Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

Swimming at Beach or Pool After a Tummy Tuck

How Long after a tummy tuck can you swim at beach or pool. I am sure the incision will have to be healed completly but just wondering. Can you go to the beach and just not swim? I have my TT scheduled for 6/27 and i live 10 minutes from the beach.

Tags:

swimming

Comment on this

26 Doctor Answers | Asked by tt2012 in New Jersey

Doctor Answers (26)
Community Comments (0)

Swimming After Tummy Tuck

Swimming after surgery should generally be avoided until all the wounds are healed. This usually means three to four weeks after surgery. It's Ok to shower during this time but we don't want your incisions under water until all the incisions have closed completely. It's Ok to go to the beach during this time but not under water. We also ask patients not use hot tubs or saunas two weeks before and after surgery. Sometimes saunas and hot tubs have bacteria which, if they get on... more

When can use women after tummy tuck?

Swimming or getting wet after surgery is something that you will have to discuss with your plastic surgeon. Each plastic surgeon will have a slightly different postoperative regimen. While the incision itself in tummy tuck is usually water sealed in about 48 hours most surgeons, if they use a drain would not let you swim until the train comes out. The incision is only part of the story. In tummy tuck a skin that has been elevated from the abdominal wall and... more

Tummy tuck, recovery, exercise, swimming

After a tummy tuck, how soon you go to the beach depends on your surgeon's post op regimen and how much activity you plan to do while sitting at the beach. New incisions should never be placed in the sun for at least 90 days. They are unable to handle UV light and can get red and swollen. As for swimming, it depends on sutures used (technique) and level of activity in the water. A safe rule of thumb is try gentle activity at 4 weeks and progress to very active... more

How long to swim after a tummy tuck?

I agree with the other surgeons. As I no longer use drains and I dress the wounds with dermabond, the wounds are essentially water tight. In these cases I am comfortable to allow my pateints to immerse in still water (properly chlorinated pool, bath) after 2 weeks. I would not recommend sea water til at least three weeks.

Swimming after tummy tuck

Follow your surgeon's advice. There are several elements to consider; Getting into calm water probably OK about two to three weeks after procedure when drains are out and skin healed. Getting into ocean waves and swimming for exercise involves much more movement of musculofascial anatomy that has been rearranged, and therefore, should heal at the structural level before applying stress. This means collagen deposition and fibroplasia, which occurs over months. My... more

Swimming after tummy tuck/abdominoplasty

If you want to take a dip in a chlorinated pool, all drains must be out and the incisions well healed. For the ocean, probably best not to venture into the water for 4-6 weeks. Why? I treat tummy tuck patients like hernia repair patients (if they have muscle repair). If you slip or twist too much/too fast you may disrupt the muscle repair and get an unsightly bulge. All swimming puts you around slippery surfaces, so be careful. ALSO, the skin on the abdomen is frail and more... more

Swimming after tummy tuck

Swimming is strenuous activity. I do not recommend any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 5-6 weeks after a tummy tuck. Please talk to your PS about his/her recommendations.

Swimming after a tummy tuck

Hello, How long after a tummy tuck you can go swimming will depend on the type of tummy tuck and on your recovery. If all goes well in terms of healing, most patients can start swimming at 4 weeks or later. Most of the reason for this is the need to wear a compression garment for about 4 weeks. If you heal uneventfully you may feel comfortable swimming lightly at around 4 weeks but for most patients this would still be pushing it. All the best, Dr... more

Swimming after Tummy Tuck?

You will find that your operating plastic surgeon will advise you regarding specific activities depending on how you are progressing after surgery. Best to follow his/her advice as opposed to online consultants'. Best wishes with your upcoming surgery.

You can swim two weeks after a tummy tuck depending on how well you feel.

I tell my patients they can go to the beach one week after and they can swim two weeks after a tummy tuck as long as the incision is completely healed. This depends on how well you feel, listen to your body if you feel strong enough and well enough you need to use your best judgment. This will vary from patient to patient.

Don't rush to swim too soon after tummy tuck

Thank you for your question. As long as you are healing normally and do not have any open wounds, most plastic surgeons would let you go to the beach in 4-6 weeks. Ask you plastic surgeon what his or her specific instructions are. Swimming for prolonged periods of time after surgery are probably not recommended.

Swimming

Typically, a patient will need 4 weeks before swimming, but this time frame can change on a case by case basis. Patients can go to the beach before then but should prevent ocean water from going anywhere near the incisions and sun exposure should be limited.

Going to beach after abdominoplasty surgery

Hi Rosalita, Sure you can go to the beach after your TT surgery, just not let the ocean water get anywhere near your incision until it is completely healed. By this I mean no gaps, scabs, or drainage of any kind. Ocean water contains extremely harmful bacteria that can actually cause the dreaded 'flesh eating bacteria', so please be careful. Of course, always check with your PS to make certain your wound has healed enough to go dipping in any sort of body of water. Take... more

Swimming/Beach Time Post Tummy-Tuck

"Some things you have to consider after having a tummy tuck are scarring, healing of the incision and healing of the muscles in your abdomen. Keep in mind that sun exposure while the scar is healing (even under a bathing suit) can darken the appearance of the scar, so it's important to keep sunscreen on the area under your swimsuit. Generally we recommend waiting about four weeks post-op to soak or bathe in water. Your stitches will generally be removed around two... more

Wait four weeks to go to beach after tummy tuck

Typically I tell my patients to allow 4 weeks of healing before bathing, swimming, or going to the beach. Everyone heals at different rates and there are some patients that may heal more slowly and possible require more time, but this is rare. If there was some breakdown areas (which sometimes happens with a tummy tuck) than that would be another reason it may take more than four weeks. I hope this helps! Sincerely, James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S... more

Swimming an abdominoplasty

It should not be a problem going to the beach if you do not swim. As far as swimming it would depend on what was done at surgery.

Two and a half weeks weeks minimum to soak in a pool / ocean

Thanks for the question Rosalita, You can shower as early as 3 days post op. I recommend no bathing / soaking of the abdomen until the suture ends have been removed at 2 to 2.5 weeks. If there is any remaining small scabs on the incision - then you can't soak until those have been healed for 2 days. If you were walking in a smooth bottomed pool and there was no risk of getting pushed - you could soak at 2.5 weeks. In the ocean, where they may be waves and... more

Scott Barr, MD

3 reviews

Sudbury Plastic Surgeon

Swimming and any other physical activity should be limited

It is OK to get wet after your wounds have fully healed, but swimming and any other physical activity should be restricted after a tummy tuck. IF you have muscle tightening done, you should be wearing your abdominal binder and avoid any activity which flexes/uses your abdominal muscles for at least 6 weeks. That being said, it would be OK to just hang out on the beach, and perhaps just float / play in the water once your wounds are fully closed (check with your surgeon first).... more

Swimming after Tummy Tuck?

I would tell you that best case scenario, you will be able to swim 2-3 weeks after your TT, if liposuction is being performed also our you have bruising from your TT I would wait to expose your skin to the sun, I would also avoid sun on your scar for approximately 1 year.

Swimming after tummy tuck

Hi POst opertive instruction in regard TT and swimmimgas follows: wound should close and heal and that not earleir than 2 weeks, and the wound should be inspected by professional and confirmed the healing muscle tightening: no active work till 6 weeks, so not to tear the repair. the wound discloration from the sun sun screen ha to be worn all the time apply every two weeks in the wound healed already.

Swimming after tummy tuck

I would imagine that your operating surgeon, if he or she, is in fact, Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, and they have more than 7-10 years of experience, should be able to give you a very clear and concise post-operative protocol for swimming and/ or sun exposure after a tummy tuck. Given that there may be multiple opinions from a variety of surgeons regarding this issue, it is best to follow the specific instructions given to you by your operating surgeon. more

Tummy tuck and Swimming

Barring complications, you can return to the beach for tanning in two weeks, providing you protect the incision from direct sun exposures. Light swimming could be resumed in four weeks and you will not have any restrictions in physical activities in six weeks.

Swimming after Tummy Tuck

First, I would not want you to be in the sand while you have fresh bandages or drains. Usually the drains are out after one week. As long as all of the incision lines are healing well and "sealed" I would let you wade into the ocean at three weeks. i wouldn't want you to go all the way in because you might be a little unstable and get pushed over by the waves going in and out.. A pool should be perfectly fine by 3 weeks, though no diving or swimming for exercise for six. Check... more

Swimming after tummy tuck

If all is well healed at 3 weeks I would say ok to go in the water. Very important is to wear sunscreen as the tummy skin will be very sensitive after surgery for about 2 months. Good luck!

How Soon After a Tummy Tuck Before I Can Swim?

While showering is fine shortly after surgery, bathing, hot tubs, and swimming require more time before patients should engage in these activities. It takes two weeks or more before the water resistant layers in the skin of the incision heal enough to ensure protection against effects of soaking. Also, since every patient heals at their own rate and speed, the person who best can advise you when it is safe to return to the water is your plastic surgeon. Even after getting back to... more

Swimming after tummy tuck

An excellent and timely question. In terms of getting into a pool, the drains and sutures must be removed, so that is about two weeks. The same would apply to n. As for actually swimming, I would wait three weeks for the pool. You have to be sensible not to overstrain and certainly not to place yourself in a situation in which you are not physically able to handle strong currents in open waters. Also, if you have an open wound, then the foregoing would not apply and, in such case, you... more