Recovery question for abdominoplasty

Hi everyone,

The Employee Activity Committee at work is offering tickets to Cirque du Soleil at a ridiculously awesome price. I LOVE their shows and would love to go to this. Thing is...it's 3 weeks and 2 days after my upcoming extended abdominoplasty. The show would involve a 40-minute drive to the show, walking from the parking lot, sitting during the show, standing in line for the rest room during intermission, then walking back to the car and another 40-minute ride home. In your experience, is that going to be too much too soon?

Thank you!

Depends. I couldn't have done it comfortably,but it's going to depend on how you heal and how much muscle repair you have done. You'll be up and around for sure, but the drive and show may be more than you can take. 

It might be OK if you heal ridiculously fast and well. I seem to be blessed with bionic healing powers but I think at three weeks it would have been too close for me. It might be doable if someone drives you. If you are driving it would definitely be tiring.

It is the hardest thing have ever experienced in my life so far, 2 caesarean, 2 weight loss surgeries and I am a tough girl.

OMG! I'm 3 days post op and by far the most painful surgery thus far

Thanks everyone. Based on what you've said and my own experience with abdominal surgery (2 c-sections, open hysterectomy with left tube/ovary removed, then a year later another open (with vertical incision this time--ouchie!) for the right tube/ovary and appendix), VSG, cholesystectomy...geez) I think I'll sit this one out. Literally, hahaha. The show is in town for several weeks so I might aim for end of June/beginning of July instead. My birthday is early July so maybe I'll make it a "to me from me, I survived abdominoplasty" present. ;)

Hell yes. way too much. I'm just saying.

Most of my patients, as I am sure you are, are very well-motivated and by that time in most cases you should be able to do what you describe. I encourage, and even require, that my patients get up and walk the next day after surgery to limit potential problems.

Thank you, Dr. Domanskis. You are correct--I am very motivated. But I am also very familiar with healing from abdominal surgery. I'm fine with getting up and walking as soon as possible, and then keeping mobile, but I'm also aware that it is possible to overdo. And I would not want to be stuck in downtown Boston when I realize I've overdone and there's no relief until I can get home. I am signed up to run the Spartan Fenway in November. As soon as I'm cleared for training and exercise, I'll be getting ready for that, which is more important to me than going to the Cirque show (although that is a big temptation--I know how awesome Cirque shows are, but I also know how tough healing from abdominal surgery can be), and I would rather leave the tickets for someone else at work who is fully able to go and appreciate the show than to risk getting the tickets and then not feeling up to going myself. Getting up the day after surgery is awful, but it really is so important...I would rather miss Cirque this year and do what I need to do to heal properly than risk taxing myself before I'm truly ready. If the majority of my fellow abdominoplasty patients feel that 3 weeks is too soon, then I am going to go with what they say. They have been through what I am facing and I trust their judgment. As soon as I am feeling able and have been cleared by my physicians...look out world! :)

I agree. It is always better to judge more conservatively the recovery though from a healing standpoint, by then, it would be unlikely you would cause any harm.