Is 2 Weeks After Tummy Tuck Safe Enough to Go on a Cruise?

I hope you can get a refund.
I would not advise any patient to do this. I imagine you might want to go in the pool, get some sun, so some watersports, and peruse the gift shops in the ports. Being two weeks after a full tummy tuck, you will not be sufficiently healed or recovered to allow this without being constantly reminded.
Furthermore, this is if all goes well and if you have a minor problem such as a seroma, I don' t think the ship's doctor will be comfortable managing this problem. IF you develop a more serious problem such as bleeding or a DVT, it will be absolutely forbidden for you to travel,

Thank you for your question. The recovery time is from 4 to 6 moths.I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Hello! This is best discussed with your surgeon and you should certainly have an examination and the go-ahead by your surgeon to travel postoperatively.  Incisions will likely still be healing and your restrictions will likely be enforced for several weeks past that.  In addition, you are still in the relatively close perioperative period for which your surgeon will be watching you closely to assess you.  After any surgical procedure, you should be careful with incisions as well as avoidance of direct UVA and UVB rays in order to lessen the chance for hyperpigmentation of the skin and scars, which can take several months to resolve, if it ever does. Sunblock of 35 or above is recommended regardless. The ability of the affected area to heal has been slowed and you should try to avoid additional swelling to the area. The area will likely be numb for several weeks to months and will be difficult to feel when sunburn is coming on. Typical recommendations include wearing a hat and/or sunblock to the affected area for at least 6-12 weeks following the procedure. It takes up to one year for scars to fully mature. You should also avoid trauma to the area for several months to protect the refinements made during the procedure. Also, avoidance of pools/lakes/jacuzzis/etc for 4-6 weeks is usually recommended to allow adequate healing and protection from stagnant water, that could potentially harbor bacteria. Lifting/exercise restrictions are common for at least 6 weeks. Certainly discuss the postoperative instructions with your surgeon, as thoughts differ among surgeons. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Hi there-
I think a large part of the answer to your question is dependent on what it is you are hoping to do on the cruise... If you don't mind that you won't be able to participate fully (in in some cases at all) in the activities on ship, and will be limited by discomfort with significant walking and stair climbing, then you may be able to go on your cruise....
But the real question is not whether or not you are able, but whether or not it is in your best interests....
First of all, I would be concerned that you won't enjoy the cruise very much, for the reasons outlined above... And if you do try to participate in activities you probably shouldn't, you may damage your outcome and even hurt yourself...
I never want to be the reason someone's vacation is ruined... So if you were my patient I would recommend you go on your cruise, have a great time, and have your tummy tuck when you get back.

Typically, my restriction on postoperative flight is about 4-6 weeks. At the 2 week mark you'll still be somewhat sore. I've not allowed anyone to go out in these types of situations, it's not ideal and those patients that have gotten away with it before went at their own risk.
Here's the risks that are at steak (they definitely aren't advisable and are against everything we've been taught). You won't be able to swim, you won't have a full level of energy and you could even have a wound somewhere or there could be some area that is still painful to you. There's too much at stake and the truth is that you're at more risk of developing a blood clot in your legs. My suggestion is that you skip the trip this time around.
Best Wishes,
DoctorMeade

Although surgical techniques such as progressive tension sutures can speed recovery after a tummy tuck, at 2 weeks you will not be far enough along to travel or to enjoy your cruise. Traveling, especially a long flight, increases the risk of the most serious complication, blot clots embolizing to the lungs (Fortunately this is rare under normal circumstances). I would recommend a minimum of 6 weeks. Perhaps your doctor can give you a medical release to reschedule the cruise.

 I agree with the other surgeons that a tummy tuck requires more than two weeks of recovery for all of the reasons mentioned.   I would advise 4 weeks recovery time at the absolute minimum.  My patients are asked not to drive for three weeks. 
Ricardo L Rodriguez, MD

I don't recommend going on a cruise two weeks after surgery. You may still be quite sore and not have full mobility, so you won't be able to enjoy your cruise. You should wait at least 6 weeks, ideally, before traveling.

Thank you for your post. It depends on how physical you get on cruises. In general, your incisions need to be perfect, all drains removed and the drain site healed perfect, and the muscle repair needs to be mature with no areas of fluid collection. If the incisions are not perfect, or drain site, then you are at risk of infection in pools, hot tubs, oceans/lakes. You don't have to have perfect incisions to shower, just not submerge in bath or the above. However, I ask my patients to wear their abdominal binder non-stop, except for showers, for at least 4 weeks, so unless you want to hang out at the beach with your binder, then no beach. Physical water sports, however is a different story. You should only start doing heavy physical activity at 6 weeks, and then slowly ease into it, not all at once.Best Wishes, Pablo Prichard, MD

I do not think it is a good idea to plan a cruise 2 weeks after your tummy tuck surgery.  I would wait at least 6 weeks before planning a vacation like that.