RE: Running after Tummy tuck?

NewSelfNC 18 Feb 2013

Just wanted to add my experience...I started walking three miles per day around five weeks post op, and around seven weeks post op, tried to add in some running intervals, but it just didn't feel right. I tried again at 11.5 weeks post op with much greater comfort and success! I was able to speed walk and do step aerobics and light weights before I was ready to return to running. I am not a super long distance runner, but I do 5 & 10k races regularly, and run 3-9 miles per day, four times a week. (prior to tummy tuck of course)

Marie24391 18 Feb 2013

That's brilliant I was doing the same before my tummy tuck ... Been today and ran 6.2k but I have been wearing my binder while running I'm a bit scared to run without it although I go to the gym and do weights and spinning and don't wear it then ... Just scared of going for a run without it 12 weeks post tt and lipo and muscle tightening

NewSelfNC 18 Feb 2013

Marie, I am about 13 weeks post op now...I did wear my binder at first for all workouts but I have finally stopped in the last week or two. I forgot it one day and realized I was ok without it. I had lip and muscle repair too...it hurt like the dickens! For a long time!

NewSelfNC 18 Feb 2013

Oops, "lipo" not lip!

NewTummy2013 17 Feb 2013

I am 7 weeks PO and have started walking with hand weights, and light eliptical training, 10 min's at a time. I am considering starting my walk/run pattern tomorrow. I hope it is not too soon. I of course will wear my compression garment.

Marie24391 17 Feb 2013

I'm now 12 weeks post op back into my running and weights just I was before my op but still wear my compression garment when I go for a run .... Also by 7pm I'm so swollen I have to put my binder back on for a couple of hours good luck with your training

Marie24391 29 Dec 2012

hi im 5 weeks post op and really want to go back running but want to make sure its safe do so any advice would helpful Marie

surromom2four 29 Dec 2012

Marie, I had a TT with muscle repair on 1/3/12 and slowly started running (alternating with walking) at about 6 1/2 weeks out. My dr wanted me to wait until 8 weeks but I started back slowly a little sooner. Just make sure you go slow to start and walk when you need to. The more I healed the better my running got, and now I'm totally back to normal and running daily. Good luck! Michelle

Marie24391 29 Dec 2012

Thanks for the advice Michelle think next week when I'm 6 weeks post op I'm going to go on the cross trainer at the gym and build it up from there see how I go I'm just so frustrated x

surromom2four 29 Dec 2012

Trust me, Marie, I know how you feel. The hardest thing for me was to sit around after surgery - I was used to working out daily. But your body needs time to heal, and after all you've just put it through, you don't want to risk screwing something up! You'll get there, just give yourself time.

Marie24391 29 Dec 2012

I think it's because it's been Christmas as well and I have eaten more and usually I just run to get rid of the calories I so scared that I will put a lot of weight on from not doing anything for the last 5 week ....think I need to clear the fridge of all the nice things x thanks again Michelle

Chrisfam4 15 Jun 2012

Yep, I'm 4 weeks today. Incision line hurting yesterday, and I woke up feeling so sore. Impatient! lol, to say the least. Before the surgery, I went from two runs a day and maybe a kick boxing class to nothing...I think the hardest thing is going from so much, which makes you feel on top of the world. Now it's a waiting game. I walk about 4-5 miles now.
How are you getting around now?

Marie24391 29 Dec 2012

HELLO Im just the same im 5 weeks post op and really want to go back running

Sunbum 21 May 2012

Hi Every one, Well I am 3.5 weeks post op TT and WOW, I feel really tight, sore & as if me incision line is burning the past 2 days. It looks fine but hurts horribly. Anyone else have this at 3.5 post op. When will it get to stop hurting as I am getting really impatient, lol. Actuall just looking for hope that it will feel better sometime SOON? & Thanks!

MommieD 16 May 2012

I just took my time and started with a just holding my core while working out. And as my confidence grew so did my desire to do more. Now don't get me wrong it did not feel like it use to so I wore my garment when i worked out as well. With the holding my stomach in place it helped out a lot. You have to do what is best for YOUR body and only when you are ready. I admit that today was hard and I did not do all the reps as everyone else but I getting there. Again I work out in a waste cincher to help keep it all in place.

lizinohio 16 May 2012

Hi mommie D that is awesome you are doing so great! After your post I decided to go over and try a few sit ups. Didn't feel so good but I think with practice it will get better. My doctor really didn't give me a time restraint on doing sit ups so I was just going to wait the most conservative amount of time I have seen, 6 months, just to be safe. When I do a crunch I feel like I have lost all of my muscle strength I had before surgery and I feel like my stomach is ripping in half. Did yours feel that way and if so when did that feeling go away? Also I lift weights and pull downs still hurt my stomach and so do tri cep pull downs. I never even knew I used my stomach for those. It seems to be any weight lifting with the push down motion. I should just try my classes again soon, you give me hope!

lizinohio 11 May 2012

Keep your head up! It takes time for sure. I am 5 1/2 months out and I am seeing a huge improvement. Everyone is different and it can take up to a year for final results. My muscle repair area is still sensitive no way can I do a sit up yet, or maybe I am just to scared to ;-) the area around my belly button seemed more swollen but it is going down now too. I think it was just scar tissue that is now softening and flattening out. Be patient, believe me I know it is hard. 2 weeks post op isn't long after surgery and this is a big one. Keep your head up!!;-)

MommieD 16 May 2012

Liz my surgery was in Jan and I was very nervous about returning to bootcamp and all the insanity around it. It has taken some time but I am almost back to the same level I was before tt. Today we did 15mins of ab work. I do believe I might have overdone it but I am fine. I am still swollen in the lower ab but everyday it is getting better. And as that swelling comes down I am hoping to see nothing but muscle come through

Sunbum 11 May 2012

Thanks runrmom, & mommyd... I appreciate the kind words & encouragement! ; )

MommieD 11 May 2012

Just give yourself time. I am running much faster as well since the tt. I also agree that you can have some swelling afterward but if you look at the big picture... i still look better now than ever. And now I get to practice in a tight shirt with shorts. I dont worry about my inner thighs or my belly. Its a great feeling but you have to give it time. And btw I am a little over 5 months out.

Sunbum 10 May 2012

Thank you surromom2four... much appreciated, as I guess I am just having a bit of depression right now 2 weeks post op. I look forward to healing fast & starting to get moving better. Thanks again for the HOPE! ; )

lindytri23 10 May 2012

I have been busy this week, three weeks after my revision to add 3" to each end of the incision. I ran 14 mi slow Sun, Swim and kettlebells and 5 mi trail run Mon, Spin and repeats Tue, swim kettlebells and a trail race Wed, a 50- mi slow bike ride and spin and yoga today... I move a lot most days doing cleaning jobs and add a dog walk in the woods to most days too,, this was my normal routine but I am feeling the scaring inside is kinda tender all along the ab region where the mr took place. Any body else have that sensation?

surromom2four 10 May 2012

You likely will get smaller, just give yourself time. I'm much smaller now than I was even 4 weeks after my TT. I started standing up straight really well around 18 days post-op. Even now I still swell -- if I eat too much, I swell. After I run, I swell a little, though not too badly. I always wake up small again in the morning, but I find watching my diet helps the most. The best part is that I'm running better and faster now, 4 months post TT, than I ever did before. Give yourself time to heal, and take it easy getting back into things. It will definitely get better!

Sunbum 10 May 2012

Had my TT 2 weeks ago, Looks pretty good, although I( get a bit nausiated looking at it. a bit sore and feel like i will NEVER be able to stand up completely straight again, lol. How long till I can stand up straight & not feel the pulling? Will I get smaller over time? While I can almost fit back into my old blue jeans, wondering if I will get any smaller or is this it?
Any comments on what to expect from here would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! ; )

runrmom 11 May 2012

The time will start to go by a little faster as you add activities back into your schedule -- but it still takes a lot of patience and a slow build-up. All worth it, though! You most likely still have quite a bit of swelling at 2 wks post-op, so you should get smaller as the weeks go by. I'm 12 weeks out...even though I still have a little swelling over the scar line, I'm definitely smaller. But it took 4-6 weeks at least. Running is going well -- I'm working with a running coach to improve my form -- ran 30+ miles last week including a 10k race.