After LASIK in Medellín: Pools, Gyms, Makeup and Other Things to Pause

The rule of thumb: protect the healing surface

Almost every activity restriction after LASIK comes back to one of three worries: something rubbing or pressing on the eye, something dirty or contaminated getting into it, or a blow to the face. Keep those three in mind and most instructions make intuitive sense.

The FDA's patient guidance gives a set of general timeframes after LASIK (FDA, 2018). The page itself notes that its text and graphics differ slightly on some intervals, which is one more reason your surgeon's written instructions are the ones to follow.

PRK and lenticule procedures heal differently from LASIK. If you are having one of them, ask for a procedure-specific list.

What this means on a Medellín trip

The pool and the rooftop hot tub

Many apartments and hotels in El Poblado and Laureles advertise rooftop pools and jacuzzis. With a 1 to 2 month guideline for swimming and hot tubs, a typical LASIK trip of one to two weeks means those amenities are off-limits for your entire stay. Do not pay extra for them. Choose your accommodation for a quiet bedroom, blackout curtains, a reliable elevator and easy taxi access instead.

Showers and hair washing

Showers are not swimming, but water and shampoo running down the face can still get into the eyes. Clinics usually give specific advice for the first days, such as keeping your face out of the stream and washing hair with your head tilted back. Ask yours, and follow it.

Gyms and running

Medellín has plenty of gyms, and the hills of El Poblado and the paths at Parque Lineal invite runners. The FDA's 1 to 3 day window for non-contact exercise is a general guide; heavy lifting, hot yoga and sweaty classes are worth discussing with your surgeon specifically. Bring a clean towel to dab sweat away from your eyes, and avoid wiping across them.

Day trips

Guatapé, Santa Fe de Antioquia, coffee farms and Parque Arví are popular with visitors. Each brings dust, wind, sun, or water. A day trip once you are cleared, with wraparound sunglasses and no eye-rubbing, is a reasonable plan for many people. A day trip the morning after surgery is not. Our guide to light exploration during recovery covers the calmer options.

Makeup, skincare and grooming

For people who wear eye makeup every day, this restriction is often the one that feels biggest. The FDA describes waiting up to 2 weeks for lotions, creams and makeup around the eye, or until your doctor says otherwise. It also advises stopping creams, lotions, makeup and perfume the day before surgery.

• Pack accordingly. If you are on a short trip, you may not wear eye makeup at all while in Medellín. Bring good sunglasses instead.
• Replace, don't reuse. When you are cleared, many surgeons suggest starting with fresh products rather than an old mascara tube.
• Face skincare: ask whether you can use moisturizer or sunscreen on the rest of your face, and how far from the eyes to keep it.
• Lash and brow treatments: postpone extensions, lifts, tints and threading near the eyes until your surgeon clears them. Medellín's salons will still be there on your next visit.

Sleep and the eye shield

The FDA advises wearing an eye shield to prevent rubbing and pressure during sleep while the flap heals. In a new bed, in a new city, possibly in a different time zone, you may sleep more restlessly than usual. That makes the shield more important, not less. Tape and spare shields are worth asking for before you leave the clinic.

Naps count too. If you doze off in a taxi or on a sofa, the shield or your sunglasses should be on.

Screens, reading and work

There is no swimming-style ban on screens, but many patients find their eyes tire quickly in the first days. The FDA suggests planning a few days off work. If you are working remotely from Medellín, plan light days, take frequent breaks, and use lubricating drops as directed. Blink deliberately; people blink less when concentrating on a screen.

Flying and the trip home

Your surgeon decides when you can fly, usually based on how your follow-up exams look. This site covers timing the flight home in detail, so we will only add the activity angle: on the plane, keep drops within reach, avoid sleeping without eye protection, and do not rub your eyes when the cabin air feels dry.

A Medellín recovery packing list

• Wraparound sunglasses, plus a spare pair
• The eye shield and tape from your clinic
• Your prescribed drops, in your carry-on, with the written schedule
• Preservative-free lubricating drops, if your surgeon recommends them
• A clean microfiber cloth and clean tissues
• A sleep mask that does not press on the eyes (check with your surgeon)
• A hat with a brim for midday sun
• Podcasts or audiobooks for the first evening, when screens may be uncomfortable

Things patients often ask about

Can I drink alcohol?

The FDA does not give a general alcohol rule. Ask your surgeon, especially if you have been prescribed sedating medication for surgery day. Alcohol can also leave you more dehydrated, which some people notice as drier eyes.

Can I ride a motorbike taxi?

Wind, dust, and insects hitting the face are good reasons to avoid open-air transport while your eyes heal. Use enclosed taxis or ride-hailing.

What about the Metrocable?

The cable cars are enclosed and generally calm, so many patients find them a gentle outing once cleared to go out. Wear sunglasses; the views are bright.

When in doubt, ask and write it down

The most useful thing you can do is ask your clinic for a written list of activity restrictions with dates, specific to your procedure. Put the dates in your phone calendar: pool day, makeup day, gym day, contact sports day. It turns a vague "be careful" into a plan, and it stops a well-meaning friend at home from talking you into a swim too soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I swim in my hotel pool after LASIK in Medellín?

Not during a typical short trip. FDA guidance says to avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and whirlpools for 1 to 2 months after LASIK, and your surgeon may set a different window. Choose accommodation for comfort and quiet rather than the pool.

When can I go back to the gym after LASIK?

The FDA mentions waiting 1 to 3 days for non-contact sports depending on activity level and your doctor's instructions. Ask your surgeon specifically about heavy lifting, sweating into the eyes, and shared equipment, and wipe sweat away from the eyes rather than toward them.

When can I wear eye makeup after LASIK?

FDA guidance mentions waiting up to 2 weeks for lotions, creams and makeup around the eyes, or until your doctor clears you. When you restart, many surgeons suggest new products rather than old mascara or eyeliner. Follow your clinic's instructions.

Can I take a boat ride at Guatapé after LASIK?

Ask your surgeon. Lake water, spray, wind and dust are all things that clinics commonly ask patients to keep out of healing eyes. If you go once you are cleared, wear wraparound sunglasses and avoid touching your eyes.

Why do I need to wear an eye shield at night?

The FDA advises wearing a shield to prevent rubbing and pressure on the eye during sleep while the flap heals. Most people rub their eyes unconsciously in their sleep. Use the shield for as long as your surgeon tells you.

Can I dance at a salsa club after LASIK?

Dancing is generally a non-contact activity, but clubs can be smoky, crowded and dimly lit, and a stray elbow is a real possibility. Ask your surgeon when it is reasonable, and consider waiting until after your final Medellín follow-up.