What is the recommended wait time before having intercourse after a tummy tuck?

Your plastic surgeon will give you the best answer in your specific case about this and sex. For most of my patients I allow sex to begin at 6 weeks with the woman on top to minimize the risk of trauma. Here are some fo the guidelines I give my patients: Following surgery, you will be walking in a bent-over position to keep tension off the newly tightened skin incision site. Although strenuous activity, and lifting more than ten pounds, must be avoided for 6 weeks, some people can return to work and daily activities as soon as 2 weeks after surgery. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months to a year or more. Abdominoplasty involves a recovery period of 10 to 14 days longer than most plastic surgical procedures. Initial discomfort and decreased mobility is typical. To decrease this discomfort, we offer a long acting local anesthetic. This numbing injection solution (Exparel) which lasts for 3-4 days allows for an easier recovery and is preferable to older pain pump technology. 3-5 days or more of assistance at home is usually indicated. We can arrange for a nurse to stay with you if helpful.You will be encouraged to move and walk regularly starting the day of surgery. Wearing your TED stockings at all times, except while washing, to prevent venous clots (deep vein thrombosis) is mandatory.Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. No sports or heavy lifting for 6 weeks or more – please discuss with your doctor for specific questions.

Dear mamaags
Thank you for your questions regarding how long you must wait to have intercourse or sex after a tummy tuck. I would suggest you wait at least until the drains are removed before you have sex or intercourse. Drains after a tummy tuck are usually placed for seven to ten days. Drain removal depends not necessarily on the number of days the drains have been in. Also, what the drains have been draining regarding fluid. Therefore, I would wait at least until your drains are removed. If you had a drain-less tummy tuck, I would suggest you wait for at least 7-10 after your tummy tuck before sex. The first time after a tummy tuck, I would suggest you do not exert yourself too much. I would suggest avoiding using your abdominis rectus, or six-pack muscles. If you use these muscles during sex, you will be sore. Also, I would not suggest “rough” sex or intercourse. I hope I have answered your question regarding sex or intercourse after a tummy tuck. When seeking a tummy tuck procedure, please seek an experienced ,board-certified plastic surgeon. If you have any other questions regarding tummy tucks or plastic surgery, call my office. Thank you for your question! Have fun!
Thank you,
Dr. Timothy Katzen

This a delicate question and the answer needs to be handled in a delicate fashion.  The reason for not having sexual intercourse (SI) early after any surgery is because you do not want to raise your blood pressure, and therefore increase your changes of bleeding and getting a hematoma.  No matter what position you and your partner use during SI, your abdominal muscles will come into play and you want to allow for reasonable repair of these muscles before engaging them in SI. 

 

Back and forth shearing movements on your newly repaired abdominal wall could increase the chances of fluid buildup on your abdomen (seroma) which would increase the time of your recovery and also temporarily interfere with further SI.  

 

A safe answer to your question is wait 3 to 4 weeks and let pain or discomfort be your guide.   

Hi, thanks for your question. I generally tell my patients they can resume around 4-6 weeks depending on how their recovery is going. Your surgeon will be the best person to guide you in this decision. Best wishes in your continued recovery,Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

The question about returning to sexual activity after surgery is very common. The level of physical activity one undertakes during sexual activity varies for each individual and often each time you are having sex. However, as a general rule I recommend my patients to abstain from any sexual activity at all for the first two weeks. You want to avoid doing anything that causes you to strain or activate your core muscles. Also, anything that increases your heart rate or blood pressure up too much is not ideal during this early post-operative stage as it could potentially compromise wound healing or cause some bleeding.My general instructions for returning to normal physical activities is to wait until 6 weeks post-op. So given this, after the first 2 weeks and up until up until 6 weeks post op you should be taking on a very passive role during sex. After 6 weeks you can do what you like without any fear that you are going to compromise your results. You will of course still have some residual discomfort so simply be guided by your body and common sense.

Thank you for your question. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition. Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks. Dhaval M. Patel Double board certified Plastic surgeonHoffman Estates BarringtonOakbrook Chicago

That is a great
question that is crucial to the healing process of your abdomen. It is
important to refrain from lifting anything greater than five pounds, using your
abdominal muscles and any physical activity for six weeks. By six weeks most of the
scar tissue has been formed and the repair of your muscles is safe from being
separated. Patients require aid getting in and out of bed and must use
their hands to push themselves off beds or chairs to avoid firing their
abdominal muscles. Most patients do not realize that intercourse is a form of
exercise and requires the use of your abdominal muscles. Firing the abdominal
muscles will tear the internal sutures, thereby compromising results
substantially. I encourage you to stay committed to the process and follow post
operative instructions in order to yield great results. Good luck.Dr Rahban

It is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 months after abdominoplasty. Activity before that time can result in hematoma, seroma, wound failure and other complications.

                  Any
type of strenuous activity including sexual intercourse should be avoided for
at least one month following abdominoplasty.  Strenuous activities can elevate blood pressure and pulse
rates and lead to hemo-dynamic changes.  These changes can result in
post-operative complications such as bleeding and seroma formation.  In addition, physical exertion can
cause stretching and pulling of the soft tissue which can traumatize fresh
surgical wounds that are still healing. 
Under these circumstances, the incidence of wound healing complications
would be expected to increase.

You should probably wait until about 3 or 4 weeks after your tummy tuck before having intercourse however please ask your surgeon for their advice.