgeon.  Have fun on your trip.
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Swim a month after mommy makeover surgery

Yes, barring wound complications, you should be able to go in the water and swim a month after mommy makeover surgery. However, your scars may become irritated or even sun burned leading to a prolongation of the period for scar maturity.  So Ideally, you should protect your scars from the sun. Additionally,  you should avoid activities that may stress the operative site.  For example, playing golf or tennis requires that you tighten your abdominal muscles... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

+1

Swimming after a Mommy Makeover

Assuming you don't have any wound-healing complications, you should be able to swim 4 weeks after your surgery.  I'm also assuming you're not planning a strenuous swim race or anything like that--I'm assuming you want to float around the pool or stand in the ocean a paddle a bit.  If you want to do anything more strenuous, I would wait the full 6 weeks after surgery.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming after surgery

If you are completely healed and not having any wound issues, you probably can do light swimming at 4 weeks.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming after a Mommy Makeover

A Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to address post-pregnancy issues of the breasts, fat excess, and the tummy.  Your recovery will depend upon many things, including what you actually have done.  At four weeks, assuming all your incisions are healed, you should be able to get into the water.  However, you probably will not be able to do much swimming, as lack of stamina and tight skin and muscles may limit your activity.  If you have any issues with... more
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming after a mommy makeover

After mommy makeover we routinely recommend that a patient quickly return to the gentle aerobic exercise such as walking. For more aggressive exercise such as running, swimming, or lifting weights, we ask our patients to do this at least six weeks after their surgery. This makes sure that their healing process has advanced to a stage where these activities may not injure their results
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming after a tummy tuck procedure

Depending on the severity and complexity of the case, patient's incisions are healed by 4 weeks post-op tummy tuck surgery and they are able to stand straight. You are required to stay hunched over for atleast 4 weeks to prevent any superficial openings. As long as their are no complications during the healing process, you may be able to get in the water. Strenuous activity is recommended after at least 6-8 weeks of healing. The only set back i could imagine, is soaking the incision for... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Swimming after a mommy makeover

I allow my patients to undergo any type of sports activity, swimming included, three weeks after almost any surgical prpocedure. At that point, exercise is healthy and the risko f a complication is close to zero.
Howard T. Bellin, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mommy makeover and activity

The surgical extent and tissue involved for a "mommy makeover" varies person to person.  The incisions will be closed and the presence of water  on them is not issue.  The amount of abdominal muscle work required will be th limiting factor.  Once necessary surgery is determined resuming activity can them be determined.
Rodger Wade Pielet, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Exercise after mommy make-over

After major surgery you need time to heal. as for sternoous activity you can when your body can tolerate it and when GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT BY YOUR SURGEON. If you are in pain and you are in deep water, you may be in trouble.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming after mommy makeover

Regarding swimming after a mommy make-over. If all your incisions are well healed, you should be able to go swimming. If you are uncomfortable or experience pain, then wait two weeks. Let your comfort level be your guide.
Fred Suess, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swimming 4 weeks after a Mommy Makeover

 This is a question ONLY for your surgeon. What I recommend means nothing since I'm not your operating surgeon. Please ALWAYS follow the advise of the operating surgeon. As for me 4 weeks is OK but be careful. From MIAMI
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mommy makeover recovery

Depending on what is being done in your mommy makeover, it might be possible to swim at one month. If there is a tummy tuck involved though, this is cutting it very close. 6 weeks would have been better. Good luck.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.randcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Recovery time after mommy makeover before swimming

The mommy makeover typically includes a tummy tuck and breast surgery, and the tummy tuck usually invloves some suturing to the muscle layer which is very similar to a hernia repair. We usually recommend 6 weeks before strenuous activity or lifting, but if everything goes well you should be able to get in a pool without being too active. A related issue is the travel, which might be more of a concern. If you had any way to move the surgery 2 weeks earlier, you might be better off. more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

baxterplasticsurgery.com

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