Four weeks post op and swimming in the lake?

I generally advise patients avoid submerging themselves in water for at least 1 month after their surgery so you may want to wait a couple more days to make it the full month. However, please ask your surgeon as they may have different advice.

If your incision hasn't healed yet then it's not recommended tha you go to the lake due to the bacterias in the water and you could get a infection. You should avoid sun and water at public sites (except purified water).

In general I can see no problem with swimming in the lake four weeks after in abdominoplasty that is uncomplicated. However you should get specific approval from your own plastic surgeon.

Hello! Thank you for your question! On average, a period of approximately 3-4 weeks on average is typical. Submerging in stagnant water, be it bathtubs, jacuzzis, pools, lakes, oceans, etc. can certainly increase your chance for infections. I usually await the incisions to be fully healed prior to allowing for this type of activity. If you do have any wound issues or delayed healing, expect that you will be restricted from doing such things. However, I allow my patients to shower and clean incisions at 3 days postoperative. You should also protect your incision from UV light to optimize the appearance if your incision. Regardless, the answer will vary amongst plastic surgeons and you should discuss this with your surgeon and follow his/her instructions. Best wishes!

I would not go swimming in a lake until otherwise advised by your surgeon. Lake water has bad bacteria that can severely contaminate/infect your incision, mess up your result and possibly endanger your life.

Swimming at 4weeks post-op should be ok as long as your incisions are 100% closed. I would check with your plastic surgeon before you leave to be sure. Have fun!

If your incision is completely healed then swimming in a lake should be okay.  I would ask your surgeon first.  I am always cautious about lakes and community swimming pools.  No since in jeopardizing your great result with an invasive bacterial infection.  

Always best to run these types questions by your plastic surgeon who knows your situation best and is alternately responsible for your care. Personally, I would ask that you stay away from potentially unclean water;  I would not want this water to get under the steri strips/tape. Have fun but avoid setbacks! Best wishes.

If your incisions are all healed and you have no areas that remain open or problematic it should be ok to go to the lake.  I usually tell my patients to use paper tape on all incisions (belly button does do tape well) for 2 months post op.  It is wise to change the paper tape at least twice a week and leave it off for 12-24 hours before taping again.  This allows those little scabs and scaly skin to wash off.  You might want to kiip your swimming to a minimum if you want to be cautious.  Just jump in to cool off and get out.  Should be fine to float around on a raft and such.  Have fun and enjoy your new body.  And KEEP SCARS COVERED!!

Greetings,Swimming in places where the water is not clean is risky with any open or incompletely healed surgical scar. Your wound healing status is best determined by your plastic surgeon's evaluation.   Specifically ask for approval for lake swimming. The other issue is damage or injury to your healing surgical site(s).  Be sure you ask for the restrictions recommended by your surgeon for post-operative activities such as swimming. Traumatic activities like water skiing should not be part of your lake visit this early after surgery.Best Regards,