Hot Tub After Mommy Makeover? 6 Weeks Post Op.

Question

When Can I Go in the Hot Tub After TT, BA? I Am 6 Weeks Post-op and my Doctor Said I Could Swim, but I Wasn't Sure About Hot Tub

Marie E. Montag, MD · Answer

After a big surgery like you had there definitely is a
period of down time when it just is not safe to return to normal
activities.  In the case of swimming and
hot tubs there are the added concerns about what is in the water and the
temperature.  The key issue for swimming
in general is that all of your incisions need to be completely sealed without
any little openings or stitches poking out in order to avoid infection.  Lake and ocean water are the most notorious
for having undesirable bacteria and contaminants, but even clean pool water or
spa water can harbor nasty inhabitants. 
Since your doctor has said it is ok for you to swim I would assume
he/she feels your wounds are adequately healed to prevent infection risk (and
about 6 weeks is average for that).  The
further concern with a hot tub is the heat of the water.  Most spas are kept at 102-104 which is not
enough to burn regular skin to any significant degree, but if skin has swelling
or an alteration of the blood supply it becomes more susceptible  heat because to blood does not flow through
it as quickly, cooling if from the inside. 
The blood flow does not improve enough to tolerate the heat of a hot tub
until the swelling has had a chance to resolve which is usually between 6-8
wks.  This is also why heating pads are
not recommended on surgical sites.  The
best advice is to closely evaluate your healing and if there is any swelling
left, then hold off on the spa.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Patients are eager to return to normal activity as soon as
possible following surgery.Unfortunately, returning to normal activity too soon can result in an
increased potential for complications.Swimming
and spending time in a Jacuzzi are activities that could potentially have
negative consequences if resumed too soon.Theoretically,
once the skin edges have sealed in about 48 hours following surgery, these
activities can be resumed.In reality,
many patients have drains in place for three weeks or longer.Additionally, small absorbable interrupted
sutures may break through the skin and become exposed.In this situation, infection could occur in a
patient who is submerged in a Jacuzzi, pool, pond or ocean.Each of these environments may have unique
and, in some cases, antibiotic resistant bacteria that could lead to a
significant infection.In
addition, plastic surgeons generally don’t recommend resumption of strenuous
activities for at least six weeks following Mommy Makeover surgery.Watersports and swimming can create
significant strain on the core muscles of the abdomen and should, therefore be
avoided in the immediate post-operative period.It’s
important to remember that every patient’s procedure and post-operative course
is unique.For these reasons, make sure
you consult your plastic surgeon before getting in to the water.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

You should ask your surgeon for their advice as it may be different, however I recommend you wait for at least one month after your surgery. Generally, swimming and hot tubs follow the same guidelines, so if your surgeon said 6 weeks for swimming, then it should be okay for the hot tub as well.

Leonard T. Yu, MD · Answer

I would stress caution about a hot tub this early after tummy tuck...as  one of the doctors has said, the skin of your tummy will not respond normally at this time during the healing process...I have had one patient have a third degree burn in her tummy after sunbathing too early after a tummy tuck (right through her one piece suit!)...patience and you will be able to enjoy things after a few more weeks...

Douglas Leppink, MD · Answer

A hot tub will increase the temperature of your skin, and the way your body responds to this is by increasing blood flow to "wash away" the heat (the same way your face gets red when you get hot). The numbness of the skin after a tummy tuck (due to dividing the nerves to the skin when the skin is elevated) results in your inability to feel the heat. After a TT the  heat accumulates because the blood supply is decreased (also by elevating the skin), but you cannot feel it, and then burns result. We also ask our patients to avoid wearing all black bathing suits for 3 months after a tummy tuck (just like black car seats a black swim suit can accumulate heat). So I would ask my patients to avoid a hot tub for 3 months unless they were very careful!

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