How long after having a TT can I go on Vacation?

Question

I am planning to go on Vacation in February for my 40th Birthday, not sure when i should try and schedule my TT surgery? Is November to close?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lynxmama,if there are no complications, you should be able to go on your planned vacation in February. If you are considering a surgery, it would be the nest to check it with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. Generally, most patients can fly within 2 to 4 weeks after Tummy Tuck surgery. However, car or airplane travel should be avoided to prevent the risk of blood clots in the legs. I wish you all the best.

Natalie Ngan, FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure and your body needs adequate time to heal afterward to achieve an optimal result. I advise my patients that they should expect to be off work for 3 - 4 weeks depending on their job. Recovery is usually 6 weeks and then patients can return to all activities, but it may take up to three months to feel that you have completely recovered. That being said, I think a November surgery would give you plenty of time to heal before your holiday. Your best option is to choose a specialist plastic surgeon (if you haven’t already) and follow their postoperative advice, as they will be familiar with your specific procedure and case. Good luck!

Michael J. Weinberg, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question.The recovery from this operation can be significant and varies for each person. Traveling can be quite hectic and often involves carrying bags i.e. lifting.I think that the minimum average time for this would be 8 weeks and the safe time would be a about three months.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Glad to see you are planning ahead. If you have vacation in February, then I would advise you to give yourself a full 3 months before that to fully recover. So, November may be reasonable. Discuss the timing with your surgeon.Best of luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your plan seems very reasonable. Some general thoughts: The recovery experience will vary from one patient to another but, generally speaking, the recovery experience associated with tummy tuck or mommy makeover surgery is often underestimated by patients. In other words, it is a significant operation associated with a significant recovery, both from the physical (and often) emotional standpoints.
Fluctuating levels of discomfort is quite common and may be related to several factors. I think you have a good understanding: increased discomfort may be related to overdoing activity or may be related to being stationary for too long.  Other factors that may be involved include  inadequate pain control medication levels.
 Ultimately, it will be important that you "listen to your body" and titrate your activity level as well as pain control efforts carefully.   You will need to achieve a balance between gradually increasing activity (I tell my patients it is similar to a "rehabilitation" after any type of trauma) versus overdoing activity and experiencing a setback of some kind.
 Your plastic surgeon should be your best resource when it comes to helping you titrate activity level; in my practice, at this point in your recovery, I would likely suggest that you try to get outdoors (with assistance), even for short periods of time. My patients find a use of a walker very helpful during these early postoperative days.
 It is not unusual for some patients to require several months before they regain preoperative strength/stamina/energy levels.   What I have observed  is that many patients are about 70 to 80% of their energy level at the 4 to 6 weeks post op period and may require 3 to 4 months before they are 100%.   Again, it is not unusual for patients to experience significant emotional "ups and downs" as well.
Best wishes for outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The choice of 3 months following your tummy tuck surgery should be adequate recovery under normal healing circumstances to allow you to go on vacation.

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