Swimming after tummy tuck
Typically, a patient will need 4 weeks before swimming, but this time frame can change on a case by case basis.
Patients can go to the beach before then but should prevent ocean water from going anywhere near the incisions and sun exposure should be limited. (Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)
If all is well healed at 3 weeks I would say ok to go in the water. Very important is to wear sunscreen as the tummy skin will be very sensitive after surgery for about 2 months. (Gregory Lynam, MD, Richmond Plastic Surgeon)
Don’t rush to swim too soon after tummy tuck
Swimming after tummy tuck image
As long as you are healing normally and do not have any open wounds, most plastic surgeons would let you go to the beach in 4-6 weeks. Ask you plastic surgeon what his or her specific instructions are. Swimming for prolonged periods of time after surgery are probably not recommended. (J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)
Going to beach after abdominoplasty surgery
Sure you can go to the beach after your tummy tuck surgery, just not let the ocean water get anywhere near your incision until it is completely healed. By this I mean no gaps, scabs, or drainage of any kind. Ocean water contains extremely harmful bacteria that can actually cause the dreaded ‘flesh eating bacteria’, so please be careful.
A swimming after tummy tuck
Of course, always check with your PS to make certain your wound has healed enough to go dipping in any sort of body of water. (Gary M. Horndeski, MD, Texas Plastic Surgeon)
Swimming/Beach Time Post Tummy-Tuck
“Some things you have to consider after having a tummy tuck are scarring, healing of the incision and healing of the muscles in your abdomen. Keep in mind that sun exposure while the scar is healing (even under a bathing suit) can darken the appearance of the scar, so it’s important to keep sunscreen on the area under your swimsuit.
Swimming after tummy tuck surgery
Generally we recommend waiting about four weeks post-op to soak or bathe in water. Your stitches will generally be removed around two weeks after your surgery, but it is a good idea to allow for a little extra healing time after stitch removal to be safe.” (Norman M. Rowe, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Wait four weeks to go to beach after tummy tuck
Typically I tell my patients to allow 4 weeks of healing before bathing, swimming, or going to the beach. Everyone heals at different rates and there are some patients that may heal more slowly and possible require more time, but this is rare. If there was some breakdown areas (which sometimes happens with a tummy tuck) than that would be another reason it may take more than four weeks. (James F. Boynton, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Two and a half weeks weeks minimum to soak in a pool / ocean
Swimming after tummy tuck photo
You can shower as early as 3 days post op. I recommend no bathing / soaking of the abdomen until the suture ends have been removed at 2 to 2.5 weeks. If there is any remaining small scabs on the incision – then you can’t soak until those have been healed for 2 days. If you were walking in a smooth bottomed pool and there was no risk of getting pushed – you could soak at 2.5 weeks. In the ocean, where they may be waves and potentially some uneven drop offs, you have to be careful. The muscle repair that should be part of your abdominoplasty cannot be “stressed” for the first 6 weeks after surgery. I tell patients thay can do fitness swimming (flip turns etc) and unrestricted gym (sit ups etc) starting 6 weeks after surgery.
The swimming after tummy tuck
If you are going to the beach keep sunscreen under your swim suit on your incicion and re-aplly it regularily. The sun will cause hyperpigmentation (permanant darkening) of your scar if you get sun exposure in the first 6 months after your surgery. Remember that your surgeon may want you to wear your support binder for most of the time in the first 3 to 4 weeks – this may limit your bathing suit options. Enjoy you new shape at the beach. (Scott Barr, MD, Sudbury Plastic Surgeon)
Swimming after Tummy Tuck?
I would tell you that best case scenario, you will be able to swim 2-3 weeks after your tummy tuck, if liposuction is being performed also our you have bruising from your TT I would wait to expose your skin to the sun, I would also avoid sun on your scar for approximately 1 year. (Jonathan Weiler, MD, Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon)
I would imagine that your operating surgeon, if he or she, is in fact, Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, and they have more than 7-10 years of experience, should be able to give you a very clear and concise post-operative protocol for swimming and/ or sun exposure after a tummy tuck.
Given that there may be multiple opinions from a variety of surgeons regarding this issue, it is best to follow the specific instructions given to you by your operating surgeon. (Milind K. Ambe, MD, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
