Does driving after a lower body lift widen scars?

Really you will need to be up and around after your body lift anyway and anything that potentially puts tension on the LBL scars can widen them.  But by the time you are able to drive after your surgery, getting in and out of the car should have little effect on the scars.  By that time you will have already been in and out of bed and in and out of potentially chairs or recliners as well.  So you should be fine, just keep in mine that scarring can be unpredictable from person to person.  Best of luck with your surgery!

Thank you for your question regarding whether driving after a lower body lift can widen scars. In the early stages of recovery, activities that involve stretching or placing tension on your incision sites, such as getting in and out of a car, could potentially impact your healing process. Scar widening can happen if too much tension is placed on the healing tissue, especially during the first 6–8 weeks after surgery. However, with proper care and precautions, driving or getting into a car is unlikely to cause significant issues with your scars.

To minimize any risk, it’s crucial to wait until your surgeon has cleared you for driving, which typically happens 2–4 weeks post-op, depending on your healing progress. During this time, you should also be off pain medications that could impair your ability to drive safely. When getting in and out of a car, avoid twisting or stretching the incision areas. Instead, swivel your hips and legs together and use your arms for support to reduce strain on your lower body. Additionally, sitting on a soft cushion can help alleviate pressure on your incision sites while driving or sitting in a car for extended periods.

If you must drive long distances, taking breaks every 30–45 minutes to stand up and stretch lightly can help improve circulation and reduce swelling. Continue to wear your compression garment as directed, as this will provide support to the surgical area and protect the scars during recovery. While careful movements and following your surgeon’s instructions can prevent most complications, it’s always a good idea to discuss any specific concerns about your recovery directly with your plastic surgeon to ensure the best possible results.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

The scar for a lower body lift goes all of the way around the truck, so the position you sit or stand in will put different stresses on the healing tissue. Early after surgery we worry about stitches popping on the back if you bend too much at the waist or hips. We purposely make the skin as tight as possible at the surgery to get the best results, so early on it is important to be very careful not to bend too far over. If stitches do pop obviously the final scar will be worse. The skin naturally stretches relatively rapidly after the surgery so that by ~2 weeks out it is not as tight anymore, and it is safe to bend and be a little more flexible. Driving and getting in and out of the car should be limited in the early days after surgery to prevent too much tension on incisions, and if possible the seat should be adjusted back so you don’t have to sit straight up. Also compact cars where you really have to fold yourself up to get in should be avoided at first (a lower SUV or sedan are ideal). Once the incisions are healed, positioning like that will not have any real influence on the width of your scars!