Traveling for an Overnight Wine/dinner Party 5 Weeks Post Op Tummy Tuck? I Would Have to Drive the Four Hours There and Back

Thank you for your question. If all goes well and your recovery is uneventful, there is a good chance you can attend.  You will likely have some residual swelling and discomfort that may make a long drive uncomfortable.  Consider riding with a friend to be on a safe side so that you can enjoy the festivities.  All the best.

Although there is no guarantee, you will most likely be able to attend the party without any problem. At five weeks post op tummy tuck, you will almost certainly be able to travel four hours by car. It would however, be a good idea to take a car break every few hours, get out of the car and walk around a bit to ensure good circulation in your legs and avoid vein clots.

You should be able to go on the this trip and feel fairly good 5 weeks after a tummy tuck.  After 21 days, you should be mostly outside the danger zone for a blood clot, however, I would stop every two hours on your drive and walk for 5 or 10 minutes just to be sure and to keep your circulation going.  You should be able to do most activities, but it would still be too early for exercise or heavy lifting.

Best regards,

Dr. Lane Smith 

Your surgeon will give you guidelines concerning travel. I typically do not recommend travel of long durations in the early recovery period (1-2.5 weeks) because the immobility of the long trip combined with your general decreased overall mobility during the early recovery period increases your risk for a DVT (blood clot).  This a very serious complication and prevention is the key.  If your recovery is uneventful, five weeks after the surgery will be fine but again your surgeon has the last word on this.

Enjoy your trip. Santa Barbara is wonderful!!

Dr. ES

After a Tummy Tuck, most patients are back at their normal activities before five weeks post-op. As long as you are not carrying your sister-in-law, you should be in good shape. Best person to ask is your plastic surgeon. They have much more information to go on, and can better personalize their response to your specific situation. Be safe.