Swimming, Jacuzzi After Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift Surgery?

Unless there is a complication with healing, the incisions are water-tight by 48 hours.  At this point, there is no risk of incisional infection from a hot tub or pool.  However, after a tummy tuck and breast lift procedure I prefer to leave surgical tape in place for 3 weeks and ask my patients not to soak the incisions until these have been removed.

Check with your chosen surgeon on their own preferences and follow their guidlines.

This is something you should clear with your surgeon, because it will depend on how the incisions were closed and what his or her preferences are. Definitely do not do it if you are instructed to wear compression garments and/or have tapes on.

Generally my patients will have wound dressings in place until 3 weeks post op. To reduce the risk of infection I advise my patients to wait at least 4 weeks before submerging the incisions into water.  It is best to check with your plastic surgeon and follow their advice. 

Healing after a  #MommyMakeover 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. 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.

Thank you for your question.  As you can see from the many responses that your question has received, there is no one answer or universal rule regarding swimming and jacuzzi's post-operatively.  Each surgeon has their own specific philosophy and post-op protocols/restrictions, so it would be advisable that you follow up with your operating surgeon and follow their recommendation.  In my practice, I request that patients refrain from all exercising, swimming included, for at least 4 weeks after surgery.  I also ask that patients avoid submerging their incisions in swimming pools and jacuzzi's for at least 4-6 weeks to avoid the possibility of any post-op complication such as infection from contaminants, thermal burns and increased swelling from the warm/hot water.  I hope you find this helpful.

In general, you would want all wounds to be completely healed and sealed before any swimming or jacuzzi. Check with your surgeon postoperatively. Best of luck.