Can I Swim 4 Weeks After a Mommy Makeover?

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction.    

Healing after a  #tummytuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. #MummyTummy is a term given to modified tummy tucks which can use liposuction and skin tightening with radiofrequency such Vanquish, Vela3, thermage, thermiRF and others.  The actual fat contouring can be done non-surgically as well with #UltraShape or Cool-Sculpting.As I advise my patients, if your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause any superficial pain. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide our patients with a note stating they are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will not disclose what procedure they have underwent. Therefore, you may have to request a similar note from your surgeon if you are not independently employed. I recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous #activity for six weeks following your surgery. With that said, it may help you plan your return to work accordingly.

As for heavy lifting and other #strenuous #activities, it should be avoided for until you have clearance from your surgeon. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or #discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!  If you have concerns about your healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.

A mommy makeover is a great procedure to counteract the
changes that occur in a women’s body after pregnancy. It can combine breast surgery with body
contouring procedures like tummy tuck and liposuction to create dramatic
changes in your figure. It is a
wonderful way to address numerous problems with just one surgery and one
recovery, but that convenience comes at a cost.
The recuperation from a big surgery just naturally takes longer than it
would be for a single simple surgery.
Expect that you will need to take at least 2wks off of work (depending
on the job) that you will need to restrict your physical activities until you
are heled which is usually at least 4-6 weeks, and as for swimming you will
need to wait until all of your incisions are completely healed up (without any
open spots or any stitches still in) Before you can immerse yourself in water
even in the bath. Swimming in a pool,
lake, or ocean is even riskier due to all of the organisms and bacteria that
are swimming around in there with you!
This is usually at least 6-8 weeks post op or possibly even longer. The consequences of doing that too soon are
that you could develop a serious infection that could result in losing your
implant or even death if it is not treated soon enough. The best advice is not
to try to do things too soon, and keep yourself out of danger.

Your plastic surgeon will give you the best answer in your specific case about swimming  and sex timing. For most of my patients I allow both swimming and sex to begin at 6 weeks post surgery 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.