Post-Surgery Infrared Sauna?

[xtielynn 12]

Hi there!

So leading up to surgery, I got hooked on weekly trips to a local infrared sauna. I really enjoy it as a peaceful time to relax and maybe even reap some health/physical benefits.

I paused my membership before surgery to focus on bigger things, but my membership resumes on 5/10, which will be 20 days out from my VSG. My incisions look good; surgical glue has completely flaked off of one!

Anyway! How soon do you think is too soon to get back into the sauna? Anyone else frequent infrared saunas??? I really want to get back but I don’t want to do any damage.

(I have asked my doctor before and he said he doesn’t know much about them. I’ve been cleared to go to the gym, swim, and be generally non-strenuously active)

[lizonaplane 1,605]

I had to look this up because I'd never heard of it. The problem is, you're going to sweat, which is going to lead to dehydration, big time! You can't drink easily right after surgery, and it's very easy to get dehydrated even if you're just sitting around at home. It's the number 1 cause for re-admission after bariatric surgery. I would be very wary of doing this until I was SURE I was getting plenty of liquids in.

[I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ 800]

I'm not familiar with infrared saunas, but I do know regular saunas can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance and lower your blood pressure. So I'd be cautious of going to a sauna this close to your surgery date.

Edited May 6, 2022 by BypassingMyPhatAss♡

[ShoppGirl 3,397]

I agree I would wait until I was getting in an excess of 64 ounces of fluids.

[xtielynn 12]

Thanks, y’all! Very good point about the water! I’ll probably hold off until my 6 weeks post are up - just to be on the safe side.