Does sun exposure affect my recovery negatively?

Dear Lynn,   I would like you to reconsider going to Miami for what ever surgery you desire, because , Washington metropolitan area has excellent  experienced board certified plastic surgeons surgeons who can satisfy all your needs. It is much better for your after care, to do it locally, especially if you have any wound problems or complications.  If you are doing it for cost reasons, you have to realize that even though cost of surgery is important, quality of surgeon is more so, because , if you will require corrective surgery, the cost and recovery time will more than double up !    There is nothing in Miami, from the surgery stand point, that can not be done in the Washington metropolitan area. Buyer beware !   As far as sun exposure after surgery, you have to understand that the skin reaction to sun damage is not normal for 2-3 months and you can get severe burn if you are not careful. So, avoid direct sun exposure in the surgery areas and cover it well.                                Best of luck,                                                 Dr Widder

I am unsure what procedure you are having, but in general terms it is not a good idea to get sun on any fresh scars.  In addition, if you are sitting around sweating in the sun you increase the chances of infection at the surgery site(s).  If you can rest in a cool place with the incisions well covered that would be fine.   If this is a tummy tuck you also need to be careful about damaging the healing "flap" that would normally be created as part of the procedure as it is frail and susceptible to damage from the heat of the sun.  Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your question.  You need to stay out of the sun while your recovering because this could negatively affect your incisions from healing.