Travel during recovery - does a six hour drive cause any risk to results?

Question

I am about 6 hours away from my surgeon. I will be driving down for the surgery, and plan on staying local for about 4-5 days, then driving back home to continue recovery as long as I am stable without complications. I will drive back to the office for an 11-day post op follow up, staying one day, then driving back home. Will this be doable after a tummy tuck and breast lift? To clarify, I'm not actually the one driving, my husband will be driving the vehicle both ways. I am a NP, my sister is an ICU RN and will be taking care of me. I am aware of post-op risks, I am concerned about messing up my tummy tuck or breast lift, or even the discomfort, riding in a car for 6 hours.

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

A six-hour drive as a passenger after a tummy tuck and breast lift is generally doable if you are stable and cleared by your surgeon, but it does require planning. The main concerns are not “messing up” the surgical results from sitting in a car, but rather swelling, discomfort, and blood clot risk (DVT). At 4–5 days post-op, you will still be sore and slightly hunched from the tummy tuck, so sitting fully upright may feel tight; reclining the seat slightly and placing a pillow behind your back and under your knees helps reduce tension on the abdomen. It is very important to stop every 60–90 minutes to get out, walk slowly for several minutes, and keep circulation moving. Stay well hydrated and follow any compression garment and medication instructions exactly. A car ride will not damage your breast lift or tummy tuck if you are not straining, lifting, or twisting, but expect it to be uncomfortable rather than easy. Driving again at day 11 for follow-up is typically much more tolerable. Since you are medically knowledgeable and will have strong nursing support at home, this plan is reasonable &mdash; just coordinate timing and clearance closely with your surgeon and prioritize movement during the trip.

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

Your plan to travel for surgery is certainly reasonable, but I would encourage to make sure you are staying hydrated and ambulating after surgery. Of all of the procedures that plastic surgeons perform, tummy tucks have the highest risks of causing a blood clot (DVT), which could obviously have terrible complications. To reduce that risk intra-operatively, surgeons will typically employ TED/SCDs and then post-operatively have patients administer some anticoagulant agent as prophylaxis. Beyond that, it is imperative that patients stay hydrated and ambulate often to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery. As the number of days from surgery pass by, the risk of developing a blood clot get lower, but another risk factor for developing a blood clot after surgery is immobility (e.g. long flights or car trips). If you are going to travel by car after surgery, I would encourage you to stop once an hours and walk for a few minutes. By walking, the flexing and relaxing of your legs muscle help prevent blood from pooling your legs and thereby reduce the risk of getting a blood clot.

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

@jcrooks2389 Great Question! This car ride should be manageable but you will likely need help getting into and out of the car for the first week. Additionally, I would recommend taking a break and walking around at least 2-3x (if not more) per each 6 hour car ride to decrease the risk of a blood clot forming. 
Last note, I recommend communicating travel plans with your surgeon. They may have specific tips/tricks to help you

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It sounds as if you are taking necessary precautions to safely travel for your procedure and follow ups. You will want to bring multiple pillows for your comfort.  The most comfortable position will be semi reclined.  You will want to take a few breaks along the way.  Depending on your situation your surgeon may suggest compression hose during travel or even medication to prevent blood clots.  Be sure to take your pain medication as prescribed to help with discomfort.

Travel during recovery - does a six hour drive cause any risk to results?

Answers (4)

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